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Cetaphil vs Simple

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

Cetaphil and Simple are two accessible skincare brands valued for their dependable, gentle formulations. Cetaphil is known for cleansers, moisturizers, serums, and sunscreens with glycerin, niacinamide, and panthenol, which suit oily and combination skin best. Simple is beloved for moisturizers, makeup removers, cleansers, and toners with niacinamide and glycerin, making the brand well-suited for acne-prone skin and skin with dark spots. While both rely on skin-soothing ingredients to support the moisture barrier, the American line offers a broader product range including sunscreens and targeted treatments.

Cetaphil is an American skincare brand founded in 1947 and owned by Galderma Group AG.

en.wikipedia.orgcetaphil.co.uk

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 Cetaphil and Simple products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Cetaphil vs Simple products

People Say

CetaphilSimple
  • Gentle on sensitive skin Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “The only thing my reactive skin tolerates. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
    • “No breakouts since switching to this. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
    • “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”
  • Hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “cleared up flaky skin — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “healed my dry patches — Cetaphil Moisturising Cream”
    • “banished dryness within days — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “Instantly boosts skin's hydration... face doesn't feel dry and tight. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
  • Texture and weight Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “absorbs instantly — Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Absorbs quickly into skin without residue — Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion”
    • “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
    • “absorbs very quickly — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
  • Dermatologist and value praise Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “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”
    • “recommended by my derm — Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser”
  • Versatile use and application Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “great for face and body — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “removes excess oil — Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser”
    • “Takes off any makeup residue and makes my face feel refreshed. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “Best morning cleanser — Simple Refreshing Facial Wash”
  • Fragrance-free and scent issues Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Love that it has absolutely no scent. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “love that it's alcohol-free — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
    • “No strong smell — Simple Refreshing Facial Wash”
    • “truly no smell — Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion”
  • Makeup removal difficulties Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Doesn't take off mascara at all. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
    • “doesn't remove mascara — Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser”
    • “Struggles with mascara. — Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser”
    • “Did not remove my mascara very well at all. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
  • Dryness and lack of moisture Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Felt a little stripping on sensitive areas. — Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser”
    • “Skin felt dehydrated after 30 minutes — Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion”
    • “not moisturizing enough — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “skin felt tight after an hour — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
  • Formula changes and irritation Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “New bottle ingredients do not match... lower amounts of beneficial ingredients. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “new formula stings — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “burned upon application — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
    • “New version burns my face. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”

Cetaphil vs Simple routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Cetaphil vs Simple routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Cetaphil vs Simple routines for combination skin

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Questions and answers

Cetaphil or Simple: which is better?

Both brands offer an equal routine fit across all skin types on this page, including dry, oily, and sensitive skin. Reviewers note that Simple earns praise for dermatologist value and being fragrance-free, while the products on this page for Cetaphil feature key ingredients like niacinamide and glycerin to help with hydration and skin quality.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

What is the difference between Cetaphil and Simple?

Cetaphil and Simple both offer products on this page that achieve equal routine fit levels across all skin types, but Cetaphil provides a much larger selection of cleansers, moisturizers, serums, and sunscreens featuring key ingredients like Niacinamide and Hyaluronic acid. Simple focuses on a smaller range of gentle cleansers, toners, and moisturizers known for value-friendly hydration and entirely fragrance-free formulas.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Cetaphil or Simple for dry skin?

Both brands offer an equal routine fit level of High for dry skin. The products on this page for Cetaphil and Simple share key ingredients like glycerin and niacinamide, which helps hydrate and improve skin quality.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Cetaphil or Simple: which cleanser is better?

Both Cetaphil and Simple offer gentle cleansers, but Cetaphil features products on this page with superior Lovi fit levels for specific skin types, such as the Gentle Skin Cleanser for dry sensitive skin and the Daily Facial Cleanser for oily skin. Reviewers mostly mention that Cetaphil provides gentle, non-stripping cleansers.

Which is more affordable, Cetaphil or Simple?

Simple stands out for its dermatologist and value praise on the page, making it the more affordable option between the two brands.

Between Cetaphil and Simple, which brand offers better fragrance-free options?

Simple does better with fragrance-free and scent issues among review themes. Every product on the Simple page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, while Cetaphil features one product with fragrance out of twenty-seven.

How do the founding years and corporate owners of Cetaphil and Simple compare?

Cetaphil was founded in 1947 in the United States and is owned by Galderma Group AG, whereas Simple was founded in 1960 in the United Kingdom and has been owned by Unilever PLC since 2011.

Which brand performs better in dermatologist and value praise according to reviewers?

Simple performs better in dermatologist and value praise according to reviewers. The products on this page list no fragrance in their ingredients and share key ingredients like niacinamide and glycerin.

Cetaphil or Simple for oily skin?

Both brands offer an equal routine fit of High for oily skin. Cetaphil features key ingredients like niacinamide and glycerin across the products on this page to help hydrate.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Cetaphil or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

Both Cetaphil and Simple offer products on this page with an average routine fit for dry skin. Cetaphil features key ingredients like glycerin, niacinamide, panthenol, vitamin e, and hyaluronic acid across its range, while Simple includes niacinamide and glycerin. Niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Cetaphil or Simple for sensitive skin?

Both brands offer an equal routine fit of High for sensitive skin. The products on this page for both Cetaphil and Simple are completely fragrance-free, making them gentle choices.

Cetaphil or Simple for acne-prone skin?

Both brands offer products that achieve a High Lovi fit for acne-prone skin on this page, with Cetaphil also featuring specialized items like the Extra Gentle Daily Scrub and Healthy Radiance Antioxidant-C Serum that reach a Superior fit. Niacinamide, a key ingredient found across the products on this page, helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and suppress melanosome transfer.

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

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