🇳🇱Netherlands

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 gentle moisturizers, cleansers, and toners crafted with nourishing ingredients like glycerin and niacinamide or shea. The former suits acne-prone skin and skin with dark spots best, whereas the latter suits mature skin and dry sensitive skin best. Both brands differ through their foundational elements, as the first relies on niacinamide to reduce hyperpigmentation, while the second harnesses shea butter to reduce inflammation.

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 · 98% 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 · 94% fit

Questions and answers

Simple or Elemis: which is better?

Simple is better for sensitive skin and value, while Elemis is better for smoother skin texture and a radiant glow. Both brands offer equal routine fit levels across all skin types.

What is the difference between Simple and Elemis?

Simple stands out for its budget-friendly, fragrance-free products that are especially gentle on sensitive skin, whereas Elemis offers a more luxurious range focused on skin-smoothing and radiant results. Both brands provide equally strong routine fits across various skin types.

Simple or Elemis for dry skin?

Simple and Elemis both provide a High routine fit level for dry skin. Simple products on this page are fragrance-free and budget-friendly, while Elemis offers luxurious, highly moisturizing formulas that may sometimes carry a stronger fragrance.

Simple or Elemis: which cleanser is better?

Simple is better for gentle, sensitive-skin-friendly cleansing, while Elemis is better for smooth skin texture and radiance.

Which is more affordable, Simple or Elemis?

Simple is more affordable, as reviewers on the page frequently mention its high price point as a negative for Elemis while praising Simple for offering value-friendly moisturizers.

Simple or Elemis: which is better for mature skin?

Both Simple and Elemis fit mature skin well, as Lovi rates the routine fit for mature skin as High for both brands. Elemis offers specialized products like the Pro-Collagen Marine Cream, which has a Superior fit for mature skin, whereas Simple provides budget-friendly options with key ingredients like niacinamide that may help control skin aging.

Antioxidants, 2021The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Which brand uses fragrance-free formulas, Simple or Elemis?

Simple uses fragrance-free formulas because every product on its page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas most Elemis products on the page include fragrance.

Simple or Elemis for oily skin?

Both Simple and Elemis have a High routine fit for oily skin, but they suit different preferences. Simple offers fragrance-free, value-friendly products that are gentle on sensitive skin, while Elemis provides luxurious textured options that help smooth skin texture and add a radiant glow.

Simple or Elemis: which moisturizer is better?

Simple offers more value-friendly and lightweight moisturizers, whereas Elemis provides luxurious textured moisturizers with high price points. Both brands offer products that help hydrate the skin, though reviewers note that Simple may occasionally lack sufficient moisture.

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

Both Simple and Elemis are rated High by Lovi for skin with dark spots. Niacinamide, found in Simple products, helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and suppress melanosome transfer.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Simple or Elemis for sensitive skin?

Simple tends to be better for sensitive skin because the products on this page are fragrance-free and the brand is noted for being gentle on sensitive skin. Elemis also offers suitable options, but most of its products contain fragrance.

Simple or Elemis for acne-prone skin?

Both Simple and Elemis have an equal High routine fit for acne-prone skin, but Simple is often preferred for being gentler on sensitive skin and offering better value. Simple features fragrance-free options containing niacinamide, which may help with skin pigmentation and acne management.

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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