Simple vs Grown Alchemist
Simple and Grown Alchemist are distinct skincare lines, with the former being a British brand founded in 1960 and owned by Unilever PLC since 2011. The former is known for gentle moisturizers, makeup removers, cleansers, and toners crafted with niacinamide and glycerin, while the latter is loved for its cleansers, serums, and overall formulas. Simple suits acne-prone skin and skin with dark spots best, whereas the other brand suits sensitive, dry, and combination skin best. They differ primarily in their specific target skin types and core product types, offering tailored solutions like the Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner, Micellar Cleansing Water, Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser, and Instant Smoothing Serum.
Simple is a British skincare brand founded in 1960 and owned by Unilever PLC since 2011.
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This page compares some of the most popular Simple and Grown Alchemist products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Simple vs Grown Alchemist products
People Say
Gentle on sensitive skin Mostly MentionedMostly 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”
- “Perfect for sensitive skin — Grown Alchemist Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser”
Hydration and non-drying formula 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”
- “Doesn't dry out my skin — Grown Alchemist Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser”
- “Skin version of chugging water — Grown Alchemist Instant Smoothing Serum”
Lightweight and non-greasy absorption Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
- “absorbs very quickly — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
- “absorbs really well — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
- “Very light weight — Grown Alchemist Instant Smoothing Serum”
Effective cleansing and daily use Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “Takes off any makeup residue and makes my face feel refreshed. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
- “Best morning cleanser — Simple Refreshing Facial Wash”
- “Gets everything nice and clean — Grown Alchemist Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser”
Pleasant or soothing scent Not notedMostly Mentioned
- “Smells amazing — Grown Alchemist Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser”
- “smell is divine — Grown Alchemist Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser”
Affordable price point 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”
Struggles with makeup removal Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “Did not remove my mascara very well at all. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
- “Won't budge my waterproof mascara. — Simple Micellar Water”
- “Isn't going to be your makeup remover — Grown Alchemist Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser”
- “doesn't remove mascara — Grown Alchemist Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser”
Packaging and leaking issues Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
- “Worried about the snap top bottle leaking when travelling. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
- “The cap broke off immediately. — Simple Micellar Water”
- “hard to get last bit out — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
- “tube cracks easily — Grown Alchemist Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser”
High price point Not notedOften Mentioned
- “expensive for what it is — Grown Alchemist Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser”
Questions and answers
Simple or Grown Alchemist: which is better?
Simple stands out for being more affordable and better suited to sensitive skin among the products on this page, while both brands offer equally hydrating and gentle cleansers. Glycerin helps maintain skin hydration across both product ranges.
What is the difference between Simple and Grown Alchemist?
Simple stands out for being more budget-friendly and offering lightweight moisturizers alongside sensitive-skin-friendly makeup removers, whereas Grown Alchemist is noted for its high price point yet features soothing cleansers. Glycerin helps both brands provide hydration, and every product on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients.
Simple or Grown Alchemist: which cleanser is better?
Simple offers more sensitive-skin-friendly cleansers, whereas Grown Alchemist leans toward hydrating options like its Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser which Lovi rates as High for dry skin. Glycerin, a key ingredient in Simple cleansers, helps maintain skin hydration.
Which is more affordable, Simple or Grown Alchemist?
Simple offers more affordability than Grown Alchemist, as review themes note that Simple provides an affordable price point and value while Grown Alchemist has a high price point.
Which causes fewer breakouts, Simple or Grown Alchemist?
Simple features routines best suited for acne-prone skin, while review themes show that both brands may cause breakouts or skin irritations.
Which brand has been around longer, Simple or Grown Alchemist?
Simple has been around longer, having been founded in the United Kingdom in 1960, whereas Grown Alchemist was founded in 2008.
Do any products from Simple or Grown Alchemist contain fragrance?
Every product on this page from both Simple and Grown Alchemist lists no fragrance in its ingredients.
How does the Lovi fit level for dry skin compare between Simple and Grown Alchemist cleansers?
For dry skin, Simple cleansers have an average to low Lovi fit level, whereas Grown Alchemist cleansers have an average to high fit level. Glycerin helps provide hydration in these formulas.
Research behind their key ingredients
The effect of niacinamide on reducing cutaneous pigmentation and suppression of melanosome transfer
Final report on the safety assessment of Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid, and Sodium Benzoate
Apigenin inhibits UVA-induced cytotoxicity in vitro and prevents signs of skin aging in vivo
Efficacy of olive leaf extract-containing cream for facial rejuvenation: A pilot study
A Rose Extract Protects the Skin against Stress Mediators: A Potential Role of Olfactory Receptors
Borage Oil Treated with Immobilized Lipase Inhibits Melanogenesis
Development and efficacy assessments of tea seed oil makeup remover
Effects of fermented tea seed oil on the skin lipid barrier and microbiome of sensitive skin
Saccharide isomerate ameliorates cosmetic scalp conditions in a Chinese study population
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.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
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