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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 established in 1960 and 1989, respectively, offering thoughtful selections of cleansers, toners, and moisturizers anchored by ingredients like glycerin. While Simple is beloved for formulations with niacinamide that suit acne-prone skin and skin with dark spots best, the brand is owned by Unilever PLC, whereas Elemis is celebrated for rich products with shea that suit mature and dry skin best under the ownership of the L'Occitane Group. Both provide distinct experiences through their unique ingredients, as niacinamide reduces hyperpigmentation and improves aging signs, while shea butter reduces inflammation and relieves skin pruritus.

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 · 98% fit

Simple vs Elemis routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Simple vs Elemis routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Simple or Elemis: which is better?

Simple and Elemis are both great depending on what you need, as Simple provides value-friendly, gentle products that reviewers find great for sensitive skin, while Elemis offers luxurious, smoothing formulas that deliver a radiant glow.

What is the difference between Simple and Elemis?

Simple offers budget-friendly products that are typically gentle on sensitive skin, whereas Elemis focuses on luxurious textures and treatments for smoothing skin texture and adding a radiant glow.

Simple or Elemis for dry skin?

Both Simple and Elemis have an Average routine fit for dry skin on this page. Simple provides lightweight and value-friendly moisturizers, while Elemis offers hydrating moisturizers that help give a radiant glow.

Simple or Elemis: which cleanser is better?

Simple features fragrance-free options like its Refreshing Facial Wash, while Elemis offers products such as the Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash that often contain fragrance and may cause skin irritation. For cleansing and makeup removal, reviewers report that Simple is better and more gentle on sensitive skin.

Which is more affordable, Simple or Elemis?

Simple is more affordable, as reviewers on the page mostly mention it for offering value-friendly moisturizers and an affordable price, whereas Elemis is mostly mentioned for its high price point.

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

Both Simple and Elemis have an equal High routine fit for mature skin, with Simple offering budget-friendly options and Elemis focusing on luxurious anti-aging care. Niacinamide in the products on this page helps control skin aging and pigmentation.

Antioxidants, 2021The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Do Simple products contain fragrance compared to Elemis?

Simple products on this page list no fragrance in their ingredients, whereas 18 of the 22 Elemis products on this page list fragrance.

Simple or Elemis: which brand offers better options for skin with dark spots?

Simple and Elemis offer similar options for skin with dark spots, as the routine fit level for both brands is High. Niacinamide, a key ingredient found across Simple products on this page, helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Simple or Elemis for oily skin?

Both Simple and Elemis offer a High routine fit for oily skin. Simple features lightweight, value-friendly moisturizers and gentle makeup removers with no fragrance listed across the products on this page, while Elemis provides balancing toners and exfoliating pads that help improve skin texture and radiance.

Simple or Elemis: which moisturizer is better?

Simple offers lightweight and value-friendly moisturizers, while Elemis provides luxurious and hydrating moisturizers, though its products often feature added fragrance.

Simple or Elemis for sensitive skin?

Simple does better for sensitive skin, as it is gentler on sensitive skin. Furthermore, every product on the Simple page lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Simple or Elemis for acne-prone skin?

Simple and Elemis both offer a High routine fit for acne-prone skin on the products on this page. Simple relies on key ingredients like niacinamide, which may help control skin issues, while Elemis products on this page frequently feature shea butter.

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

How does it fit your skin?

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