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The INKEY List vs Simple

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

The INKEY List and Simple are British skincare brands known for gentle formulations built around glycerin and niacinamide. The INKEY List offers moisturizers, serums, toners, and eye products suited best for sensitive and combination skin, while Simple is beloved for its gentle moisturizers, makeup removers, cleansers, and toners tailored for acne-prone skin and skin with dark spots. Through key ingredients like glycerin and niacinamide, the brand products help improve skin hydration, barrier function, hyperpigmentation, and signs of aging. They differ primarily in their founding years, product ranges, and specific target concerns, with both offering effective targeted solutions.

The INKEY List is a British skincare brand founded in 2018 and owned by Brand Evangelists for Beauty Limited.

cosmeticsbusiness.comprnewswire.comtheinkeylist.comtracxn.com

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

Popular The INKEY List vs Simple products

People Say

The INKEY ListSimple
  • Gentle on sensitive skin Sometimes NotedMostly 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”
    • “Safe and gentle especially for my dry, sensitive skin — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
  • Affordable price point Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Good for the price — The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser”
    • “One of the best balms for quality and also price — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
    • “unbeatable value — The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
    • “great value for money — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
  • Hydration and moisturizing Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Super hydrating — The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum”
    • “intense nourishment — The INKEY List Collagen Peptide Serum”
    • “banished dryness within days — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “Instantly boosts skin's hydration... face doesn't feel dry and tight. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
  • Lightweight texture and fast absorption Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “sits beautifully under makeup — The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream”
    • “Gel consistency — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
    • “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
    • “absorbs very quickly — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
  • Makeup compatibility and performance Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “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”
    • “Melts away makeup and impurities without drying — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
  • Acne and blemish control Often MentionedNot noted
    • “Free of active acne — The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser”
    • “Skin instantly looks less oily — The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser”
    • “Visibly reduces acne scars — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
  • Packaging and texture issues Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Worried about the snap top bottle leaking when travelling. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “The cap broke off immediately. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “feels like a film — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “Tube leaks liquified oil when opened — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
  • Lack of hydration or drying effects Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “have dry skin but this doesn't feel hydrating at all — The INKEY List Omega Water Cream”
    • “leaves under eye dry — The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream”
    • “not moisturizing enough — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “need to apply multiple layers — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”

The INKEY List vs Simple routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

The INKEY List vs Simple routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 97% fit

The INKEY List vs Simple routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

The INKEY List or Simple: which is better?

Both brands offer solid options, but The INKEY List provides better acne and blemish control, while Simple is gentler on sensitive skin.

What is the difference between The INKEY List and Simple?

The INKEY List stands out for its acne and blemish control, whereas Simple is noted for being especially gentle on sensitive skin. Additionally, The INKEY List offers an affordable price point for its products on this page.

The INKEY List or Simple for dry skin?

Both The INKEY List and Simple offer high Lovi routine fit levels for dry skin. Reviewers often mention The INKEY List for its affordable serums and hydrating moisturizers, while Simple is noted for its gentle, sensitive-skin-friendly makeup removers.

The INKEY List or Simple: which cleanser is better?

When comparing cleansers, The INKEY List offers options like the Salicylic Acid Cleanser that provides High Lovi fit levels for acne-prone, oily, and combination skin, whereas Simple offers cleansers like the Refreshing Facial Wash with lower fit ratings for dry skin. Reviewers note that The INKEY List is better for acne and blemish control.

Which is more affordable, The INKEY List or Simple?

The INKEY List does better than Simple when it comes to a more affordable price point. Reviewers often mention both affordable serums and affordable moisturizers for The INKEY List.

Between The INKEY List and Simple, which brand is better for managing skin with dark spots?

The INKEY List does better for managing skin with dark spots, as the products on this page achieve a Superior fit level for skin with dark spots compared to Simple's Average fit. Niacinamide may help reduce cutaneous pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

How do the founding years and corporate ownership of The INKEY List and Simple compare?

The INKEY List was founded in the United Kingdom in 2018 and is owned by Brand Evangelists for Beauty Limited. In comparison, Simple was founded earlier in the United Kingdom in 1960 and has been owned by Unilever PLC since 2011.

Which brand performs better regarding makeup compatibility and performance according to reviewers?

Simple performs better regarding makeup compatibility and performance according to reviewers.

The INKEY List or Simple for oily skin?

Both The INKEY List and Simple provide a high routine fit for oily skin. Reviewers note that Simple performs better for makeup compatibility, while The INKEY List offers a more affordable price point.

The INKEY List or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

When comparing moisturizers, both The INKEY List and Simple offer budget-friendly options, but reviewers mention that The INKEY List provides superior hydrating and plumping benefits. The INKEY List products on this page help deliver lightweight moisture, while Niacinamide in Simple moisturizers may assist with skin tone.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

The INKEY List or Simple for sensitive skin?

The INKEY List is a better fit for sensitive skin, as Lovi rates its fit as Superior while Simple achieves a High level.

The INKEY List or Simple for acne-prone skin?

The INKEY List does better for acne-prone skin on this page, as it offers a superior fit for that skin type.

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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