Anua vs Simple
Anua and Simple are skincare brands that offer gentle moisturizers, cleansers, toners, and serums built around hydrating and soothing ingredients. Anua is a Korean brand suited best for dry and oily acne-prone skin through formulations featuring hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, whereas Simple is a British brand suited best for oily and acne-prone skin through formulations featuring niacinamide and glycerin. While both utilize niacinamide to reduce hyperpigmentation, the first brand also employs hyaluronic acid to lengthen wrinkle reduction, and the second brand incorporates glycerin to improve skin hydration and barrier function.
Anua is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2019 and owned by The Founders Inc..
prnewswire.comkedglobal.comtracxn.comv.daum.net
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 Anua and Simple products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Anua vs Simple products
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Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil
€22.76
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Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner
€22.97
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Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum
€24.00
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PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum
€23.00
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Heartleaf Quercetin Pore Deep Cleansing Foam
€15.49
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Rice 70 Glow Milky Toner
€22.49
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PEACH 70% NIACINAMIDE SERUM
€23.67
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Heartleaf 77% Clear Pad
€25.04
People Say
Soothes Redness and Sensitive Skin Often 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”
- “Calms my redness instantly — Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner”
Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “complexion feels so plump — Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum”
- “leaves skin plump — Anua Rice 70 Glow Milky Toner”
- “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 and Fast-Absorbing Texture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “melts into skin — Anua Heartleaf Silky Moisture Sun Cream”
- “Feels like water, not heavy oil — Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil”
- “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
- “absorbs very quickly — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
Cleansing and Exfoliation Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “Dissolved my sebaceous filaments immediately — Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil”
- “leaves my face soft, smooth, and fresh without dryness — Anua Rice Enzyme Brightening Cleansing Powder”
- “Takes off any makeup residue and makes my face feel refreshed. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
- “Best morning cleanser — Simple Refreshing Facial Wash”
Miscellaneous Product Traits Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “zero white cast — Anua Heartleaf Silky Moisture Sun Cream”
- “no scent — Anua Rice 70 Glow Milky Toner”
- “Smells like fresh peaches — Anua PEACH 70% NIACINAMIDE SERUM”
- “love that it's alcohol-free — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
Brightening and Dark Spot Fading Often MentionedNot noted
- “Significant reduction in hyperpigmentation from acne scarring. — Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum”
- “glass-like glow — Anua Rice 70 Glow Milky Toner”
- “Gives a nice healthy glow — Anua PEACH 70% NIACINAMIDE SERUM”
Breakouts and Acne Complaints Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “Gave me tiny bumps on my forehead. — Simple Micellar Water”
- “caused major breakouts — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
- “Gave me tiny red spots — Simple Refreshing Facial Wash”
- “Wrecked my skin barrier — Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil”
Anua vs Simple routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Gentle Foaming Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€15.00
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Hydrating Toner
Rice 70 Glow Milky Toner
Morning
€22.49
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Moisturizer
Heartleaf 70% Intense Calming Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€34.51
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SPF
Heartleaf Silky Moisture Sun Cream
Morning
€17.00
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Pre-Cleanser
Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€22.76
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Serum or Treatment
Green Lemon Vita C Blemish Serum
Evening · Once a week
€23.50
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Nourishing Mask
Heartleaf 77% Soothing Sheet Mask
Once a week
€1.90
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Cleanser
Refreshing Facial Wash
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€7.24
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Hydrating Toner
COSRX Propolis Synergy Toner
Morning
€14.28
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Moisturizer
Replenishing Rich Moisturiser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€6.04
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SPF
thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen SPF 50+
Morning
€32.81
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Pre-Cleanser
Micellar Cleansing Water
Evening · Once a week
€11.99
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Serum or Treatment
Beauty of Joseon Propolis + Niacinamide Glow Serum
Evening · Once a week
€14.94
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Nourishing Mask
Mediheal Watermide Essential Mask
Once a week
€28.40
Anua vs Simple routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
Refreshing Facial Wash
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€7.24
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Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
€19.99
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Moisturizer
Replenishing Rich Moisturiser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€6.04
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SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
€15.64
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Pre-Cleanser
Micellar Cleansing Water
Evening · Once a week
€11.99
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Cleansing Toner
Pixi Glow Tonic
Evening
€34.00
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Serum or Treatment
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Evening · Once a week
€8.99
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Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€76.00
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Cleansing Mask
Dr. Sebagh Deep Exfoliating Mask
Once a week
€82.85
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Cleanser
Heartleaf Quercetin Pore Deep Cleansing Foam
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€15.49
-
Hydrating Toner
Rice Enzyme Brightening Cleansing Powder
Morning · Once a week
€18.32
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Moisturizer
Heartleaf 70% Intense Calming Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€34.51
-
SPF
Heartleaf Silky Moisture Sun Cream
Morning
€17.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€22.76
-
Cleansing Toner
BHA 2% Gentle Exfoliating Toner
Evening
€25.16
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Serum or Treatment
Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum
Evening · Once a week
€24.00
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Cleansing Mask
Dr. Sebagh Deep Exfoliating Mask
Once a week
€82.85
Anua vs Simple routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Refreshing Facial Wash
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€7.24
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Hydrating Toner
La Mer The Tonic
Morning · Once a week
€115.30
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Moisturizer
Replenishing Rich Moisturiser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€6.04
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Pre-Cleanser
Micellar Cleansing Water
Evening · Once a week
€11.99
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Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
€22.99
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Serum or Treatment
Beauty of Joseon Propolis + Niacinamide Glow Serum
Evening · Once a week
€14.94
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€76.00
-
Cleansing Mask
Sand & Sky Australian Pink Clay Porefining Face Mask
Once a week
€48.22
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Cleanser
Heartleaf Quercetin Pore Deep Cleansing Foam
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€15.49
-
Hydrating Toner
Rice 70 Glow Milky Toner
Morning · Once a week
€22.49
-
Moisturizer
Rice Enzyme Brightening Cleansing Powder
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€18.32
-
SPF
Heartleaf Silky Moisture Sun Cream
Morning
€17.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€22.76
-
Cleansing Toner
BHA 2% Gentle Exfoliating Toner
Evening
€25.16
-
Serum or Treatment
Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum
Evening · Once a week
€24.00
-
Cleansing Mask
Sand & Sky Australian Pink Clay Porefining Face Mask
Once a week
€48.22
Questions and answers
Anua or Simple: which is better?
