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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 creating gentle cleansers, moisturizers, and toners that feature key ingredients like glycerin. Simple is deeply loved for its makeup removers and its focus on niacinamide, which suits oily and acne-prone skin best. Conversely, Elemis is celebrated for its nourishing serums and rich moisturizers anchored by softening shea, making it ideal for mature and dry skin. While both brands support skin hydration and barrier function, they differ in their specialized ingredients and the specific skin types they target most effectively.

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 · 97% fit

Simple vs Elemis routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Simple vs Elemis routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Simple or Elemis: which is better?

Simple stands out for its budget-friendly pricing and gentleness on sensitive skin, while Elemis is favored for its luxurious textures and skin smoothing and radiance benefits.

What is the difference between Simple and Elemis?

Simple offers budget-friendly, gentle products that are well suited for sensitive skin, while Elemis provides luxurious formulas known for smoothing skin texture and creating a radiant glow.

Simple or Elemis for dry skin?

Both Simple and Elemis have an equal High routine fit level for dry skin. Simple products on this page list no fragrance, whereas Elemis products on this page may contain fragrance and a high price point.

Simple or Elemis: which cleanser is better?

Simple cleanser products on this page are better for being gentle on sensitive skin and offering effective daily makeup removal, while Elemis cleansers are often noted for a high price point.

Which is more affordable, Simple or Elemis?

Simple is more affordable, as reviewers mostly mention its affordable price and value, whereas Elemis has a mostly mentioned high price point.

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

Simple offers fragrance-free products, as every product on the Simple page lists no fragrance in its ingredients. In contrast, most products on the Elemis page contain fragrance.

Simple or Elemis: which provides better options for mature skin?

Both brands provide good options for mature skin, as their routines on this page reach an equal High fit level. Simple features fragrance-free products with key ingredients like niacinamide that may help control skin aging, while Elemis offers popular luxurious formulas like the Pro-Collagen Marine Cream.

Antioxidants, 2021The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Simple or Elemis: which is better for heavy makeup removal?

Simple does better for effective cleansing and makeup removal among the products on this page, though reviewers note that it sometimes struggles with heavy makeup.

Simple or Elemis for oily skin?

Both Simple and Elemis fit oily skin well, as the routine fit for oily skin is High for both brands on this page. Reviewers note that Simple offers affordable and gentle daily cleansing, while Elemis provides lightweight and smoothing treatments.

Simple or Elemis: which moisturizer is better?

Simple offers more value-friendly and lightweight moisturizers, while Elemis provides luxurious textured moisturizers with a high price point. Both brands feature moisturizers that help deliver hydration, though individual results may vary.

Simple or Elemis for sensitive skin?

Simple does better for sensitive skin as the brand is gentler on sensitive skin. Lovi rates the routine fit for sensitive skin as High for Simple.

Simple or Elemis for acne-prone skin?

Both Simple and Elemis have an equal High routine fit for acne-prone skin on the products on this page. Reviewers note that Simple is gentle on sensitive skin and effective for makeup removal, while Elemis provides smoother skin texture and a radiant glow, though it may occasionally cause skin reactions.

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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