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Simple vs Hada Labo

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

Simple and Hada Labo are beloved skincare brands offering gentle cleansers, makeup removers, and moisturizers designed to support the skin barrier. The British brand features niacinamide and glycerin to suit oily and acne-prone skin best, while the Japanese brand relies on advanced formulas to suit dry and acne-prone skin best. These thoughtful approaches differ as Simple focuses on straightforward hydration and calming properties, whereas Hada Labo centers on deeply restorative moisture through its specialized lotions.

Simple is a British skincare brand founded in 1960 and owned by Unilever PLC since 2011.

en.wikipedia.orgsec.govprnewswire.comsimple.co.uk

Hada Labo is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 2004 and owned by Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd..

en.wikipedia.orghadalabosa.co.zahadalabotokyo.pl

This page compares some of the most popular Simple and Hada Labo products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Simple vs Hada Labo products

People Say

SimpleHada Labo
  • Hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedMostly 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”
    • “skin drinks it up — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
    • “Plumps fine lines — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
  • Gentle on sensitive skin 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 hydrated — Hada Labo Gokujyun Cleansing Oil”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy texture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
    • “absorbs very quickly — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “absorbs super quickly — Hada Labo Premium Whitening Lotion (Light)”
    • “absorbs super quickly — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
  • Affordable value Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “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”
    • “bottle lasts forever — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
  • Good makeup base Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “makeup lays well — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “works well under foundation — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “mixes well with oils — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
    • “Mixes with oils — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
  • Effective cleansing Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “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”
    • “emulsifies beautifully — Hada Labo Gokujyun Cleansing Oil”
  • Caused breakouts or skin reactions Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Gave me tiny bumps on my forehead. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “caused major breakouts — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “gave me tiny bumps — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
    • “Closed comedones — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
  • Not enough hydration or moisture Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “not enough for dry patches — Hada Labo Premium Whitening Lotion (Light)”
    • “not enough to keep skin hydrated — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
    • “I cannot use it alone... I must couple it with my usual serums. — Hada Labo Gokujyun Perfect Gel”
    • “not moisturizing enough — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
  • Sticky or tacky finish Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “Tacky residue — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”

Simple vs Hada Labo routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Simple vs Hada Labo routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Simple vs Hada Labo routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

Simple or Hada Labo: which is better?

Simple tends to be better for sensitive skin and affordability, whereas Hada Labo excels in deep hydration and moisturization with its hyaluronic acid formulations. Both brands offer fragrance-free products on this page, but reviewers note that Simple is gentler while Hada Labo provides superior hydration for dry skin types.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

What is the difference between Simple and Hada Labo?

Simple features niacinamide and glycerin with a Lovi fit level of High for dry skin routines, while Hada Labo features hyaluronic acid and achieves a Lovi fit level of Superior for dry skin routines. Reviewers note that Simple is more affordable, whereas Hada Labo provides deep hydration.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Simple or Hada Labo for dry skin?

For dry skin, Hada Labo achieves a Superior routine fit, whereas Simple reaches an Average fit across most of its dry skin products. Reviewers often note that Hada Labo provides deep hydration, while glycerin in Simple products helps maintain skin moisture.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Simple or Hada Labo: which moisturizer is better?

Simple offers lightweight and value-friendly moisturizers that reviewers mostly mention positively. Niacinamide and glycerin help provide hydration and support the skin barrier in these products on this page.

Which is more affordable, Simple or Hada Labo?

Simple is more affordable, as it is noted for offering affordable value among the products on this page.

Simple or Hada Labo for sensitive skin: which brand is gentler?

Simple does better than Hada Labo for being gentle on sensitive skin. Glycerin helps soothe skin and maintain moisture in Simple products.

Which brand focuses on hyaluronic acid versus niacinamide and glycerin?

Hada Labo focuses on hyaluronic acid, whereas Simple features niacinamide and glycerin across its products on this page.

Simple or Hada Labo: which offers better toners for dry skin?

Hada Labo offers better toners for dry skin, with products like the Gokujyun Lotion receiving a Superior Lovi fit level for dry skin compared to Simple toners which have an Average fit level. Glycerin in Simple helps maintain hydration, while hyaluronic acid in Hada Labo provides deep moisture.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Simple or Hada Labo for oily skin?

For oily skin, Lovi rates Simple as High and Hada Labo as Superior. Both brands are fragrance-free, but Simple may be preferred for effective cleansing and being gentle on sensitive skin.

Simple or Hada Labo for acne-prone skin?

Simple has a High fit for acne-prone skin, while Hada Labo reaches a Superior fit for this skin type.

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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