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Anua vs Simple

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes · How the Fit score works

Anua and Simple are skincare brands founded in South Korea in 2019 and Britain in 1960, respectively. The Korean brand is known for moisturizers, toners, serums, and cleansers built around hyaluronic acid, heartleaf, and niacinamide, while the British brand offers gentle moisturizers, makeup removers, cleansers, and toners enriched with niacinamide and glycerin. Both lines suit oily acne-prone skin, though the former also fits dry skin best. They differ primarily in their specific standout formulations and targeted active ingredients, with the former emphasizing heartleaf and vitamin C alongside hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, and the latter relying on glycerin and niacinamide.

Anua is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2019 and owned by The Founders Inc..

prnewswire.comkedglobal.comtracxn.comv.daum.net

Simple is a British skincare brand founded in 1960 and owned by Unilever PLC since 2011.

en.wikipedia.orgsec.govprnewswire.comsimple.co.uk

This page compares some of the most popular Anua and Simple products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Anua vs Simple products

People Say

AnuaSimple
  • Soothes Redness and Sensitive Skin Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Does not cause any form of irritation on the skin which I love. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “The only cleanser that doesn't turn my face red. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “no artificial perfume — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “Calms my redness instantly — Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner”
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “complexion feels so plump — Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum”
    • “leaves skin plump — Anua Rice 70 Glow Milky Toner”
    • “banished dryness within days — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “Instantly boosts skin's hydration... face doesn't feel dry and tight. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
  • Lightweight and Fast-Absorbing Texture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “melts into skin — Anua Heartleaf Silky Moisture Sun Cream”
    • “Feels like water, not heavy oil — Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil”
    • “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
    • “absorbs very quickly — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
  • Cleansing and Exfoliation Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Dissolved my sebaceous filaments immediately — Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil”
    • “leaves my face soft, smooth, and fresh without dryness — Anua Rice Enzyme Brightening Cleansing Powder”
    • “Takes off any makeup residue and makes my face feel refreshed. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “Best morning cleanser — Simple Refreshing Facial Wash”
  • Miscellaneous Product Traits Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “zero white cast — Anua Heartleaf Silky Moisture Sun Cream”
    • “no scent — Anua Rice 70 Glow Milky Toner”
    • “Smells like fresh peaches — Anua PEACH 70% NIACINAMIDE SERUM”
    • “love that it's alcohol-free — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
  • Brightening and Dark Spot Fading Often MentionedNot noted
    • “Significant reduction in hyperpigmentation from acne scarring. — Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum”
    • “glass-like glow — Anua Rice 70 Glow Milky Toner”
    • “Gives a nice healthy glow — Anua PEACH 70% NIACINAMIDE SERUM”
  • Breakouts and Acne Complaints Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Gave me tiny bumps on my forehead. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “caused major breakouts — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “Gave me tiny red spots — Simple Refreshing Facial Wash”
    • “Wrecked my skin barrier — Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil”

Anua vs Simple routines for dry skin

Buy Anua routine · $147.85 · 85% fitBuy Simple routine · $128.28 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Anua vs Simple routines for oily skin

Buy Simple routine · $280.29 · 88% fitBuy Anua routine · $215.75 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Anua vs Simple routines for combination skin

Buy Simple routine · $259.77 · 87% fitBuy Anua routine · $190.75 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

Anua or Simple: which is better?

Both Anua and Simple are a good choice since they offer an equal level of routine fit across all skin types. Anua does better for brightening and dark spot fading, while Simple does better for soothing redness and sensitive skin.

What is the difference between Anua and Simple?

Anua and Simple differ primarily in their product variety, ingredient profiles, and specific skincare strengths, with Anua excelling in brightening and dark spot fading while Simple focuses on soothing sensitive skin. Both brands offer fragrance-free products on this page and achieve equal routine fit levels across all skin types.

Anua or Simple for oily skin?

Both Anua and Simple offer a High routine fit for oily skin. Anua is especially known for lightweight toners and brightening serums, while Simple provides gentle makeup removers and value-friendly moisturizers.

Anua or Simple: which cleanser is better?

Anua offers a stronger cleanser lineup on this page, with products like the Heartleaf Quercetin Pore Deep Cleansing Foam achieving a High fit for acne-prone skin, while Simple products such as the Refreshing Facial Wash generally show an Average fit.

Which is more affordable, Anua or Simple?

Neither brand's pricing is listed on this page, so a direct comparison of affordability is not available from the provided facts.

What are the key ingredients used across Anua and Simple skincare products?

Anua products feature key ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, heartleaf, niacinamide, glycerin, ceramide, panthenol, and centella asiatica. Simple products rely on niacinamide and glycerin across the products on this page.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

How do the founding years and corporate ownerships of Anua and Simple compare?

Anua was founded in 2019 in South Korea and is owned by The Founders Inc., whereas Simple was founded in 1960 in the United Kingdom and has been owned by Unilever PLC since 2011.

Which brand performs better for brightening and dark spot fading based on review themes?

Anua performs better for brightening and dark spot fading based on review themes. The products on this page feature key ingredients like niacinamide, which helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and suppress melanosome transfer.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Anua or Simple for sensitive skin?

Both Anua and Simple are a great match for sensitive skin, as Lovi rates their routines as High for this skin type. Simple does better at soothing redness and sensitive skin, while Anua stands out for brightening and dark spot fading.

Anua or Simple for acne-prone skin?

Both Anua and Simple are a High fit for acne-prone skin on the products on this page, but Anua is better for brightening and dark spot fading.

Research behind their key ingredients

Behind this comparison

Lovi compares products by their fit scores, calculated from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

How does it fit your skin?

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