🇮🇪Ireland

Dermalogica vs Simple

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

Dermalogica and Simple are two renowned Unilever-owned skincare lines offering gentle cleansers, nourishing moisturizers, and targeted treatments designed to support various complexions. The American brand utilizes powerful ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and salicylic acid, making its active formulations particularly suited for oily and combination skin. Conversely, the British brand incorporates niacinamide and glycerin to create soothing makeup removers and toners that best address oily and acne-prone skin. While both share a foundation in hydration, they differ in their active approaches, with the first providing specialized anti-aging and exfoliating benefits and the second focusing on foundational barrier support.

Dermalogica is an American skincare brand founded in 1986 and owned by Unilever since 2015.

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

Popular Dermalogica vs Simple products

People Say

DermalogicaSimple
  • Gentle on sensitive skin Rarely 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”
    • “helps calm and nourish my skin — Dermalogica Stabilizing Repair Cream”
  • Deep hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Saved my dry skin — Dermalogica Super Rich Repair”
    • “super hydrating — Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque”
    • “skin feels hydrated — Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance”
    • “banished dryness within days — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy absorption Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
    • “absorbs very quickly — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “absorbs really well — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “blends seamlessly — Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50”
  • Effective cleansing and makeup removal Sometimes NotedOften 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”
    • “Removes stubborn mascara — Dermalogica Precleanse”
  • Smooth and improved skin texture Often MentionedNot noted
    • “gentle enough for daily use — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “skin feels smooth as silk — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “fine lines have visibly softened — Dermalogica Phyto Nature Lifting Eye Cream”
  • High price point Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “hefty price tag — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
  • Caused breakouts and skin reactions Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Cystic acne flare-ups — Dermalogica Precleanse”
    • “Caused cystic acne — Dermalogica Super Rich Repair”
    • “Gave me tiny bumps on my forehead. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “caused major breakouts — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
  • Unpleasant or strong scent Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Smells like chemicals — Simple Refreshing Facial Wash”
    • “smells like puke — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”

Dermalogica vs Simple routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Dermalogica vs Simple routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Dermalogica vs Simple routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

Dermalogica or Simple: which is better?

Dermalogica is generally better for deep hydration and improving skin texture, while Simple is often preferred for gentle cleansing and lightweight, budget-friendly moisturizers. For oily skin, Lovi rates Dermalogica as Superior and Simple as High. Topical hyaluronic acid, found in Dermalogica products, helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

What is the difference between Dermalogica and Simple?

Dermalogica provides superior deep hydration and smoothness, whereas Simple offers gentle and effective makeup removal with lightweight moisturizers. Both brands formulate the products on this page with no fragrance.

Dermalogica or Simple for dry skin?

Dermalogica and Simple both offer a high routine fit for dry skin. The products on this page for both brands feature fragrance-free formulas.

Dermalogica or Simple: which cleanser is better?

Dermalogica provides better cleansers, as the products on this page achieve a high or superior Lovi fit across multiple skin types compared to Simple's average or low ratings. Dermalogica cleansers are mostly mentioned by reviewers as gentle and non-stripping.

Which is more affordable, Dermalogica or Simple?

Simple is more affordable, as reviewers often mention its lightweight, value-friendly moisturizers compared to Dermalogica's high price point.

Which brand has better makeup removers, Dermalogica or Simple?

Simple does better for effective cleansing and makeup removal. The products on this page for Simple include sensitive-skin-friendly and effective daily makeup removers.

What key ingredients are used across Dermalogica products compared to Simple products?

Dermalogica features hyaluronic acid, glycerin, salicylic acid, oat, vitamin E, and lactic acid across the products on this page, whereas Simple uses niacinamide and glycerin. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of aging, and niacinamide may reduce cutaneous pigmentation.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Dermalogica or Simple for oily skin?

Dermalogica has a superior fit for oily skin compared to Simple, which has a high fit for this skin type. Reviewers mostly mention that Dermalogica provides gentle, non-stripping cleansers and non-greasy moisturizers.

Dermalogica or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

Dermalogica provides superior and deeper hydration with products like Stabilizing Repair Cream, whereas Simple offers lightweight, value-friendly moisturizers such as Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream. Lovi rates the routine fit for dry skin as High for both brands.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Dermalogica or Simple for sensitive skin?

Both Dermalogica and Simple offer a high routine fit for sensitive skin, making them equally good options for this skin type. Dermalogica provides intense hydration and smoothing serums, whereas Simple is noted for being particularly gentle and value-friendly.

Dermalogica or Simple for acne-prone skin?

Both Dermalogica and Simple offer a high routine fit for acne-prone skin on the products on this page. Dermalogica is a Superior fit for oily skin, whereas Simple is an Average fit there, so Dermalogica may work better if your acne is tied to excess oil.

Dermalogica or Simple for mature skin?

Dermalogica is the better fit for mature skin, offering superior and high fit levels across its anti-aging products on this page like the Phyto Nature Lifting Eye Cream and Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50. Simple also has products on this page that fit mature skin, but reviews show Dermalogica does better for smooth and improved skin texture.

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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