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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 known for their gentle moisturizers, cleansers, and toners, with the former featuring niacinamide and glycerin and the latter harnessing glycerin and shea. The former brand suits acne-prone and oily skin best, while the latter suits mature and dry sensitive skin best. They differ primarily in their formulations and targeted skin needs, offering distinct paths to supporting skin health.

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

Buy Simple routine · SAR 891.11 · 83% fitBuy Elemis routine · SAR 3,641.86 · 82% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Simple vs Elemis routines for oily skin

Buy Simple routine · SAR 1,151.23 · 88% fitBuy Elemis routine · SAR 2,382.67 · 77% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Simple vs Elemis routines for combination skin

Buy Simple routine · SAR 983.37 · 87% fitBuy Elemis routine · SAR 2,337.01 · 79% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

Simple or Elemis: which is better?

Simple is better for value and gentle care on sensitive skin, while Elemis is better for luxury textures, lightweight moisture, and skin smoothing. Both brands offer products containing glycerin to help hydrate the skin.

What is the difference between Simple and Elemis?

Simple offers affordable, fragrance-free products on this page that shoppers find gentle on sensitive skin, whereas Elemis provides a more luxurious, higher-priced range featuring key ingredients like shea butter and frequent added fragrances. Both brands achieve equal routine fit levels across various skin types, but reviewers note that Simple is better for makeup removal while Elemis excels at smoothing skin texture and delivering a radiant glow.

Simple or Elemis for dry skin?

Both Simple and Elemis fit dry skin well, as the routine fit for dry skin on the products on this page is High for both brands. Simple offers lightweight, value-friendly moisturizers and is gentle on sensitive skin, whereas Elemis provides hydrating moisturizers and a radiant glow.

Simple or Elemis: which cleanser is better?

Simple stands out for cleansers on this page, offering gentle, sensitive-skin-friendly makeup removers that avoid fragrance entirely. Elemis cleansers on this page provide options like the Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash, but most of them contain fragrance, which may cause sensitivity.

Which is more affordable, Simple or Elemis?

Simple is more affordable, as reviewers mostly mention its affordable price and value, whereas a high price point is a mostly mentioned drawback for Elemis.

Which brand uses fragrance in its products, Simple or Elemis?

Elemis uses fragrance in many of the products on this page, whereas Simple lists no fragrance in any of its products.

Simple or Elemis for oily skin?

Both Simple and Elemis have a High routine fit level for oily skin. Simple is often preferred for offering affordable everyday basics, while Elemis is typically chosen for luxurious textures and skin smoothing.

Simple or Elemis: which moisturizer is better?

Simple offers lightweight and value-friendly moisturizers that help provide daily hydration, while Elemis provides luxurious moisturizers known for delivering smoother skin texture and a radiant glow. Reviewers note that Simple moisturizers are budget-friendly, whereas Elemis products come with a high price point.

Simple or Elemis for sensitive skin?

Simple is better for sensitive skin because it focuses on gentle, fragrance-free formulas, whereas Elemis products on this page often contain fragrance and can cause reactions. Reviewers note that Simple is gentle on sensitive skin.

Simple or Elemis for acne-prone skin?

Both Simple and Elemis have a High routine fit for acne-prone skin. Simple products on this page list no fragrance, whereas most Elemis products contain fragrance.

Simple or Elemis for mature skin?

Both Simple and Elemis have options that fit mature skin well, such as Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner and Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream, which both reach a Superior fit level. Simple is known for being gentle and value-friendly, while Elemis offers luxurious textures that provide a radiant glow. Niacinamide, found in Simple products, helps control skin aging and pigmentation.

Antioxidants, 2021The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Simple or Elemis for skin with dark spots?

Both Simple and Elemis feature products on this page that are a High fit for skin with dark spots. Simple relies on key ingredients like niacinamide, which helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation. Elemis offers products such as the Papaya Enzyme Peel and Pro-Collagen Marine Cream that also fit skin with dark spots well.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

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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