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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 established skincare brands, with the former founded in America in 1930 and the latter established in Britain in 1960. The American brand is widely loved for its moisturizers, sunscreens, cleansers, and toners relying on glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and dimethicone, which suit dry and mature skin best. Meanwhile, the British brand is deeply loved for its gentle moisturizers, makeup removers, cleansers, and toners incorporating niacinamide and glycerin, which suit oily and acne-prone skin best. While both utilize glycerin to enhance hydration and support barrier function, they differ in their primary ingredient focuses and targeted skin types.

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

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Neutrogena vs Simple routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Neutrogena vs Simple routines for combination skin

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Questions and answers

Neutrogena or Simple: which is better?

Both Neutrogena and Simple achieve equal routine fit levels across most skin types on this page. Neutrogena is better for lightweight textures and fast absorption, while Simple offers more affordable value and a gentle formula.

What is the difference between Neutrogena and Simple?

Neutrogena and Simple both offer products that achieve a High routine fit across most skin types, but Simple is better for dry sensitive skin where it reaches a High fit compared to Neutrogena at Average. Neutrogena features key ingredients like retinol and hyaluronic acid which help with anti-aging and hydration, while Simple relies on niacinamide and glycerin to help soothe sensitive skin. Furthermore, all products on the Simple page list no fragrance, whereas a few Neutrogena products contain fragrance.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

Neutrogena or Simple for dry skin?

Both Neutrogena and Simple achieve a High routine fit level for dry skin on this page, but Neutrogena stands out for its deeply hydrating and fast-absorbing moisturizers, while Simple offers value-friendly options. Hyaluronic acid helps improve skin hydration in dry skin formulas.

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

Neutrogena or Simple: which cleanser is better?

Neutrogena offers a wider variety of cleansers with higher Lovi fit levels across skin types, such as the Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser which is rated Superior for mature, acne-prone, sensitive, and combination skin. Simple features gentler everyday options like the Refreshing Facial Wash, but its cleansers generally score lower fit levels for dry and sensitive skin compared to Neutrogena.

Which is more affordable, Neutrogena or Simple?

Simple is more affordable than Neutrogena, as it is noted for offering value-friendly moisturizers. Lovi rates both brands equally for their overall routine fit across most skin types.

Between Neutrogena and Simple, which brand offers better fragrance-free options?

Simple offers a higher proportion of fragrance-free options because every product on its page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas four Neutrogena products contain fragrance. Both brands offer high routine fit levels for sensitive skin.

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

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

Neutrogena or Simple: which brand performs better for dry sensitive skin?

Simple performs better for dry sensitive skin, as Lovi rates its routine fit as High compared to Neutrogena's Average fit level.

Neutrogena or Simple for oily skin?

Both Neutrogena and Simple achieve a High routine fit level for oily skin. Neutrogena is noted for its lightweight and non-greasy texture, while Simple offers an acne-safe and gentle formula.

Neutrogena or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

Neutrogena offers deeply hydrating and fast-absorbing moisturizers, while Simple provides lightweight, value-friendly formulas. Lovi rates the routine fit for both brands as high for most skin types, making them equally good options depending on whether you prioritize anti-aging ingredients like retinol or gentle, fragrance-free hydration.

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

Neutrogena or Simple for sensitive skin?

Both Neutrogena and Simple achieve a High routine fit for sensitive skin. Neutrogena offers a wider range with specialized ingredients like hyaluronic acid and retinol, while Simple features fragrance-free formulations across all products on this page.

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

Neutrogena or Simple for acne-prone skin?

Both Neutrogena and Simple are a High fit for acne-prone skin on the products on this page. Neutrogena offers more products specifically targeting blemishes and lightweight textures, while Simple provides completely fragrance-free formulations.

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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