Simple vs Galderma
Simple and Galderma are skincare brands with distinct offerings for various skin needs. The British brand is known for gentle moisturizers, makeup removers, cleansers, and toners featuring niacinamide and glycerin, while the Swiss brand is known for targeted serums like Epiduo Gel and Benzac AC. Both brands suit acne-prone skin and skin with dark spots best, with the first brand relying on niacinamide and glycerin for hydration and hyperpigmentation, and the second brand relying on specialized acne gels.
Simple is a British skincare brand founded in 1960 and owned by Unilever PLC since 2011.
en.wikipedia.orgsec.govprnewswire.comsimple.co.uk
Galderma is a Swiss skincare brand founded in 1981 and owned by Galderma Group AG.
This page compares some of the most popular Simple and Galderma products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Simple vs Galderma products
People Say
Gentle on sensitive skin Mostly MentionedSometimes 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”
- “didn't burn my face — Galderma Benzac AC Mild Strength 2.5% Acne Gel”
Clears acne and prevents breakouts Not notedMostly Mentioned
- “cleared up my skin — Galderma Benzac AC Mild Strength 2.5% Acne Gel”
- “cystic acne gone — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
- “stops new pimples — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
Hydration and non-drying Mostly MentionedNot noted
- “banished dryness within days — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
- “Instantly boosts skin's hydration... face doesn't feel dry and tight. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
- “Leaves my face feeling soft, not tight. — Simple Micellar Water”
No residue or lightweight absorption Often MentionedNot noted
- “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
- “absorbs very quickly — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
- “absorbs really well — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
Affordable 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 Often MentionedNot 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”
Intense burning and dryness Not notedMostly Mentioned
- “face on fire — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
Acne purge and irritation Not notedMostly Mentioned
- “got worse first — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
Bleaches fabrics Not notedMostly Mentioned
- “bleached my towel — Galderma Benzac AC 5”
Formula and packaging issues Often MentionedNot noted
- “New bottle ingredients do not match... lower amounts of beneficial ingredients. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
Questions and answers
Simple or Galderma: which is better?
Simple tends to be better for hydration and gentle care on sensitive skin, whereas Galderma is better for clearing acne and preventing breakouts. Glycerin helps maintain skin hydration, and niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation.
What is the difference between Simple and Galderma?
Simple offers gentle, lightweight, and hydrating daily products like cleansers and moisturizers that feature niacinamide and glycerin to help improve skin pigmentation and hydration, whereas Galderma provides targeted serums with benzoyl peroxide that help clear acne effectively but may cause severe dryness and peeling.
Which is more affordable, Simple or Galderma?
Simple offers better affordability because the products on this page provide value-friendly moisturizers and budget options.
Which causes fewer breakouts, Simple or Galderma?
Galderma does better at clearing acne and preventing breakouts. Simple reviewers note that its products can cause breakouts or irritations.
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2018
How do the founding years and countries of origin compare between Simple and Galderma?
Simple was founded in 1960 in the United Kingdom, whereas Galderma was founded in 1981 in Switzerland.
Which brand offers products suitable for dry skin, and what are their fit levels?
Simple offers products suitable for dry skin, with Lovi fit levels ranging from Low to High depending on the specific product. For example, the Micellar Cleansing Water achieves a High fit level for dry skin, while the Refreshing Facial Wash has a Low fit level. Galderma products are generally less suitable for dry skin, with fit levels reaching only Low or Caution.
What do reviewers say about the side effects of Galderma serums compared to Simple moisturizers?
Reviewers note that Galderma serums often cause severe dryness, peeling, irritation, and discomfort, whereas Simple moisturizers may sometimes cause breakouts, irritations, or a lack of sufficient hydration.
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
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
How does it fit your skin?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.
