🇺🇸United States

Neutrogena vs Simple

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

Neutrogena and Simple are two well-established skincare brands that offer gentle cleansers, moisturizers, and toners. The American brand is thoughtfully loved for its nourishing moisturizers, protective sunscreens, gentle cleansers, and refreshing toners formulated with glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and dimethicone, while the British brand is lovingly chosen for its gentle moisturizers, makeup removers, cleansers, and toners enriched with niacinamide and glycerin. The first brand suits sensitive skin and acne-prone skin best with formulations that respect delicate cutaneous barriers, whereas the second brand suits acne-prone skin and oily skin best because of its carefully balanced, skin-loving formulations. They differ primarily in their specific ingredient profiles and regional heritage, as both provide reliable daily care tailored to unique skin needs.

Neutrogena is an American skincare brand founded in 1930 and owned by Kimberly-Clark Corporation since 2026.

investor.kimberly-clark.comen.wikipedia.orginvestors.kenvue.com

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

Popular Neutrogena vs Simple products

People Say

NeutrogenaSimple
  • Acne-Safe and Gentle Formula Mostly 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”
    • “leaves skin soft and balanced — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
  • Deep and Intense Hydration Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Skin looked plumper and radiant — Neutrogena HYDRO BOOST WATER CREAM”
    • “Quenches dry skin instantly — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Hydrogel Mask”
    • “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 Non-Greasy Texture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Absorbs instantly without sticky residue — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
    • “absorbs instantly — Neutrogena COLLAGEN BANK Moisturizer”
    • “Absorbs into skin without residue. — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
    • “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
  • Makeup Compatibility and Base Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Foundation glides right over it — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
    • “Concealer doesn't cake or get stuck in crevices — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Eye Gel-Cream”
    • “makeup lays well — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “works well under foundation — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
  • Affordable Price and Value 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”
    • “great price point — Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover”
  • Fast Absorption Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “Absorbs quickly — Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream”
    • “Absorbs really well into my skin without leaving a greasy residue behind. — Neutrogena Retinol Regenerating Cream”
    • “Applies easily and quickly absorbs. — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
    • “absorbs really well — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
  • Insufficient Hydration or Dryness Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Not moisturizing enough for winter months — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
    • “Not rich enough for very dry mature skin — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Eye Gel-Cream”
    • “not rich enough — Neutrogena COLLAGEN BANK Moisturizer”
    • “not moisturizing enough — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
  • Packaging and Design Issues Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Worried about the snap top bottle leaking when travelling. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “The cap broke off immediately. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “hard to get last bit out — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “Formula change ruined it — Neutrogena HYDRO BOOST WATER CREAM”
  • Poor Makeup Removal and Waterproof Issues Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “doesn't remove mascara — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
    • “Did not remove my mascara very well at all. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”

Neutrogena vs Simple routines for dry skin

Buy Simple routine · $128.28 · 83% fitBuy Neutrogena routine · $121.45 · 75% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Neutrogena vs Simple routines for oily skin

Buy Simple routine · $280.29 · 88% fitBuy Neutrogena routine · $263.48 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Neutrogena vs Simple routines for combination skin

Buy Simple routine · $259.77 · 87% fitBuy Neutrogena routine · $243.38 · 77% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

Neutrogena or Simple: which is better?

Neutrogena and Simple both provide an equal fit for most skin types on this page, but Neutrogena is better for lightweight textures and fast absorption, while Simple is better for value and gentle formulas. Retinol in Neutrogena helps stimulate collagen accumulation in naturally aged skin.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Archives of Dermatology, 2007

What is the difference between Neutrogena and Simple?

Neutrogena is a United States brand founded in 1930, while Simple is a United Kingdom brand founded in 1960. For oily skin, Lovi rates Neutrogena at an Average fit and Simple at a High fit. Retinol in Neutrogena helps stimulate collagen accumulation in naturally aged human skin.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Archives of Dermatology, 2007

Neutrogena or Simple for dry skin?

Both Neutrogena and Simple achieve a High Lovi fit level for dry skin. Neutrogena features key ingredients like hyaluronic acid to help maintain moisture, while Simple offers entirely fragrance-free formulations across the products on this page.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Neutrogena or Simple: which cleanser is better?

Neutrogena is better for cleansers on this page, as its Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser achieves a Superior fit level for mature, acne-prone, sensitive, and combination skin. Simple features fewer cleanser options on this page, with its Refreshing Facial Wash offering an Average fit level for acne-prone skin.

Which is more affordable, Neutrogena or Simple?

Simple offers more affordable price and value than Neutrogena according to the review themes on this page.

Between Neutrogena and Simple, which brand offers better options for dry sensitive skin?

Simple offers better options for dry sensitive skin, with a High routine fit compared to Neutrogena's Average fit. The products on this page are entirely fragrance-free, which helps minimize irritation for sensitive skin.

Which brand has more fragrance-free products, Neutrogena or Simple?

Neutrogena has more fragrance-free products on this page, with 35 options, whereas Simple has every product listed as fragrance-free.

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

Neutrogena was founded in 1930 in the United States and has been owned by the Kimberly-Clark Corporation since 2026, while Simple was founded in 1960 in the United Kingdom and has been owned by Unilever PLC since 2011.

Neutrogena or Simple for oily skin?

Simple is a better fit for oily skin, offering a High Lovi fit level compared to Neutrogena's Average level for the products on this page.

Neutrogena or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

Neutrogena is better for lightweight and fast-absorbing moisturizers, while Simple offers better value-friendly options. Hyaluronic acid in Neutrogena moisturizers helps improve skin hydration, and retinol helps reduce signs of aging.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Neutrogena or Simple for sensitive skin?

Both Neutrogena and Simple achieve a High Lovi fit level for sensitive skin based on the products on this page. Neutrogena features a wide range of fragrance-free options and deeply hydrating moisturizers, while Simple provides completely fragrance-free formulations known for being gentle and sensitive-skin-friendly.

Neutrogena or Simple for acne-prone skin?

Both Neutrogena and Simple achieve a High routine fit for acne-prone skin on the products on this page. Simple does better for acne-safe and gentle formulas, while Neutrogena offers faster absorption and a lighter texture.

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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