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Simple vs Shiseido

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

Simple and Shiseido are a British brand founded in 1960 and a Japanese brand founded in 1872, respectively. Simple is known for its gentle moisturizers, makeup removers, cleansers, and toners enriched with niacinamide and glycerin, suiting acne-prone and oily skin best, while Shiseido is beloved for its thoughtful array of moisturizers, cleansers, sunscreens, and serums formulated with glycerin, catering best to sensitive and mature skin. These brands differ in their origins, specific key ingredients, and ideal skin types, offering tailored daily care through meticulous formulations.

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

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

Shiseido is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1872 and owned by Shiseido Company, Limited.

corp.shiseido.comen.wikipedia.orgmarketscreener.com

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

Popular Simple vs Shiseido products

People Say

SimpleShiseido
  • Hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Immediate sensation of comfort — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
    • “skin feels plump, soft and nourished, eliminates dryness, bouncy feel — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
    • “Skin feels more hydrated — Shiseido Activating Essence”
    • “banished dryness within days — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
  • 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 irritation — Shiseido Essential Energy Hydrating Cream”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
    • “absorbs very quickly — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “absorbs really well — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “Airy-soft texture — Shiseido Essential Energy Hydrating Cream”
  • Luxurious texture and feel Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “silky smooth, rich but non-greasy, absorbs quickly, melts into skin — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
    • “Velvety, rich cream texture — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
    • “Velvety texture — Shiseido FUTURE SOLUTION LX”
  • Effective cleansing Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Takes off any makeup residue and makes my face feel refreshed. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “Best morning cleanser — Simple Refreshing Facial Wash”
    • “removes last traces of makeup — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
    • “face feels squeaky clean — Shiseido Clarifying Cleansing Foam”
  • Affordable 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”
  • High price point Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “Very expensive for the size — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
  • Strong fragrance and scent Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “old lady smell — Shiseido Eudermine Revitalizing Essence”
  • Not enough moisture Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Not enough for winter — Shiseido Essential Energy Hydrating Cream”
    • “feels a bit oily — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream Enriched”
    • “not moisturizing enough — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”

Simple vs Shiseido routines for dry skin

Buy Simple routine · $128.28 · 83% fitBuy Shiseido routine · $393.62 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Simple vs Shiseido routines for oily skin

Buy Simple routine · $280.29 · 88% fitBuy Shiseido routine · $581.17 · 85% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Simple vs Shiseido routines for combination skin

Buy Simple routine · $259.77 · 87% fitBuy Shiseido routine · $550.65 · 84% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

Simple or Shiseido: which is better?

Simple is better for value-friendly pricing and sensitive skin care, while Shiseido is better for deep hydration and luxurious textures. The products on this page for Simple are fragrance-free, whereas many Shiseido products contain fragrance. Topical niacinamide in Simple helps reduce skin pigmentation, and topical hyaluronic acid in Shiseido helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

What is the difference between Simple and Shiseido?

Simple offers affordable, fragrance-free products that reviewers often praise as gentle and lightweight, while Shiseido provides luxurious, deeply hydrating formulas that frequently feature added fragrances.

Simple or Shiseido for dry skin?

Simple offers a High routine fit for dry skin, while Shiseido provides an Average routine fit. Reviewers note that the products on this page for Simple provide lightweight and value-friendly moisturizers, whereas Shiseido is recognized for deep hydration and luxurious textures.

Simple or Shiseido: which cleanser is better?

Simple offers better cleansers on this page because reviewers mention them as effective and cleansing, whereas Shiseido has cleansers with a caution or warning for dry skin.

Which is more affordable, Simple or Shiseido?

Simple is more affordable because reviewers mostly mention its affordable value, whereas reviewers mostly mention Shiseido's high price point.

Simple or Shiseido: which brand is better for mature skin?

Simple is better for mature skin due to its affordable and lightweight moisturizers, whereas Shiseido products often feature a high price point and strong fragrance. Reviewers note that Simple provides effective daily makeup removers, while Lovi rates Simple's routine fit for mature skin as High.

Do Simple products contain fragrance like Shiseido products do?

Simple products are fragrance-free, whereas most Shiseido products on this page contain fragrance. Every product on the Simple page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, while 15 out of 20 Shiseido products list fragrance.

Simple or Shiseido: which brand is better for reducing dark spots?

Simple features niacinamide across its products on this page, which helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and skin aging as supported by studies. Shiseido also offers multiple products with High fit levels for skin with dark spots, though reviewers note its higher price point. Lovi rates the routine fit for skin with dark spots as High for both brands.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Simple or Shiseido for oily skin?

Both brands fit oily skin well with an equal High routine fit level. Reviewers mention that Simple provides effective cleansing and lightweight moisturizers, while Shiseido offers deep hydration and deep-cleansing cleansers.

Simple or Shiseido: which moisturizer is better?

Simple offers lightweight and value-friendly moisturizers that are noted by reviewers, while Shiseido provides firming, line-reducing, and deep-hydrating creams with luxurious textures. For dry skin, the products on this page have an average Lovi fit level across both brands.

Simple or Shiseido for sensitive skin?

Simple is better for sensitive skin because the products on this page are completely fragrance-free and reviewers frequently note that the brand is gentle on sensitive skin. Shiseido also offers high routine fit for sensitive skin, but many of its products list fragrance.

Simple or Shiseido for acne-prone skin?

Simple is better suited for acne-prone skin, as it is a brand-focused routine fit for acne-prone skin is High while Shiseido is High. Simple products on this page list no fragrance, whereas Shiseido often features a strong fragrance, which may cause irritation.

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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