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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 two accessible skincare labels, with the American brand founded in 1930 and the British counterpart established in 1960. Neutrogena is widely loved for its thoughtfully formulated moisturizers, sunscreens, cleansers, toners, and more featuring glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and dimethicone, while Simple is lovingly chosen for its gentle moisturizers, makeup removers, cleansers, and toners enriched with niacinamide and glycerin. The former suits mature skin and skin with dark spots best, whereas the latter suits acne-prone skin and oily skin best because of their respective formulations. They differ primarily in their active ingredients and target skin concerns, offering specialized solutions for distinct complexions.

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

Buy Simple routine · SAR 891.11 · 83% fitBuy Neutrogena routine · SAR 854.76 · 69% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Neutrogena vs Simple routines for oily skin

Buy Simple routine · SAR 1,151.23 · 88% fitBuy Neutrogena routine · SAR 811.22 · 70% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Neutrogena vs Simple routines for combination skin

Buy Simple routine · SAR 983.37 · 87% fitBuy Neutrogena routine · SAR 817.79 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

Neutrogena or Simple: which is better?

Simple is a better choice for dry, oily, combination, dry sensitive, and oily acne-prone routines, where Lovi rates its fit as High compared to Neutrogena's Average. Both brands achieve equal High fit levels for acne-prone, mature, and skin with dark spots.

What is the difference between Neutrogena and Simple?

Neutrogena is better for lightweight textures and fast absorption, while Simple is preferred for acne-safe formulas and value-friendly products. Neutrogena features key ingredients like retinol and hyaluronic acid for anti-aging and hydration, whereas Simple relies on niacinamide and glycerin to soothe sensitive skin.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

Neutrogena or Simple for dry skin?

Simple is the better choice for dry skin, as the routine fit on this page is High compared to Neutrogena at Average. Simple features fragrance-free formulas with glycerin and niacinamide, which helps provide moisture and supports skin barrier health.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Neutrogena or Simple: which cleanser is better?

Neutrogena offers a wider variety of specialized cleansers that target acne-prone and mature skin with high fit levels, whereas Simple focuses on gentle, fragrance-free daily cleansing. Simple is often preferred for a more sensitive-skin-friendly formula, while Neutrogena provides options like salicylic acid cleansers that help manage breakouts.

Which is more affordable, Neutrogena or Simple?

Simple offers more affordable price and value among the products on this page compared to Neutrogena.

Between Neutrogena and Simple, which brand offers better fragrance-free options?

Simple offers better fragrance-free options because every product on its page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas Neutrogena features fragrance in several items on its page.

How do the founding years and corporate owners of Neutrogena and Simple compare?

Neutrogena was founded in 1930 in the United States and has been owned by the Kimberly-Clark Corporation since 2026, whereas Simple was founded in 1960 in the United Kingdom and is owned by Unilever PLC.

Which brand performs better for lightweight and non-greasy textures according to reviewers?

Neutrogena performs better for lightweight and non-greasy textures according to reviewers, while also offering fast-absorbing moisturizers.

Neutrogena or Simple for oily skin?

Simple offers a High routine fit for oily skin, whereas Neutrogena has an Average fit for this skin type. Simple features Niacinamide across its products to help manage oil and pigmentation, while Neutrogena offers a wider range of specialty treatments.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Neutrogena or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

Neutrogena offers better options for deep hydration and fast absorption in the products on this page, while Simple is known for being value-friendly and gentle on sensitive skin. Hyaluronic acid helps bind moisture to the skin to improve overall skin quality.

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

Neutrogena or Simple for sensitive skin?

Simple features a High routine fit for sensitive skin, while Neutrogena reaches an Average fit level. Simple products on this page list no fragrance, helping minimize potential skin irritation.

Neutrogena or Simple for acne-prone skin?

Both Neutrogena and Simple achieve an equal High fit level for acne-prone skin on the products on this page. Simple does better for acne-safe and gentle formulas, while Neutrogena offers better fast absorption.

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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