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Simple vs Shiseido

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

Simple and Shiseido are two esteemed skincare brands offering distinct approaches to daily care. The British brand is known for gentle moisturizers, makeup removers, cleansers, and toners with niacinamide and glycerin, suiting oily and acne-prone skin best, while the Japanese brand provides thoughtful moisturizers, cleansers, sunscreens, and serums formulated with glycerin, catering ideally to sensitive and mature skin. These offerings differ as the former relies on niacinamide to reduce hyperpigmentation and aging signs alongside glycerin, whereas the latter utilizes glycerin to significantly improve stratum corneum hydration.

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

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

Shiseido is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1872 and owned by Shiseido Company, Limited.

corp.shiseido.comen.wikipedia.orgmarketscreener.com

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

Popular Simple vs Shiseido products

People Say

SimpleShiseido
  • Hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Immediate sensation of comfort — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
    • “skin feels plump, soft and nourished, eliminates dryness, bouncy feel — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
    • “Skin feels more hydrated — Shiseido Activating Essence”
    • “banished dryness within days — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
  • 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 irritation — Shiseido Essential Energy Hydrating Cream”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
    • “absorbs very quickly — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “absorbs really well — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “Airy-soft texture — Shiseido Essential Energy Hydrating Cream”
  • Luxurious texture and feel Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “silky smooth, rich but non-greasy, absorbs quickly, melts into skin — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
    • “Velvety, rich cream texture — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
    • “Velvety texture — Shiseido FUTURE SOLUTION LX”
  • Effective cleansing Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “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”
    • “face feels squeaky clean — Shiseido Clarifying Cleansing Foam”
  • Affordable 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”
  • High price point Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “Very expensive for the size — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
  • Strong fragrance and scent Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “old lady smell — Shiseido Eudermine Revitalizing Essence”
  • Not enough moisture Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Not enough for winter — Shiseido Essential Energy Hydrating Cream”
    • “feels a bit oily — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream Enriched”
    • “not moisturizing enough — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”

Simple vs Shiseido routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Simple vs Shiseido routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Simple vs Shiseido routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Simple or Shiseido: which is better?

Simple is better for value-friendly pricing and sensitive skin, whereas Shiseido excels in deep hydration and luxurious textures. Both brands offer fragrance-free options among the products on this page, but Shiseido frequently includes added fragrance.

What is the difference between Simple and Shiseido?

Simple offers budget-friendly, fragrance-free products that reviewers note are gentle on sensitive skin, whereas Shiseido features luxurious, higher-priced formulas with deep hydration and prominent fragrance. Niacinamide in Simple helps control skin aging and pigmentation, while hyaluronic acid in Shiseido benefits skin quality and signs of skin aging.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Simple or Shiseido for dry skin?

Simple is better for dry skin because its products on this page have a High routine fit compared to Shiseido's Average fit. Shiseido's formulas frequently feature a strong fragrance, whereas every product on Simple's page lists no fragrance.

Simple or Shiseido: which cleanser is better?

Simple features effective cleansing and is gentle on sensitive skin, whereas Shiseido provides deep-cleansing and efficient cleansers with luxurious textures. Reviewers note that Simple offers better cleansing effectiveness.

Which is more affordable, Simple or Shiseido?

Simple is more affordable, as reviewers on the page frequently note its affordable value, whereas Shiseido's high price point is mostly mentioned.

Simple or Shiseido: which brand is better for mature skin?

Simple has a High Lovi fit for mature skin, while Shiseido also offers high-performing options like its Essential Energy Hydrating Day Cream which holds a Superior Lovi fit level for mature skin. Reviewers note that Simple provides lightweight, value-friendly moisturizers, whereas Shiseido is known for firming and line-reducing moisturizers.

Do Simple products contain fragrance like Shiseido products do?

Simple products do not contain fragrance, whereas many Shiseido products on this page list fragrance in their ingredients.

Simple or Shiseido: which brand offers better hydration and moisture?

Shiseido does better than Simple for hydration and moisture, offering deep hydration and luxurious textures across the products on this page.

Simple or Shiseido for oily skin?

Both Simple and Shiseido offer a High routine fit for oily skin according to Lovi. Simple focuses on lightweight, value-friendly moisture and fragrance-free formulas, while Shiseido provides deep-cleansing foams and hydrating options.

Simple or Shiseido: which moisturizer is better?

Simple offers lightweight and value-friendly moisturizers with no fragrance on this page, while Shiseido provides deep hydration and luxurious textures alongside a high price point. Lovi rates the routine fit for dry skin as High for Simple and Average for Shiseido.

Simple or Shiseido for sensitive skin?

Simple is a better choice for sensitive skin because the products on this page list no fragrance and reviewers mention they are gentle and sensitive-skin-friendly. Shiseido also offers high fit options for sensitive skin, but many of its products contain fragrance.

Simple or Shiseido for acne-prone skin?

Simple is a better choice for acne-prone skin because the products on this page list no fragrance and provide an average to high Lovi fit across the range, whereas Shiseido features a high price point and frequent strong fragrance.

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

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