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The INKEY List vs Simple

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

The INKEY List and Simple are British skincare brands offering reliable solutions built around nourishing ingredients like glycerin and niacinamide. The INKEY List features targeted moisturizers, serums, toners, and eye products that suit sensitive and combination skin best, while Simple is known for gentle moisturizers, makeup removers, cleansers, and toners favored by oily and acne-prone skin. Both brands differ in their formulations and specific target concerns, yet each delivers proven hydration and barrier support through thoughtfully chosen active components.

The INKEY List is a British skincare brand founded in 2018 and owned by Brand Evangelists for Beauty Limited.

cosmeticsbusiness.comprnewswire.comtheinkeylist.comtracxn.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 The INKEY List and Simple products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular The INKEY List vs Simple products

People Say

The INKEY ListSimple
  • Gentle on sensitive skin Sometimes NotedMostly 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”
    • “Safe and gentle especially for my dry, sensitive skin — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
  • Affordable price point Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Good for the price — The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser”
    • “One of the best balms for quality and also price — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
    • “unbeatable value — The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
    • “great value for money — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
  • Hydration and moisturizing Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Super hydrating — The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum”
    • “intense nourishment — The INKEY List Collagen Peptide Serum”
    • “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 texture and fast absorption Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “sits beautifully under makeup — The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream”
    • “Gel consistency — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
    • “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
    • “absorbs very quickly — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
  • Makeup compatibility and performance Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “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”
    • “Melts away makeup and impurities without drying — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
  • Acne and blemish control Often MentionedNot noted
    • “Free of active acne — The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser”
    • “Skin instantly looks less oily — The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser”
    • “Visibly reduces acne scars — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
  • Packaging and texture issues Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Worried about the snap top bottle leaking when travelling. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “The cap broke off immediately. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “feels like a film — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “Tube leaks liquified oil when opened — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
  • Lack of hydration or drying effects Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “have dry skin but this doesn't feel hydrating at all — The INKEY List Omega Water Cream”
    • “leaves under eye dry — The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream”
    • “not moisturizing enough — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “need to apply multiple layers — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”

The INKEY List vs Simple routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

The INKEY List vs Simple routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

The INKEY List vs Simple routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

The INKEY List or Simple: which is better?

Both The INKEY List and Simple are great choices, with The INKEY List doing better for acne and blemish control and Simple doing better for being gentle on sensitive skin. Reviewers note that both brands offer good hydration and lightweight textures.

What is the difference between The INKEY List and Simple?

Simple does better for sensitive skin, while The INKEY List offers a more affordable price point. Both brands provide fragrance-free products on this page.

The INKEY List or Simple for dry skin?

Both The INKEY List and Simple have a High routine fit for dry skin. Reviewers note that both brands offer hydrating moisturizers.

The INKEY List or Simple: which cleanser is better?

Both The INKEY List and Simple offer cleansers on the products on this page, but they cater to different skin needs. The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser helps with acne-prone and oily skin, whereas Simple Refreshing Facial Wash is designed as a gentle option for sensitive skin.

Which is more affordable, The INKEY List or Simple?

The INKEY List does better than Simple for affordability as an affordable price point. Reviewers often mention its affordable serums and affordable moisturizers.

Which brand is better for managing skin with dark spots, The INKEY List or Simple?

The INKEY List does better for managing skin with dark spots. Both brands offer products that help with dark spots, but The INKEY List features a wider range of targeted treatments.

Between The INKEY List and Simple, which brand is gentler on sensitive skin according to reviewers?

Simple is gentler on sensitive skin according to reviewers. The products on this page for both brands contain no fragrance in their ingredients.

How do the founding years and corporate owners of The INKEY List and Simple compare?

The INKEY List was founded in 2018 in the United Kingdom and is owned by Brand Evangelists for Beauty Limited. In comparison, Simple was founded in 1960 in the United Kingdom and has been owned by Unilever PLC since 2011.

The INKEY List or Simple for oily skin?

Both The INKEY List and Simple offer a High routine fit for oily skin on the products on this page. Reviewers note that The INKEY List provides an affordable price point, while Simple is noted for being gentle on sensitive skin.

The INKEY List or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

Both The INKEY List and Simple offer a range of moisturizers that provide a High routine fit for dry skin, though reviewers note that The INKEY List excels at affordability while Simple focuses on gentle, value-friendly hydration. The products on this page list no fragrance in their ingredients.

The INKEY List or Simple for sensitive skin?

The INKEY List fits sensitive skin better, as Lovi rates its fit as Superior compared to High for Simple. Reviewers also note that Simple is gentle on sensitive skin, but The INKEY List provides more targeted options across its range.

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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