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Simple vs Minimalist

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

Simple and Minimalist are two skincare brands owned by Unilever PLC, with the former originating in Britain in 1960 and the latter in India in 2020. Simple offers gentle moisturizers, makeup removers, cleansers, and toners featuring niacinamide and glycerin, while the newer brand provides sunscreens, moisturizers, and cleansers. Both suit oily and acne-prone skin best, though they differ in their specific product ranges and founding eras.

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

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

Minimalist is an Indian skincare brand founded in 2020 and owned by Unilever PLC since 2025.

m.economictimes.comunilever.combeminimalist.copersonalcareinsights.com

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

Popular Simple vs Minimalist products

People Say

SimpleMinimalist
  • Gentle on sensitive skin Mostly MentionedNot 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”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
    • “absorbs very quickly — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “absorbs quickly and doesn't feel greasy — Minimalist Vitamin B5 10% Moisturizer”
  • Hydrating and non-drying Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “banished dryness within days — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “Instantly boosts skin's hydration... face doesn't feel dry and tight. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “Leaves my face feeling soft, not tight. — Simple Micellar Water”
  • Fragrance-free formula Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “zero smell — Minimalist Vitamin B5 10% Moisturizer”
    • “great for sensitive skin — Minimalist Salicylic Acid + LHA 2% Face Cleanser”
    • “Love that it has absolutely no scent. — Simple Micellar Water”
  • Good for oily skin Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “perfect moisturizer for oily skin — Minimalist Vitamin B5 10% Moisturizer”
    • “keeps skin oil-free for hours — Minimalist Salicylic Acid + LHA 2% Face Cleanser”
  • Moisturizing formula Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “very moisturizing — Minimalist SPF 50 Sunscreen”
    • “calmed it when my skin was super irritated — Minimalist Vitamin B5 10% Moisturizer”
  • Caused breakouts or reactions Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “kinda got some closed comedones — Minimalist Vitamin B5 10% Moisturizer”
    • “Gave me tiny bumps on my forehead. — Simple Micellar Water”
  • Chemical or unusual smell Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Smells like chemicals — Simple Refreshing Facial Wash”
    • “smells like chemicals — Minimalist Salicylic Acid + LHA 2% Face Cleanser”

Simple vs Minimalist routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Simple vs Minimalist routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Simple vs Minimalist routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Simple or Minimalist: which is better?

Simple and Minimalist both offer fragrance-free products on this page, but they suit different needs. Simple is better for sensitive skin, while Minimalist is superior for oily and acne-prone skin.

What is the difference between Simple and Minimalist?

Simple offers gentle, sensitive-skin-friendly makeup removers and hydrating daily cleansers where the products on this page have a High fit for sensitive skin. Minimalist provides fragrance-free formulas with a Superior fit for oily and acne-prone skin.

Simple or Minimalist for dry skin?

For dry skin, the products on this page for both Simple and Minimalist achieve an equal High routine fit level. Reviewers note that Simple provides gentle, sensitive-skin-friendly and hydrating makeup removers, while every product on this page for both brands lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Simple or Minimalist: which moisturizer is better?

Minimalist is better for moisturization, as the products on this page are rated as more moisturizing than Simple.

Which is more affordable, Simple or Minimalist?

The provided page facts do not contain pricing information to determine whether Simple or Minimalist is more affordable.

Where and when were Simple and Minimalist founded?

Simple was founded in 1960 in the United Kingdom, and Minimalist was founded in 2020 in India.

Do products from Simple and Minimalist contain fragrance?

Every product on this page from Simple and Minimalist lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Which brand performs better for oily skin and combination skin according to the routine fit?

For oily skin and combination skin, Minimalist achieves a Superior routine fit on the products on this page, whereas Simple reaches a High fit level.

Simple or Minimalist for oily skin?

For oily skin, Minimalist has a Superior routine fit while Simple has a High routine fit on Lovi. Both brands offer products on this page featuring no fragrance in their ingredients.

Simple or Minimalist for sensitive skin?

Simple has a High fit for sensitive skin on Lovi and reviewers say it is gentle on sensitive skin, whereas Minimalist also has a High fit on Lovi.

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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