🇺🇸United States

Cetaphil vs Simple

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

Cetaphil and Simple are trusted American and British skincare brands offering thoughtful cleansers, moisturizers, and other essentials formulated with ingredients like glycerin, niacinamide, and panthenol. The former suits combination and acne-prone skin best with hydrating glycerin and barrier-restoring properties, while the latter favors acne-prone and oily skin types with soothing toners and micellar waters. Ultimately, the two differ in their specific targeted concerns and heritage, yet both deliver proven benefits for skin health.

Cetaphil is an American skincare brand founded in 1947 and owned by Galderma Group AG.

en.wikipedia.orgcetaphil.co.uk

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 Cetaphil and Simple products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Cetaphil vs Simple products

People Say

CetaphilSimple
  • Gentle on sensitive skin Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “The only thing my reactive skin tolerates. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
    • “No breakouts since switching to this. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
    • “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”
  • Hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “cleared up flaky skin — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “healed my dry patches — Cetaphil Moisturising Cream”
    • “banished dryness within days — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “Instantly boosts skin's hydration... face doesn't feel dry and tight. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
  • Texture and weight Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “absorbs instantly — Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Absorbs quickly into skin without residue — Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion”
    • “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
    • “absorbs very quickly — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
  • Dermatologist and value praise Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “great value for money — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
    • “super affordable — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “Can't beat the price for the quality. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “recommended by my derm — Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser”
  • Versatile use and application Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “great for face and body — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “removes excess oil — Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser”
    • “Takes off any makeup residue and makes my face feel refreshed. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “Best morning cleanser — Simple Refreshing Facial Wash”
  • Fragrance-free and scent issues Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Love that it has absolutely no scent. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “love that it's alcohol-free — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
    • “No strong smell — Simple Refreshing Facial Wash”
    • “truly no smell — Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion”
  • Makeup removal difficulties Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Doesn't take off mascara at all. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
    • “doesn't remove mascara — Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser”
    • “Struggles with mascara. — Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser”
    • “Did not remove my mascara very well at all. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
  • Dryness and lack of moisture Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Felt a little stripping on sensitive areas. — Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser”
    • “Skin felt dehydrated after 30 minutes — Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion”
    • “not moisturizing enough — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “skin felt tight after an hour — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
  • Formula changes and irritation Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “New bottle ingredients do not match... lower amounts of beneficial ingredients. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “new formula stings — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “burned upon application — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
    • “New version burns my face. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”

Cetaphil vs Simple routines for dry skin

Buy Cetaphil routine · $134.48 · 83% fitBuy Simple routine · $128.28 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Cetaphil vs Simple routines for oily skin

Buy Simple routine · $280.29 · 88% fitBuy Cetaphil routine · $331.64 · 85% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Cetaphil vs Simple routines for combination skin

Buy Cetaphil routine · $285.23 · 89% fitBuy Simple routine · $259.77 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

Cetaphil or Simple: which is better?

Both Cetaphil and Simple offer equal routine fit levels across all skin types on this page. Niacinamide, which is found in both brands, helps reduce skin pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

What is the difference between Cetaphil and Simple?

Cetaphil is owned by Galderma and provides a larger variety of products on this page, while Simple is owned by Unilever and offers value-friendly options. Both brands feature fragrance-free formulas and share key ingredients like niacinamide and glycerin to help nourish the skin.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Cetaphil or Simple for dry skin?

Both Cetaphil and Simple reach a High routine fit level for dry skin on this page. Cetaphil features products with key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, which helps hydrate and maintain skin moisture.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Cetaphil or Simple: which cleanser is better?

Both brands offer gentle cleansers that help support sensitive and acne-prone skin, with Cetaphil earning a superior Lovi fit level for its Gentle Skin Cleanser on dry and dry sensitive skin. Reviewers note that Cetaphil provides mostly gentle, non-stripping cleansers while Simple offers effective daily makeup removers.

Which is more affordable, Cetaphil or Simple?

Simple stands out for its value-friendly moisturizers, as supported by dermatologist and value praise on the page. Both brands offer products on this page with fragrance-free formulas.

When was Cetaphil founded and who is its parent company?

Cetaphil was founded in 1947 in the United States and is owned by Galderma Group AG.

Which Cetaphil product contains fragrance, and what is it?

The Oily Skin Cleanser is the only product among the Cetaphil items on this page that lists a fragrance.

Which brand does better regarding dermatologist and value praise?

Simple does better for dermatologist and value praise. Reviewers frequently mention its budget-friendly options and dermatologist approval.

Cetaphil or Simple for oily skin?

Both brands achieve a High routine fit for oily skin, making them equal choices on this page. Niacinamide helps control skin aging and pigmentation.

Antioxidants, 2021

Cetaphil or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

Both Cetaphil and Simple offer products on this page that achieve an equal high routine fit for dry skin. Topical niacinamide, featured in both brands, helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and control skin aging.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Cetaphil or Simple for sensitive skin?

Both Cetaphil and Simple are equal choices for sensitive skin, as the products on this page achieve a High routine fit for this skin type. Niacinamide helps control skin aging and pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Cetaphil or Simple for acne-prone skin?

Both Cetaphil and Simple offer a High routine fit for acne-prone skin. The products on this page help hydrate and soothe without clogging pores.

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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