Anua and Simple offer similar routine fit levels across various skin types, but Anua outperforms Simple in brightening and dark spot fading. Reviewers note that Simple helps soothe redness and sensitive skin, while Anua products on this page frequently feature ingredients like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid which help improve skin hydration and appearance.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Dermatologic Therapy, 2022
What is the difference between Anua and Simple?
Anua focuses on brightening and dark spot fading with key ingredients like niacinamide, while Simple does better at soothing redness and sensitive skin. Both brands offer fragrance-free products and share equal routine fit levels across all skin types.
Anua or Simple for oily skin?
Both Anua and Simple offer a High routine fit for oily skin. Anua is especially known for lightweight toners and brightening serums, while Simple provides value-friendly moisturizers and gentle makeup removers.
Anua or Simple: which cleanser is better?
Anua offers better-performing cleansers overall, as the products on this page achieve High fit levels for oily and acne-prone skin while Simple cleansers are rated Average. Anua features cleansers formulated with active ingredients like heartleaf and succinic acid, whereas Simple provides more basic cleansing options.
Which is more affordable, Anua or Simple?
Simple is more affordable, as reviewers on this page frequently praise its lightweight, value-friendly moisturizers.
Which brand has more fragrance-free products, Anua or Simple?
Both Anua and Simple offer fragrance-free options, as every single product listed for both brands on this page contains no fragrance in its ingredients.
Do Anua and Simple offer products specifically for dark spots?
Both Anua and Simple feature products on this page that are suitable for skin with dark spots. Anua stands out for brightening and dark spot fading, featuring key ingredients like niacinamide which may help reduce cutaneous pigmentation.
What are the main key ingredients found across Anua products?
The main key ingredients found across Anua products on this page are hyaluronic acid, heartleaf, niacinamide, glycerin, ceramide, panthenol, and centella asiatica.
Anua or Simple for sensitive skin?
Both Anua and Simple have an equal High routine fit for sensitive skin, but Anua does better for brightening and dark spot fading while Simple does better for soothing redness and sensitive skin. Anua also offers a wider variety of key ingredients across its products on this page, including hyaluronic acid, heartleaf, niacinamide, glycerin, ceramide, panthenol, and centella asiatica, whereas Simple features niacinamide and glycerin.
Anua or Simple for acne-prone skin?
Both Anua and Simple have a High routine fit for acne-prone skin on the products on this page. Review themes note that Simple does better at soothing redness and sensitive skin, while Anua does better at brightening and dark spot fading.
Research behind their key ingredients
The effect of niacinamide on reducing cutaneous pigmentation and suppression of melanosome transfer
Effects of Turmeric (Curcuma longa) on Skin Health: A Systematic Review of the Clinical Evidence
Molecular basis of retinol anti-ageing properties in naturally aged human skin in vivo
Apigenin inhibits UVA-induced cytotoxicity in vitro and prevents signs of skin aging in vivo
Effects of glyceryl glucoside on AQP3 expression, barrier function and hydration of human skin
A comparative study of gluconolactone versus benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of acne
Borage Oil Treated with Immobilized Lipase Inhibits Melanogenesis
Moisturizing Effects of Diglycerol Combined with Glycerol on Human Stratum Corneum
Nanocomplex of quaternized cyclodextrin grafted chitosan and hyaluronic acid for a skin delivery
Histometric assessment of the age-related skin response to 2-hydroxy-5-octanoyl benzoic acid
Emulgels powered by coco-glucoside: A stable and effective synbiotics delivery system for skin care
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
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