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Simple vs Elemis

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

Simple and Elemis are British skincare brands offering distinct approaches to daily care. Simple is beloved for its gentle moisturizers, makeup removers, cleansers, and toners that thoughtfully incorporate niacinamide and glycerin, suiting acne-prone skin and mature skin best. Meanwhile, Elemis is celebrated for its nourishing serums, rich moisturizers, gentle cleansers, and refining toners that weave together glycerin and shea, suiting dry skin and mature skin best. While both brands feature glycerin to improve skin hydration and barrier function, they differ through their unique ingredient pairings and targeted formulations.

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

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

Elemis is a British skincare brand founded in 1989 and owned by L'Occitane Group since 2019.

elemis.comau.elemis.comen.wikipedia.org

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

Popular Simple vs Elemis products

People Say

SimpleElemis
  • Gentle on sensitive skin Mostly MentionedRarely Noted
    • “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”
    • “no stinging or redness — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
  • 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”
    • “The cream really hydrates and my face looks amazing. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream”
    • “Quenches thirsty skin... immediate improvement. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy texture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Absorbs almost immediately, and my skin feels well hydrated all day. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “whipped silk feel — Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial”
    • “cloud-light gel formula — Elemis Pro-Collagen Eye Revive Mask”
    • “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
  • Skin smoothing and radiance Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “baby soft — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “healthy glow — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
  • Affordable price and value Often MentionedNot 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”
  • Effective cleansing and makeup removal Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Takes off any makeup residue and makes my face feel refreshed. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “Best morning cleanser — Simple Refreshing Facial Wash”
    • “melts waterproof mascara — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
  • High price point Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “Complete waste of money for me. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Caused breakouts or skin reactions Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “caused cystic acne — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “terrible spots — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
    • “clogged my pores — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “Gave me tiny bumps on my forehead. — Simple Micellar Water”
  • Insufficient hydration or richness Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “not hydrating enough for winter — Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial”
    • “Great product, a bit heavy. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream”
    • “need more moisture — Elemis Peptide4 Eye Recovery Cream”
    • “not moisturizing enough — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”

Simple vs Elemis routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Simple vs Elemis routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Simple vs Elemis routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

Simple or Elemis: which is better?

Simple is better for value-friendly pricing and gentleness on sensitive skin, while Elemis is better for luxury textures and smoother skin. Both brands offer equally high routine fits across almost all skin types.

What is the difference between Simple and Elemis?

Simple offers affordable, value-friendly skincare that helps be gentle on sensitive skin and effective for makeup removal, whereas Elemis provides a more luxurious range that helps deliver skin smoothing, radiance, and lightweight textures.

Simple or Elemis for dry skin?

Both Simple and Elemis have a High routine fit level for dry skin. Simple features value-friendly moisturizers with niacinamide, which may help reduce cutaneous pigmentation, while Elemis offers hydrating moisturizers like the Pro-Collagen Marine Cream.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Simple or Elemis: which cleanser is better?

Simple offers the better cleanser for gentle use, as the products on this page are rated high for sensitive skin and the brand does better with reviewers for being gentle on sensitive skin. Elemis also features well-rated cleansers, though reviewers sometimes note skin irritation.

Which is more affordable, Simple or Elemis?

Simple is more affordable, offering value-friendly moisturizers and products on this page that cost less than the high price point typically found with Elemis.

Simple or Elemis: which brand is better suited for mature skin?

Both Simple and Elemis achieve a High Lovi routine fit for mature skin. Simple is noted for being gentle on sensitive skin and offering value-friendly options, while Elemis is recognized for delivering a radiant glow and smoother skin texture. Niacinamide, a key ingredient found across Simple products, may help control skin aging and pigmentation.

Antioxidants, 2021The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Which brand has more fragrance-free options, Simple or Elemis?

Simple has more fragrance-free options because every product on this page for Simple lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas only 4 of 22 products on this page do so for Elemis.

Simple or Elemis: which is better for treating skin with dark spots?

Simple and Elemis are equal for treating skin with dark spots, as both brands have products that fit this skin type well. Niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and manage skin aging.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Simple or Elemis for oily skin?

Simple fits oily skin better than Elemis, as the routine fit for oily skin is High for Simple and Average for Elemis. Furthermore, every product on the Simple page lists no fragrance, whereas most Elemis products contain fragrance.

Simple or Elemis: which moisturizer is better?

Simple offers lightweight and value-friendly moisturizers, while Elemis provides hydrating and luxurious texture moisturizers. Reviewers note that Simple moisturizers are sometimes lacking in sufficient hydration or moisture, whereas Elemis products feature a high price point and may cause skin irritation or strong fragrance.

Simple or Elemis for sensitive skin?

Simple is gentler on sensitive skin, whereas Elemis offers products that may cause skin irritation or feature a strong fragrance. Simple features key ingredients like niacinamide and glycerin to help keep skin calm. On this page, the products on this page for sensitive skin achieve a High Lovi fit level.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Simple or Elemis for acne-prone skin?

Simple is a better fit for acne-prone skin because the products on this page are gentler on sensitive skin and less likely to cause breakouts. Reviewers frequently note that Elemis can sometimes cause skin reactions, whereas Simple provides value-friendly, lightweight options that help with effective cleansing.

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

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