🇮🇪Ireland

Cetaphil vs Simple

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

Cetaphil and Simple are heritage drugstore labels known for thoughtful, barrier-supporting staples centered on glycerin and niacinamide. The American line, founded in 1947, leans toward rich lotions and targeted serums suited for combination, acne-prone, and mature complexions, while the British range, established in 1960, favors lightweight waters and cleansers ideal for oily and blemish-prone skin. Both brands deliver proven hydration and soothing benefits, though they differ in their national origins, parent companies, and specific textural approaches to sensitive daily care.

Cetaphil is an American skincare brand founded in 1947 and owned by Galderma Group AG.

en.wikipedia.orgcetaphil.co.uk

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

Popular Cetaphil vs Simple products

People Say

CetaphilSimple
  • Gentle on sensitive skin Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “The only thing my reactive skin tolerates. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
    • “No breakouts since switching to this. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
    • “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”
  • Hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “cleared up flaky skin — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “healed my dry patches — Cetaphil Moisturising Cream”
    • “banished dryness within days — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “Instantly boosts skin's hydration... face doesn't feel dry and tight. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
  • Texture and weight Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “absorbs instantly — Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Absorbs quickly into skin without residue — Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion”
    • “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
    • “absorbs very quickly — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
  • Dermatologist and value praise Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “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”
    • “recommended by my derm — Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser”
  • Versatile use and application Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “great for face and body — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “removes excess oil — Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser”
    • “Takes off any makeup residue and makes my face feel refreshed. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “Best morning cleanser — Simple Refreshing Facial Wash”
  • Fragrance-free and scent issues Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Love that it has absolutely no scent. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “love that it's alcohol-free — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
    • “No strong smell — Simple Refreshing Facial Wash”
    • “truly no smell — Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion”
  • Makeup removal difficulties Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Doesn't take off mascara at all. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
    • “doesn't remove mascara — Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser”
    • “Struggles with mascara. — Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser”
    • “Did not remove my mascara very well at all. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
  • Dryness and lack of moisture Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Felt a little stripping on sensitive areas. — Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser”
    • “Skin felt dehydrated after 30 minutes — Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion”
    • “not moisturizing enough — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “skin felt tight after an hour — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
  • Formula changes and irritation Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “New bottle ingredients do not match... lower amounts of beneficial ingredients. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “new formula stings — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “burned upon application — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
    • “New version burns my face. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”

Cetaphil vs Simple routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Cetaphil vs Simple routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Cetaphil vs Simple routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

Cetaphil or Simple: which is better?

Both brands offer solid options, but Cetaphil achieves a superior routine fit for combination skin on this page. Simple receives better praise for dermatologist backing and value, while both brands score equally well across most skin types and review themes.

What is the difference between Cetaphil and Simple?

Cetaphil and Simple both offer products with a high routine fit across most skin types, but Cetaphil achieves a superior fit for combination skin on this page. Simple receives better reviews for dermatologist and value praise, and every product on this page lists no fragrance. Niacinamide helps control skin aging and pigmentation.

Antioxidants, 2021

Cetaphil or Simple for dry skin?

Both Cetaphil and Simple reach a High routine fit level for dry skin. Each brand provides gentle, fragrance-free formulations with key ingredients like glycerin to support hydration.

Cetaphil or Simple: which cleanser is better?

Both Cetaphil and Simple offer gentle cleansers, but Cetaphil's routine fit is rated Superior for combination skin and High across most other skin types compared to Simple's average ratings for cleansers like the Refreshing Facial Wash. Reviewers mostly mention Cetaphil for gentle, non-stripping cleansers, while Simple is praised for sensitive-skin-friendly makeup removers.

Which is more affordable, Cetaphil or Simple?

Simple stands out for its value-friendly moisturizers, making it the more affordable option between the two brands.

Which brand offers better fragrance-free options between Cetaphil and Simple?

Simple does better with fragrance-free options and scent issues on this page. Every Simple product on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas Cetaphil has 26 of 27 products listing no fragrance with one fragranced option.

Cetaphil or Simple for oily skin?

Both Cetaphil and Simple have a High routine fit for oily skin. Cetaphil features products on this page such as Daily Facial Cleanser and Oily Skin Cleanser which achieve a Superior fit for oily skin.

Cetaphil or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

Both brands offer solid moisturizer choices, with Cetaphil achieving a High routine fit for dry skin and Simple featuring lightweight, value-friendly formulas that reviewers frequently praise. Niacinamide, found in the products on this page, helps control skin aging and pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Cetaphil or Simple for sensitive skin?

Both brands offer a high Lovi fit level for sensitive skin. The products on this page for both Cetaphil and Simple are largely fragrance-free, and reviewers note that both brands provide gentle options.

Cetaphil or Simple for acne-prone skin?

Both Cetaphil and Simple reach a High routine fit for acne-prone skin. The products on this page help support skin quality with ingredients like niacinamide.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Cetaphil or Simple for combination skin?

Cetaphil is the better choice for combination skin, offering a Superior routine fit compared to Simple's High fit on this page.

Cetaphil or Simple for mature skin?

Both Cetaphil and Simple are well suited for mature skin, matching a High Lovi fit level. Niacinamide, which is found in both brands, helps control skin aging and pigmentation.

Antioxidants, 2021The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

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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