Simple vs Lancôme
Simple and Lancôme are established British and French skincare houses that offer distinct approaches to daily care. The British label is known for gentle moisturizers, makeup removers, cleansers, and toners featuring niacinamide and glycerin, which suit acne-prone and oily skin best. Conversely, the French label is beloved for sophisticated moisturizers, eye products, serums, and toners enriched with glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and adenosine, catering to dry, mature, acne-prone, and uneven complexions. Ultimately, the two differ through the former's focus on foundational barrier care and the latter's advanced restorative properties.
Simple is a British skincare brand founded in 1960 and owned by Unilever PLC since 2011.
en.wikipedia.orgsec.govprnewswire.comsimple.co.uk
Lancôme is a French skincare brand founded in 1935 and owned by L'Oréal S.A. since 1964.
loreal.comen.wikipedia.orgcosmeticsbusiness.com
This page compares some of the most popular Simple and Lancôme products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Simple vs Lancôme products
People Say
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”
- “gives my skin an instant dewy glow — Lancôme Tonique Confort”
- “keeps the skin soft and hydrated — Lancôme HYDRA ZEN”
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”
- “I have very sensitive skin and can't use many products... my skin has been 'glass-skin'. — Lancôme Hydra Zen Gel Cream”
Lightweight and non-greasy texture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
- “absorbs very quickly — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
- “absorbs quickly — Lancôme RÉNERGIE”
- “absorbs almost instantly — Lancôme Génifique Ultimate”
Effective cleansing and makeup removal Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “Takes off any makeup residue and makes my face feel refreshed. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
- “Best morning cleanser — Simple Refreshing Facial Wash”
- “removes last traces of makeup — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
- “Dissolves waterproof mascara instantly — Lancôme Bi-Facil Double Action Eye Makeup Remover”
Works well as a makeup base Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “makeup lays well — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
- “works well under foundation — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
- “concealer applies smoothly — Lancôme Advanced Génifique Eye Cream”
- “layers beautifully under makeup — Lancôme Génifique Ultimate”
Affordable price point 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”
High price point Not notedMostly Mentioned
- “super expensive — Lancôme Absolue Precious Oil”
Struggles with waterproof makeup Often MentionedNot noted
- “Did not remove my mascara very well at all. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
Not enough moisture or hydration Often MentionedRarely Noted
- “ultimately this moisturizer is a huge let down and dries out my skin — Lancôme HYDRA ZEN”
- “not moisturizing enough — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
Questions and answers
Simple or Lancôme: which is better?
Simple is the better choice for shoppers seeking affordable and gentle skincare, as the products on this page are fragrance-free and widely noted for being sensitive-skin-friendly. Glycerin is a key ingredient across Simple products that helps maintain skin hydration.
What is the difference between Simple and Lancôme?
Simple stands out for its affordable, fragrance-free products that reviewers find gentle on sensitive skin, whereas Lancôme offers more luxurious formulas that often feature added fragrance and focus on deep hydration and anti-aging benefits. Glycerin is a key ingredient used across the products on this page for both brands.
Simple or Lancôme: which cleanser is better?
Simple features the Refreshing Facial Wash on this page, whereas Lancôme features the Crème Radiance cleanser.
Which is more affordable, Simple or Lancôme?
Simple is more affordable, offering value-friendly moisturizers, whereas reviewers mostly mention a high price point for Lancôme.
Which causes fewer breakouts, Simple or Lancôme?
Simple does better for acne-prone skin and reviewers note that the products on this page help with gentle care, though Simple may sometimes cause breakouts or irritations.
Between Simple and Lancôme, which brand is better suited for sensitive skin?
Simple is better suited for sensitive skin, as the products on this page are fragrance-free and reviewers frequently note that the brand is gentle on sensitive skin. Lovi rates Simple's Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner as having a High fit for sensitive skin.
How do the founding years and corporate ownerships of Simple and Lancôme compare?
Simple was founded in the United Kingdom in 1960 and has been owned by Unilever PLC since 2011, whereas Lancôme was founded in France in 1935 and has been owned by L'Oréal S.A. since 1964.
Which brand offers products with no fragrance, Simple or Lancôme?
Simple offers no fragrance in every product on this page, whereas only 3 of 14 Lancôme products on this page list no fragrance.
Simple or Lancôme: which moisturizer is better?
Simple offers the products on this page that are valued for their lightweight, value-friendly moisturizers, whereas Lancôme provides options like Advanced Génifique Night Cream that are well-liked for deep hydration. Glycerin helps provide moisture across the moisturizers of both brands.
Research behind their key ingredients
The effect of niacinamide on reducing cutaneous pigmentation and suppression of melanosome transfer
Apigenin inhibits UVA-induced cytotoxicity in vitro and prevents signs of skin aging in vivo
Spent Yeast Waste Streams as a Sustainable Source of Bioactive Peptides for Skin Applications
A Rose Extract Protects the Skin against Stress Mediators: A Potential Role of Olfactory Receptors
Borage Oil Treated with Immobilized Lipase Inhibits Melanogenesis
Design and in vivo evaluation of emulgel formulations including green tea extract and rose oil
Safety of a preservative system containing 1,2-hexanediol and caprylyl glycol
Histometric assessment of the age-related skin response to 2-hydroxy-5-octanoyl benzoic acid
Treatment with Ascorbyl Glucoside-Arginine Complex Ameliorates Solar Lentigos
Skin moisturization by hydrogenated polyisobutene--quantitative and visual evaluation
Saccharide isomerate ameliorates cosmetic scalp conditions in a Chinese study population
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.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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