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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 established skincare brands known for their thoughtful arrays of moisturizers, cleansers, and toners. The American brand relies on glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and dimethicone to suit dry and mature skin best, whereas the British brand incorporates niacinamide and glycerin to support acne-prone and mature skin. While both names offer reliable daily care, they differ in their foundational ingredients and specific target concerns.

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

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Neutrogena vs Simple routines for oily skin

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Neutrogena vs Simple routines for combination skin

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Questions and answers

Neutrogena or Simple: which is better?

Neutrogena is better for lightweight textures and fast absorption, while Simple is better for value-friendly, acne-safe, and gentle formulas. For most skin types on this page, Lovi finds the routine fit level of both brands to be equal, although Simple has an advantage for dry sensitive skin.

What is the difference between Neutrogena and Simple?

Neutrogena is better for lightweight textures and fast absorption, while Simple is better for acne-safe formulas and value-friendly pricing, though both brands offer an equal routine fit across most skin types on this page. Neutrogena products often feature active ingredients like retinol and hyaluronic acid for anti-aging and hydration, whereas Simple products focus on gentle ingredients like niacinamide and glycerin.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Neutrogena or Simple for dry skin?

Both Neutrogena and Simple achieve a High Lovi routine fit level for dry skin. Neutrogena features deep hydration and fast-absorbing formulas with hyaluronic acid, which helps improve skin hydration, while Simple offers fragrance-free options that are gentle on sensitive areas.

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

Neutrogena or Simple: which cleanser is better?

Neutrogena offers a wider variety of specialized cleansers with higher Lovi fit levels across skin types, including Superior ratings for mature, acne-prone, and sensitive skin, whereas Simple features a more limited selection of cleansers.

Which is more affordable, Neutrogena or Simple?

Simple does better for affordable price and value among the products on this page. Simple offers lightweight, value-friendly moisturizers and gentle, sensitive-skin-friendly makeup removers.

Which brand has more fragrance-free products, Neutrogena or Simple?

Neutrogena has more fragrance-free products on this page than Simple, with 35 of its 39 items listing no fragrance, while every product from Simple is fragrance-free.

Which brand absorbs faster, Neutrogena or Simple?

Neutrogena absorbs faster than Simple, offering a lightweight texture that supports quick absorption across the products on this page.

Neutrogena or Simple for oily skin?

Both Neutrogena and Simple achieve a High routine fit level for oily skin based on the products on this page. Neutrogena tends to offer faster absorption and lighter textures, whereas Simple provides more value-friendly and gentle, fragrance-free options.

Neutrogena or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

Neutrogena offers deeply hydrating and lightweight moisturizers that are well-suited for fast absorption, while Simple provides gentle and value-friendly options. The products on this page for both brands achieve high fit levels for dry skin.

Neutrogena or Simple for sensitive skin?

Both Neutrogena and Simple achieve a High routine fit level for sensitive skin on the products on this page. Neutrogena offers a wider range of products, while Simple ensures that every product on this page is formulated without fragrance.

Neutrogena or Simple for acne-prone skin?

Both Neutrogena and Simple achieve a High routine fit level for acne-prone skin on the products on this page. Neutrogena offers a wider range of targeted treatments containing salicylic acid, while Simple features fragrance-free formulas that are gentle and less likely to cause irritation.

Neutrogena or Simple for dry sensitive skin?

Simple is the better choice for dry sensitive skin because the products on this page achieve a High fit level, whereas Neutrogena reaches only an Average fit level. Simple relies on fragrance-free formulations with glycerin and niacinamide, which helps hydrate and soothe easily irritated skin.

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?

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