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Neutrogena vs Simple

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

Neutrogena and Simple are two widely loved skincare brands offering thoughtfully formulated moisturizers, cleansers, and toners. Neutrogena is enriched with glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and dimethicone to suit sensitive and dry skin best, while the British brand incorporates niacinamide and glycerin to suit oily and acne-prone skin best. Ultimately, they differ through their distinct active ingredients and target skin types, with the American brand focusing on moisture barrier support and the other emphasizing hyperpigmentation reduction.

Neutrogena is an American skincare brand founded in 1930 and owned by Kimberly-Clark Corporation since 2026.

investor.kimberly-clark.comen.wikipedia.orginvestors.kenvue.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 Neutrogena and Simple products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Neutrogena vs Simple products

People Say

NeutrogenaSimple
  • Acne-Safe and Gentle Formula 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”
    • “leaves skin soft and balanced — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
  • Deep and Intense Hydration Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Skin looked plumper and radiant — Neutrogena HYDRO BOOST WATER CREAM”
    • “Quenches dry skin instantly — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Hydrogel Mask”
    • “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 Non-Greasy Texture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Absorbs instantly without sticky residue — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
    • “absorbs instantly — Neutrogena COLLAGEN BANK Moisturizer”
    • “Absorbs into skin without residue. — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
    • “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
  • Makeup Compatibility and Base Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Foundation glides right over it — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
    • “Concealer doesn't cake or get stuck in crevices — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Eye Gel-Cream”
    • “makeup lays well — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “works well under foundation — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
  • Affordable Price and Value 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”
    • “great price point — Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover”
  • Fast Absorption Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “Absorbs quickly — Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream”
    • “Absorbs really well into my skin without leaving a greasy residue behind. — Neutrogena Retinol Regenerating Cream”
    • “Applies easily and quickly absorbs. — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
    • “absorbs really well — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
  • Insufficient Hydration or Dryness Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Not moisturizing enough for winter months — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
    • “Not rich enough for very dry mature skin — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Eye Gel-Cream”
    • “not rich enough — Neutrogena COLLAGEN BANK Moisturizer”
    • “not moisturizing enough — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
  • Packaging and Design Issues Often MentionedRarely 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”
    • “Formula change ruined it — Neutrogena HYDRO BOOST WATER CREAM”
  • Poor Makeup Removal and Waterproof Issues Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “doesn't remove mascara — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
    • “Did not remove my mascara very well at all. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”

Neutrogena vs Simple routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Neutrogena vs Simple routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Neutrogena vs Simple routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

Neutrogena or Simple: which is better?

Neutrogena is better for lightweight and fast-absorbing textures, while Simple is better for value-friendly and gentle formulas across the products on this page. Both brands offer equal routine fit levels for all skin types.

What is the difference between Neutrogena and Simple?

Neutrogena and Simple both offer products on this page that achieve equal routine fit across all skin types, but Neutrogena stands out for faster absorption and lighter texture while Simple is favored for affordability and gentle, acne-safe formulas. Neutrogena features key ingredients like retinol and hyaluronic acid for anti-aging and hydration, whereas Simple relies on niacinamide and glycerin to help soothe skin and reduce pigmentation.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

Neutrogena or Simple for dry skin?

Both Neutrogena and Simple achieve a High routine fit level for dry skin on the products on this page. Neutrogena helps deliver deep hydration with key ingredients like hyaluronic acid, while Simple offers gentle, value-friendly moisturizers.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Neutrogena or Simple: which cleanser is better?

Neutrogena is better for cleansers on the products on this page, as it offers options like the Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser with a Superior fit for sensitive skin. Simple provides a more value-friendly approach, but its Refreshing Facial Wash is rated at only an Average fit for acne-prone skin.

Which is more affordable, Neutrogena or Simple?

Simple is more affordable than Neutrogena, offering better value-friendly moisturizers and pricing among the products on this page.

Which brand has a larger selection of fragrance-free products, Neutrogena or Simple?

Neutrogena offers a larger selection of fragrance-free products on this page, with 35 items that list no fragrance compared to Simple having 7 fragrance-free products.

How do the founding years and corporate owners of Neutrogena and Simple differ?

Neutrogena was founded in 1930 in the United States and has been owned by the Kimberly-Clark Corporation since 2026. In contrast, Simple was founded in 1960 in the United Kingdom and has been owned by Unilever PLC since 2011.

Which brand offers better results for lightweight and non-greasy textures according to reviewers?

Neutrogena does better for lightweight and non-greasy textures according to reviewers.

Neutrogena or Simple for oily skin?

Both Neutrogena and Simple achieve a High routine fit level for oily skin. Neutrogena offers products on this page that are particularly well-suited for oily skin, featuring options like the Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen which has a High fit level.

Neutrogena or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

Neutrogena is better for moisturizers that offer deep hydration, lightweight textures, and fast absorption, while Simple is better for value-friendly and gentle options. Lovi finds that the products on this page for both brands fit dry skin, sensitive skin, and mature skin at equal levels.

Neutrogena or Simple for sensitive skin?

Both Neutrogena and Simple are a High fit for sensitive skin on Lovi. Neutrogena offers many fragrance-free products and specialized soothing options, while Simple provides gentle formulations that are entirely free of added fragrance.

Neutrogena or Simple for acne-prone skin?

Both Neutrogena and Simple are a High fit for acne-prone skin on the products on this page. Simple does better for acne-safe and gentle formulas, while Neutrogena offers more targeted options like salicylic acid cleansers.

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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