🇮🇪Ireland

Medik8 vs Simple

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

Medik8 and Simple are British skincare brands offering cleansers, moisturizers, toners, and more. Medik8 features hyaluronic acid and suits dry skin and dry sensitive skin best, while Simple incorporates niacinamide and glycerin to suit oily skin and acne-prone skin best. The first brand relies on advanced formulations to address aging, dark spots, and texture, whereas the second brand focuses on gentle, everyday care for specific concerns like dark spots, acne, and maturity. Both labels differ in their targeted skin types, ingredient profiles, and core philosophies.

Medik8 is a British skincare brand founded in 2009 and owned by L'Oréal Groupe since 2025.

loreal.commedik8.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 Medik8 and Simple products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Medik8 vs Simple products

People Say

Medik8Simple
  • Gentle and non-irritating formulation Mostly 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”
    • “zero irritation or peeling — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
  • Hydrating texture and formula Rarely NotedMostly 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”
    • “sinks in beautifully — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
  • Lightweight and elegant texture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “absorbed effortlessly — Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream”
    • “Absorbs fast — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
    • “absorbs very quickly — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
  • Improves skin texture and smoothness Often MentionedNot noted
    • “smoother skin — Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse”
    • “My skin was smoother, my skin texture felt more resurfaced. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
  • Value for money and affordability 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”
    • “better value than Skinceuticals — Medik8 Super C Ferulic”
  • Fades dark spots and brightens Often MentionedNot noted
    • “I wake up glowing. It adds back that youthful bloom that I've lost. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
    • “pigmentation lightened slightly — Medik8 Oxy-R Peptides”
    • “immediate glow — Medik8 Super C Ferulic”
  • High price point Often MentionedNot noted
    • “Expensive per bottle — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
  • Caused breakouts Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “made me break out constantly — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “caused breakouts — Medik8 Oxy-R Peptides”
    • “caused me to breakout — Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream”
    • “Gave me tiny bumps on my forehead. — Simple Micellar Water”
  • Packaging issues and fragility Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “Worried about the snap top bottle leaking when travelling. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “The cap broke off immediately. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “hard to get last bit out — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “Glass bottle breaks easily — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”

Medik8 vs Simple routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Medik8 vs Simple routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Medik8 vs Simple routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

Medik8 or Simple: which is better?

Medik8 is better suited for most skin types on this page, offering superior routine fit for dry, combination, sensitive, mature, and dry sensitive skin, while Simple provides budget-friendly, fragrance-free options that reviewers find gentle and hydrating.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

What is the difference between Medik8 and Simple?

Medik8 stands out for targeting dark spots and improving texture, whereas Simple focuses on gentle, value-friendly hydration.

Medik8 or Simple for dry skin?

Medik8 provides a Superior fit for dry skin, whereas Simple offers a High fit. Medik8 features key ingredients like hyaluronic acid that help provide deep hydration and improve skin quality.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Medik8 or Simple: which cleanser is better?

Medik8 provides better cleanser options for most concerns, as its Surface Radiance Cleanse achieves a Superior fit level for acne-prone skin, oily acne-prone skin, and skin with dark spots on this page. Simple offers a budget-friendly alternative with its Refreshing Facial Wash, though it generally has a lower fit level for those specific skin types.

Which is more affordable, Medik8 or Simple?

Simple is more affordable, as reviewers often mention Medik8 has a high price point while Simple is known for its value-friendly products.

Medik8 or Simple: which brand has better anti-aging benefits for mature skin?

Medik8 is better for mature skin, achieving a Superior Lovi fit level compared to Simple's Average. Medik8 features specialized anti-aging ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Drug Delivery, 2017

Medik8 or Simple: which brand is better for fading dark spots and brightening?

Medik8 is better for fading dark spots and brightening than Simple. Its products on this page help improve skin texture and brightness.

Medik8 or Simple for oily skin?

For oily skin, both Medik8 and Simple achieve a High Lovi fit level on the products on this page. Reviewers note that Simple offers lightweight, value-friendly moisturizers, while Medik8 provides gentle and non-irritating serums.

Medik8 or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

Medik8 provides a Superior routine fit for dry skin compared to Simple, which has a High fit on the products on this page. Reviewers note that Medik8 products help deliver deep hydration and plumping.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Medik8 or Simple for sensitive skin?

Medik8 is a better fit for sensitive skin, earning a Superior rating compared to Simple's High fit level. The products on this page from Medik8 help deliver deep hydration and a gentle, non-irritating feel.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Medik8 or Simple for acne-prone skin?

Both Medik8 and Simple are a High fit for acne-prone skin on the products on this page. Medik8 features products that help improve skin texture and brightness, whereas Simple provides gentle, budget-friendly cleansers and makeup removers.

Medik8 or Simple for dry sensitive skin?

For dry sensitive skin, Medik8 is the better choice because Lovi rates its routine fit as Superior, compared to High for Simple. Medik8 helps deliver deep hydration and plumping for skin quality.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

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?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play