🇫🇷France

Simple vs RoC

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

Simple and RoC are British and French skincare brands founded in 1960 and 1957, respectively. Simple is beloved for gentle moisturizers, makeup removers, cleansers, and toners crafted with niacinamide and glycerin, suiting acne-prone skin and skin with dark spots best. Conversely, RoC is known for expertly formulated serums, eye products, moisturizers, and cleansers enriched with glycerin and retinol, making both brands distinct as the British line relies on niacinamide to reduce hyperpigmentation and the French line uses retinol to diminish fine wrinkles.

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

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

RoC is a French skincare brand founded in 1957 and owned by Bridgepoint Group plc since 2024.

en.wikipedia.orgprnewswire.combeautymatter.com

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

Popular Simple vs RoC products

People Say

SimpleRoC
  • Gentle on sensitive skin Mostly MentionedSometimes 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 for me — RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream”
  • Hydrating and moisturizing Mostly MentionedOften 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”
    • “Leaves my face feeling soft, not tight. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “skin is no longer dry — RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Max Hydration Cream”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy texture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
    • “absorbs very quickly — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “absorbs nicely — RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream”
    • “Absorbs easily and quickly — RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream”
  • Affordable price and good value Often MentionedSometimes 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”
    • “Worth the price — RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream”
  • Anti-aging and wrinkle reduction Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “wrinkles look less deep — RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream”
    • “Fine lines definitely softer — RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream”
    • “diminished my forehead lines — RoC Derm Correxion Fill + Treat Serum”
  • 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”
    • “lathers a lot — RoC Daily Resurfacing Disks”
  • Other product complaints Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “I have to use 4-5 cotton pads to get clean. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “need to apply multiple layers — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “don't expect Botox results — RoC Derm Correxion Fill + Treat Serum”
    • “took 4 weeks to see change — RoC Derm Correxion Fill + Treat Serum”
  • Skin dryness or tightness Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “Skin became dry/flaky — RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream”
    • “My skin is drier and more saggy than ever. — RoC Derm Correxion Contour Cream”
    • “may feel drying for some — RoC BARRIER RENEW® GEL-TO-FOAM CLEANSER”
    • “not moisturizing enough — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
  • Waterproof makeup struggles Often MentionedNot noted
    • “Did not remove my mascara very well at all. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”

Simple vs RoC routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Simple vs RoC routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Simple vs RoC routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Simple or RoC: which is better?

Simple is better for gentle, hydrating care on sensitive skin, while RoC is better for anti-aging and wrinkle reduction. The products on this page from Simple feature niacinamide and glycerin, whereas RoC features retinol and vitamin C to help smooth skin texture and reduce signs of aging.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

What is the difference between Simple and RoC?

Simple tends to be gentler and more affordable, while RoC focuses more on anti-aging and wrinkle reduction with key ingredients like retinol. Reviewers note that Simple offers lightweight, sensitive-skin-friendly makeup removers, whereas RoC provides targeted wrinkle and fine line reduction.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Archives of Dermatology, 2007

Simple or RoC for dry skin?

For dry skin, RoC has a Superior routine fit compared to Simple's Average fit on this page. RoC features key ingredients like retinol that help stimulate collagen accumulation in naturally aged human skin.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Archives of Dermatology, 2007

Simple or RoC: which cleanser is better?

Simple offers better overall cleansing performance on the products on this page, as reviewers note its cleansers are effective. However, RoC features cleansers like the BARRIER RENEW GEL-TO-FOAM CLEANSER that achieve a High fit level for dry sensitive skin.

Which is more affordable, Simple or RoC?

Simple is more affordable than RoC, offering budget-friendly prices and good value across the products on this page.

Simple or RoC: which brand is better for anti-aging and wrinkle reduction?

RoC does better for anti-aging and wrinkle reduction, featuring retinol across many of its products on this page. Retinol helps stimulate collagen accumulation and improve the signs of aging in skin.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Archives of Dermatology, 2007

Simple or RoC: how do their fragrances and ingredients compare regarding sensitive skin?

Simple features key ingredients like Niacinamide and Glycerin, and every product on this page lists no fragrance, helping it feel gentle on sensitive skin. RoC also relies on Glycerin along with Retinol, Vitamin C, and Hyaluronic acid, and while 10 of its 12 products list no fragrance, reviewers sometimes note a strong fragrance and skin irritation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Simple or RoC: which brand performs better for mature skin?

RoC performs better for mature skin, achieving a Superior routine fit compared to Simple's Average fit level across its products. RoC relies on ingredients like retinol, which helps stimulate collagen accumulation in naturally aged human skin.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Archives of Dermatology, 2007

Simple or RoC for oily skin?

For oily skin, both Simple and RoC are options, as Lovi rates RoC as Superior and Simple as High for this skin type. RoC relies on key ingredients like Retinol and Glycerin, while Simple features Niacinamide and Glycerin across the products on this page.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Simple or RoC: which moisturizer is better?

Simple offers more lightweight and budget-friendly moisturizers that reviewers mention are gentle and hydrating, whereas RoC provides advanced anti-aging options featuring ingredients like retinol and hyaluronic acid. Depending on your primary skin goals, Simple helps maintain gentle daily moisture, while RoC may help smooth fine lines and improve mature skin texture.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Simple or RoC for sensitive skin?

Simple helps better for sensitive skin, as reviewers report that the products on this page are gentle on sensitive skin. Lovi rates the routine fit for sensitive skin as High for Simple and High for RoC.

Simple or RoC for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, Simple is generally gentle and fits the products on this page well with an Average to High Lovi fit level across its items, while RoC offers Superior routine fit for acne-prone skin with targeted ingredients like retinol. Both brands help address acne-prone skin concerns, though RoC may sometimes cause skin irritation and burning as noted by reviewers.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Archives of Dermatology, 2007

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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