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Simple vs Elemis

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

Simple and Elemis are British skincare brands offering distinct approaches to daily care. Simple is known for gentle moisturizers, makeup removers, cleansers, and toners enriched with niacinamide and glycerin that suit acne-prone and oily skin best. Conversely, the brand celebrated for nourishing serums, rich moisturizers, gentle cleansers, and refining toners featuring glycerin and shea suits dry and mature skin best. Both brands differ in their founding eras, corporate ownership, key botanical additives, and primary skin-type suitability.

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

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

Elemis is a British skincare brand founded in 1989 and owned by L'Occitane Group since 2019.

elemis.comau.elemis.comen.wikipedia.org

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

Popular Simple vs Elemis products

People Say

SimpleElemis
  • Gentle on sensitive skin Mostly MentionedRarely Noted
    • “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”
    • “no stinging or redness — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
  • Hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “banished dryness within days — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “Instantly boosts skin's hydration... face doesn't feel dry and tight. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “The cream really hydrates and my face looks amazing. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream”
    • “Quenches thirsty skin... immediate improvement. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy texture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Absorbs almost immediately, and my skin feels well hydrated all day. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “whipped silk feel — Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial”
    • “cloud-light gel formula — Elemis Pro-Collagen Eye Revive Mask”
    • “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
  • Skin smoothing and radiance Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “baby soft — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “healthy glow — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
  • Affordable price and value Often MentionedNot noted
    • “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”
  • Effective cleansing and makeup removal Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Takes off any makeup residue and makes my face feel refreshed. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “Best morning cleanser — Simple Refreshing Facial Wash”
    • “melts waterproof mascara — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
  • High price point Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “Complete waste of money for me. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Caused breakouts or skin reactions Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “caused cystic acne — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “terrible spots — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
    • “clogged my pores — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “Gave me tiny bumps on my forehead. — Simple Micellar Water”
  • Insufficient hydration or richness Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “not hydrating enough for winter — Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial”
    • “Great product, a bit heavy. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream”
    • “need more moisture — Elemis Peptide4 Eye Recovery Cream”
    • “not moisturizing enough — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”

Simple vs Elemis routines for dry skin

Buy Elemis routine · $557.99 · 88% fitBuy Simple routine · $128.28 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Simple vs Elemis routines for oily skin

Buy Simple routine · $280.29 · 88% fitBuy Elemis routine · $535.50 · 77% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Simple vs Elemis routines for combination skin

Buy Simple routine · $259.77 · 87% fitBuy Elemis routine · $524.50 · 79% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

Simple or Elemis: which is better?

Simple is better for those seeking gentle, value-friendly products with no fragrance, while Elemis is better for those wanting luxurious, smoothing skincare that often features fragrance.

What is the difference between Simple and Elemis?

Simple offers budget-friendly, fragrance-free products that are generally gentle on sensitive skin, whereas Elemis provides luxurious formulas that often include fragrance and focus on smoothing texture and adding a radiant glow.

Simple or Elemis for dry skin?

Both Simple and Elemis have an equivalent High routine fit level for dry skin. Simple features fragrance-free products on this page and is valued for being gentle and affordable, while Elemis offers luxurious, highly rated moisturizers like the Pro-Collagen Night Cream.

Simple or Elemis: which cleanser is better?

Simple is better for gentle daily cleansing and makeup removal, especially since the products on this page list no fragrance. Elemis also offers effective cleansers, but its range frequently includes added fragrance which may cause skin irritation for some users.

Which is more affordable, Simple or Elemis?

Simple is more affordable, as reviewers on the page mostly note Elemis for its high price point while praising Simple for value-friendly products.

Simple or Elemis: which brand is better suited for mature skin?

Simple and Elemis are both well-suited for mature skin, matching equally at a High routine fit level on the products on this page. Elemis features luxury moisturizers and skin-smoothing treatments that help target aging, while Simple provides gentle, fragrance-free daily care.

Do Simple products contain fragrance compared to Elemis?

Simple products on this page list no fragrance, whereas 18 out of 22 Elemis products on this page list fragrance in their ingredients.

Simple or Elemis: which brand offers better options for skin with dark spots?

Both brands offer solid options for skin with dark spots, with Simple standing out for products containing niacinamide, which helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Simple or Elemis for oily skin?

For oily skin, both Simple and Elemis have an equal High routine fit, with Simple being praised for value-friendly moisturizers and Elemis offering lighter, absorbing textures. Simple is better for avoiding fragrance, as every product on this page lists no fragrance, whereas Elemis includes fragrance in the majority of its products.

Simple or Elemis: which moisturizer is better?

Simple and Elemis both offer effective moisturizers, but they cater to different needs and budgets. Simple provides lightweight, value-friendly moisturizers featuring ingredients like niacinamide, while Elemis focuses on luxurious, highly hydrating formulas like the Pro-Collagen Marine Cream.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Simple or Elemis for sensitive skin?

Simple is a better choice for sensitive skin because the products on this page are fragrance-free and the brand does better with reviewers for being gentle on sensitive skin. Lovi rates the sensitive skin fit for the products on this page as generally high across Simple options.

Simple or Elemis for acne-prone skin?

Simple fits acne-prone skin best with its gentle, fragrance-free products on this page, whereas Elemis offers products that may sometimes cause skin irritation or breakouts. Reviewers note that Simple is especially gentle on sensitive skin and provides effective makeup removal, while Elemis stands out for smoother skin 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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