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Simple vs Taro

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

Simple and Taro are distinct skincare choices that offer reliable daily care for modern routines. The British brand founded in 1960 and owned by Unilever PLC since 2011 is beloved for its gentle moisturizers, makeup removers, cleansers, and toners crafted with niacinamide and glycerin, which suit acne-prone skin and skin with dark spots best. Meanwhile, the other option is warmly embraced for its targeted serums and carefully crafted formulas that suit sensitive, dry, and combination skin best, including standout products like the Tretinoin Cream for acne-prone skin. Both differ as the former relies on niacinamide to reduce hyperpigmentation and improve aging signs and glycerin to improve hydration and barrier function, whereas their product types, ingredient focuses, and ideal skin types vary.

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 Simple and Taro products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Simple vs Taro products

Questions and answers

Simple or Taro: which is better?

Simple offers more versatile daily hydration with products like its lightweight moisturizers, while Taro provides targeted care through its Tretinoin Cream for specific concerns like acne-prone skin. Niacinamide helps reduce skin pigmentation and melanosome transfer, and tretinoin helps restore collagen formation in photodamaged skin.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002The New England Journal of Medicine, 1993

What is the difference between Simple and Taro?

Simple offers a wide range of gentle daily skincare products like cleansers and moisturizers featuring glycerin and niacinamide, while Taro provides a specialized tretinoin cream for acne and combination skin.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002The New England Journal of Medicine, 1993

Which is more affordable, Simple or Taro?

Simple offers budget-friendly moisturizers, while Taro features specialized prescription treatments like Tretinoin Cream.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Simple or Taro?

Simple may cause fewer breakouts because reviewers often mention breakouts or irritations with Simple while Taro features Tretinoin, which helps treat acne for acne-prone skin.

The New England Journal of Medicine, 1993Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2020

Which brand has been around longer, Simple or Taro?

Taro has been around longer, having been founded in 1950, while Simple was founded later in 1960.

Do any products from Simple or Taro contain fragrance?

Every product on this page from Simple and Taro lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Which skin types does Simple fit best according to its brand-focused routines?

Simple fits best for acne-prone skin, skin with dark spots, and oily skin.

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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