🇩🇪Germany

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 known for offering gentle cleansers, moisturizers, and toners formulated with glycerin. Simple suits oily skin and acne-prone skin best with niacinamide, whereas Elemis suits dry skin and mature skin best with shea butter. While both brands harness glycerin to improve hydration and barrier function, they differ through their distinct ingredients and target skin types.

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

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Simple vs Elemis routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Simple vs Elemis routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Simple or Elemis: which is better?

Simple and Elemis both fit all skin types at an equal level on the products on this page, but Simple is better for gentle care and affordability while Elemis offers luxurious textures and skin smoothing.

What is the difference between Simple and Elemis?

Simple offers budget-friendly, fragrance-free products on this page that are particularly gentle on sensitive skin, whereas Elemis provides a more luxurious range focused on skin smoothing and radiance, though its products often carry a higher price point and frequent fragrance. Both brands achieve equal routine fit levels across major skin types, but Simple is preferred for value and simple cleansing while Elemis is noted for lightweight textures and advanced anti-aging treatments.

Simple or Elemis for dry skin?

Both Simple and Elemis fit dry skin well, as Lovi rates their routines for dry skin as High. Simple is known for being gentle and value-friendly, while Elemis offers luxurious, hydrating moisturizers and smoother skin texture, though it comes at a higher price point.

Simple or Elemis: which cleanser is better?

Simple offers the products on this page that are more gentle on sensitive skin, whereas Elemis provides cleansers with a luxurious texture and a radiant glow. Reviewers frequently mention that Simple excels in effective cleansing and makeup removal.

Which is more affordable, Simple or Elemis?

Simple is more affordable, as reviewers often mention its affordable price and value while Elemis has a high price point.

Simple or Elemis: which brand offers fragrance-free products?

Simple offers fragrance-free options across the products on this page, as every product lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Simple or Elemis: which brand is better for anti-aging and mature skin?

Elemis is better for anti-aging and mature skin on the products on this page, offering targeted formulas like the Pro-Collagen Marine Cream that has a Superior fit level for mature skin. Niacinamide, a key ingredient found across Simple products, also helps to control skin aging and pigmentation.

Antioxidants, 2021The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Simple or Elemis: which brand is better at providing lightweight hydration?

Elemis is better at providing lightweight hydration, as the products on this page offer lightweight and absorbing moisturizers and eye products. Lovi rates Elemis as a High fit for dry skin.

Simple or Elemis for oily skin?

Both Simple and Elemis have an equal High routine fit for oily skin. Simple is often preferred for offering affordable value with no-fragrance formulas, while Elemis is frequently noted for its smoother skin texture and radiant glow despite a higher price point.

Simple or Elemis: which moisturizer is better?

When comparing the moisturizers on this page, Simple offers lightweight, value-friendly options that reviewers mostly mention for being gentle, while Elemis provides luxurious, hydrating formulas that often give a radiant glow. Lovi rates the routine fit for both brands as High across all skin types.

Simple or Elemis for sensitive skin?

Simple is better for sensitive skin because it is gentler and every product on the products on this page lists no fragrance, whereas Elemis often features strong fragrance and skin irritation.

Simple or Elemis for acne-prone skin?

Simple helps acne-prone skin well with gentle products that list no fragrance and feature key ingredients like niacinamide. Lovi rates the routine fit for acne-prone skin as High.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

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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