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Cetaphil vs Simple

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

Cetaphil and Simple are two trusted skincare brands founded in 1947 and 1960, respectively, offering thoughtful ranges of cleansers, moisturizers, and more. Cetaphil is best for combination and acne-prone skin with formulas featuring glycerin, niacinamide, and panthenol, while Simple suits oily acne-prone and sensitive skin with nourishing glycerin and niacinamide. Both brands rely on glycerin to increase hydration and restore barrier function and niacinamide to decrease hyperpigmentation and improve aging signs. They primarily differ in their heritage, specific targeted treatments, and inclusion of panthenol, with the American brand providing advanced options like the Healthy Radiance Antioxidant-C Serum and the British brand offering comforting essentials like the Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner.

Cetaphil is an American skincare brand founded in 1947 and owned by Galderma Group AG.

en.wikipedia.orgcetaphil.co.uk

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

Popular Cetaphil vs Simple products

People Say

CetaphilSimple
  • Gentle on sensitive skin Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “The only thing my reactive skin tolerates. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
    • “No breakouts since switching to this. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
    • “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”
  • Hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “cleared up flaky skin — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “healed my dry patches — Cetaphil Moisturising Cream”
    • “banished dryness within days — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “Instantly boosts skin's hydration... face doesn't feel dry and tight. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
  • Texture and weight Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “absorbs instantly — Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Absorbs quickly into skin without residue — Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion”
    • “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
    • “absorbs very quickly — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
  • Dermatologist and value praise 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”
    • “recommended by my derm — Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser”
  • Versatile use and application Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “great for face and body — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “removes excess oil — Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser”
    • “Takes off any makeup residue and makes my face feel refreshed. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “Best morning cleanser — Simple Refreshing Facial Wash”
  • Fragrance-free and scent issues Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Love that it has absolutely no scent. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “love that it's alcohol-free — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
    • “No strong smell — Simple Refreshing Facial Wash”
    • “truly no smell — Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion”
  • Makeup removal difficulties Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Doesn't take off mascara at all. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
    • “doesn't remove mascara — Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser”
    • “Struggles with mascara. — Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser”
    • “Did not remove my mascara very well at all. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
  • Dryness and lack of moisture Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Felt a little stripping on sensitive areas. — Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser”
    • “Skin felt dehydrated after 30 minutes — Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion”
    • “not moisturizing enough — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “skin felt tight after an hour — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
  • Formula changes and irritation Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “New bottle ingredients do not match... lower amounts of beneficial ingredients. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “new formula stings — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “burned upon application — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
    • “New version burns my face. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”

Cetaphil vs Simple routines for dry skin

Buy Cetaphil routine · S$257.68 · 83% fitBuy Simple routine · S$261.94 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Cetaphil vs Simple routines for oily skin

Buy Simple routine · S$459.69 · 85% fitBuy Cetaphil routine · S$330.00 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Cetaphil vs Simple routines for combination skin

Buy Cetaphil routine · S$348.51 · 88% fitBuy Simple routine · S$355.99 · 85% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

Cetaphil or Simple: which is better?

Both Cetaphil and Simple reach an equal High routine fit level across all evaluated skin types. The products on this page for both brands feature key ingredients like niacinamide and glycerin, which help support skin hydration and barrier health.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

What is the difference between Cetaphil and Simple?

Cetaphil and Simple both offer fragrance-free products on this page and achieve equal Lovi fit levels across skin types, but they differ in company origin and formulation range. Cetaphil was founded in the United States in 1947, whereas Simple was established in the United Kingdom in 1960. Niacinamide is included across the products on this page for both brands, helping to control skin aging and pigmentation.

Antioxidants, 2021The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Cetaphil or Simple for dry skin?

Both Cetaphil and Simple are great options, as Lovi rates the routine fit for dry skin as High for both brands. Niacinamide, featured in the products on this page, helps control skin aging and pigmentation.

Antioxidants, 2021The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Cetaphil or Simple: which cleanser is better?

Both Cetaphil and Simple offer gentle cleansers, but Cetaphil features more options with a High or Superior Lovi fit across various skin types like the Daily Facial Cleanser and Gentle Skin Cleanser. Reviewers mostly mention Cetaphil cleansers as gentle and non-stripping.

Which is more affordable, Cetaphil or Simple?

Simple is praised by reviewers for its value, while the products on this page from both brands offer various daily skincare options.

Cetaphil or Simple: which brand was founded earlier and in which country?

Cetaphil was founded earlier, in 1947 in the United States, compared to Simple, which was founded in 1960 in the United Kingdom.

Cetaphil or Simple: which products contain fragrance on this page?

Only Cetaphil includes fragrance on this page, specifically within the Oily Skin Cleanser, while the remaining products across both brands list no fragrance.

Cetaphil or Simple: which brand offers sunscreens on this page?

Cetaphil offers sunscreens on this page, while Simple does not list any sunscreen products. Cetaphil features multiple sunscreen options, such as the Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50.

Cetaphil or Simple for oily skin?

Both Cetaphil and Simple reach a High routine fit level for oily skin. The products on this page for both brands feature glycerin, and Simple also includes niacinamide, which helps control skin aging and pigmentation.

Antioxidants, 2021The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Cetaphil or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

Both brands offer moisturizers that fit dry skin at an equal Lovi level, and both formulas include glycerin to help maintain hydration. Cetaphil features a broader range of specialized moisturizers with ingredients like niacinamide, which may help control skin aging and pigmentation.

Antioxidants, 2021

Cetaphil or Simple for sensitive skin?

Both Cetaphil and Simple are equal choices for sensitive skin, as the Lovi routine fit for sensitive skin is High for both brands. Reviewers note that both brands are equally gentle on sensitive skin.

Cetaphil or Simple for acne-prone skin?

Both Cetaphil and Simple share a High routine fit level for acne-prone skin. The products on this page for both brands feature key ingredients like niacinamide and glycerin to help hydrate the skin.

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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