🇬🇧United Kingdom

Simple vs RoC

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

Simple and RoC are British and French skincare brands founded in 1960 and 1957, respectively. Simple is beloved for gentle moisturizers, makeup removers, cleansers, and toners crafted with niacinamide and glycerin, suiting acne-prone skin and skin with dark spots best. Conversely, RoC is known for expertly formulated serums, eye products, moisturizers, and cleansers enriched with glycerin and retinol, making both brands distinct as the British line relies on niacinamide to reduce hyperpigmentation and the French line uses retinol to diminish fine wrinkles.

Simple is a British skincare brand founded in 1960 and owned by Unilever PLC since 2011.

en.wikipedia.orgsec.govprnewswire.comsimple.co.uk

RoC is a French skincare brand founded in 1957 and owned by Bridgepoint Group plc since 2024.

en.wikipedia.orgprnewswire.combeautymatter.com

This page compares some of the most popular Simple and RoC products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Simple vs RoC products

People Say

SimpleRoC
  • 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”
    • “No irritation for me — RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream”
  • Hydrating and moisturizing Mostly MentionedOften 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”
    • “Leaves my face feeling soft, not tight. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “skin is no longer dry — RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Max Hydration Cream”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy texture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
    • “absorbs very quickly — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “absorbs nicely — RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream”
    • “Absorbs easily and quickly — RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream”
  • Affordable price and good value Often MentionedSometimes 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”
    • “Worth the price — RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream”
  • Anti-aging and wrinkle reduction Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “wrinkles look less deep — RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream”
    • “Fine lines definitely softer — RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream”
    • “diminished my forehead lines — RoC Derm Correxion Fill + Treat Serum”
  • Effective cleansing Often MentionedRarely 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”
    • “lathers a lot — RoC Daily Resurfacing Disks”
  • Other product complaints Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “I have to use 4-5 cotton pads to get clean. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “need to apply multiple layers — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “don't expect Botox results — RoC Derm Correxion Fill + Treat Serum”
    • “took 4 weeks to see change — RoC Derm Correxion Fill + Treat Serum”
  • Skin dryness or tightness Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “Skin became dry/flaky — RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream”
    • “My skin is drier and more saggy than ever. — RoC Derm Correxion Contour Cream”
    • “may feel drying for some — RoC BARRIER RENEW® GEL-TO-FOAM CLEANSER”
    • “not moisturizing enough — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
  • Waterproof makeup struggles Often MentionedNot noted
    • “Did not remove my mascara very well at all. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”

Simple vs RoC routines for dry skin

Buy RoC routine · £114.75 · 91% fitBuy Simple routine · £136.73 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Simple vs RoC routines for oily skin

Buy RoC routine · £202.94 · 89% fitBuy Simple routine · £221.50 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Simple vs RoC routines for combination skin

Buy RoC routine · £180.66 · 88% fitBuy Simple routine · £185.60 · 85% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Simple or RoC: which is better?

Simple tends to be better for sensitive and budget-conscious skin because it offers gentle, fragrance-free products that reviewers frequently praise for being soothing and affordable. Meanwhile, RoC is better suited for anti-aging and wrinkle reduction due to its formulas featuring key ingredients like retinol, though some users report that it may cause skin irritation.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Archives of Dermatology, 2007

What is the difference between Simple and RoC?

Simple focuses on fragrance-free, gentle skincare that is well-suited for sensitive skin and hydration, whereas RoC centers largely on anti-aging and wrinkle reduction using key ingredients like retinol. For the products on this page, Simple tends to be more affordable and gentle, while RoC frequently targets mature skin and dark spots.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Archives of Dermatology, 2007

Simple or RoC for dry skin?

For dry skin, RoC achieves a Superior routine fit, whereas Simple reaches a High fit. RoC features key anti-aging ingredients like retinol which helps improve skin texture, while Simple products on this page list no fragrance and are known for being gentle.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Archives of Dermatology, 2007

Simple or RoC: which cleanser is better?

Simple offers more effective cleansing overall, with reviewers noting its gentle daily cleansers. RoC also provides reliable options like its Barrier Renew Gel-to-Foam Cleanser.

Which is more affordable, Simple or RoC?

Simple is more affordable, as reviewers mention the brand for its affordable price and good value.

Between Simple and RoC, which brand is better suited for mature skin?

Between the two brands, RoC is better suited for mature skin because the products on this page achieve a Superior routine fit compared to the Average routine fit of Simple. RoC features key anti-aging ingredients like retinol which helps stimulate collagen accumulation in naturally aged skin.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000

Which skincare brand has more fragrance-free products, Simple or RoC?

Simple has more fragrance-free products on this page because every single one of its products lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas RoC includes fragrance in two of its items.

How do the founding years and current parent companies of Simple and RoC compare?

Simple was founded in 1960 in the United Kingdom and is owned by Unilever PLC. RoC was founded earlier in 1957 in France and is owned by Bridgepoint Group plc.

Simple or RoC for oily skin?

For oily skin, both Simple and RoC achieve a High routine fit level on this page. Reviewers note that Simple features lightweight, value-friendly moisturizers, while RoC offers non-greasy and lightweight serums.

Simple or RoC: which moisturizer is better?

Simple offers lightweight and value-friendly moisturizers that focus on gentle hydration with ingredients like glycerin and niacinamide, while RoC provides targeted anti-aging moisturizers featuring retinol and hyaluronic acid. For dry skin, the routine fit is High for Simple and Superior for RoC.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Simple or RoC for sensitive skin?

Simple tends to be better for sensitive skin because the products on this page are fragrance-free and reviewers frequently mention that the brand is gentle on sensitive skin. RoC also offers fragrance-free options across most of its products on this page, but reviewers more often note skin irritation and burning with its formulas.

Simple or RoC for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, Lovi rates RoC as Superior and Simple as High. RoC helps with wrinkle and fine line reduction through key ingredients like retinol, while Simple is known for being gentle on sensitive skin and offering effective cleansing.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000

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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