🇮🇹Italy

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 two trusted pharmacy brands offering gentle cleansers, moisturizers, and more for daily care. The American line relies on glycerin, niacinamide, and panthenol to suit combination and acne-prone skin, while the British range features niacinamide and glycerin to support acne-prone and mature skin. Both utilize these key ingredients to boost hydration and soothe the skin, though they differ in their specific heritage and targeted product formulations.

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 · 99% fit

Cetaphil vs Simple routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% 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 an equal routine fit across all skin types on this page. Niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and control skin aging.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

What is the difference between Cetaphil and Simple?

Cetaphil and Simple both offer products that reach High routine fit levels across major skin types, but Cetaphil provides a much larger product range with targeted options like its Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50. Simple focuses on value-friendly and sensitive-skin-friendly makeup removers and lightweight moisturizers. Niacinamide, featured in both brands, helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Cetaphil or Simple for dry skin?

Both Cetaphil and Simple offer a High routine fit for dry skin. The products on this page for both brands help provide essential hydration, while Cetaphil also features key ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and panthenol that may support skin moisture barriers.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002

Cetaphil or Simple: which cleanser is better?

Cetaphil features a wider range of cleansers with higher Lovi fit levels across skin types, such as the Gentle Skin Cleanser which achieves a Superior fit for dry and dry sensitive skin.

Which is more affordable, Cetaphil or Simple?

Simple stands out for dermatologist and value praise compared to Cetaphil, making it the more affordable option on this page.

Which brand has been around longer, Cetaphil or Simple?

Cetaphil has been around longer, having been founded in the United States in 1947, whereas Simple was founded in the United Kingdom in 1960.

Do both Cetaphil and Simple offer fragrance-free products?

Yes, both brands offer fragrance-free options across the products on this page. Nearly all Cetaphil products list no fragrance, and every Simple product on this page is formulated without fragrance.

Which brand has better dermatologist and value praise according to reviewers?

Simple does better for dermatologist and value praise according to reviewers. The brand offers budget-friendly products that are widely appreciated for being gentle on sensitive skin.

Cetaphil or Simple for oily skin?

Both brands offer an equal routine fit level of High for oily skin. Cetaphil features specialized options like the Daily Facial Cleanser and Oily Skin Cleanser, while Simple provides gentle cleansers and oil-reducing micellar waters.

Cetaphil or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

Both brands offer moisturizers with equal routine fit levels across all skin types on this page, so your choice depends on whether you prefer Cetaphil's key ingredients like glycerin, niacinamide, panthenol, vitamin E, and hyaluronic acid, or Simple's lighter, value-friendly formulations.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Cetaphil or Simple for sensitive skin?

Both brands achieve a High routine fit for sensitive skin, and the products on this page for both brands are fragrance-free. Niacinamide, found in both lines, may help control skin aging and pigmentation.

Antioxidants, 2021The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Cetaphil or Simple for acne-prone skin?

Both brands offer an equal Lovi fit level of High for acne-prone skin. Cetaphil features products like the Extra Gentle Daily Scrub and Ceramide Serum, while Simple includes options like the Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner, and both lines utilize niacinamide to help improve skin clarity.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

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