🇬🇧United Kingdom

Simple vs Shiseido

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

Simple and Shiseido are distinguished global skincare brands, with the former founded in Britain in 1960 and the latter established in Japan in 1872. Simple is beloved for its gentle moisturizers, makeup removers, cleansers, and toners crafted with niacinamide and glycerin, while the Japanese brand is beloved for its thoughtful array of moisturizers, cleansers, sunscreens, serums, and more formulated with key ingredients like glycerin. The British range suits acne-prone skin and skin with dark spots best, whereas the other brand suits sensitive skin and mature skin best. They differ primarily in their heritage and targeted skin concerns, as the British line relies on niacinamide to reduce hyperpigmentation and improve aging signs, while both brands utilize glycerin to improve skin hydration and barrier function.

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

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

Shiseido is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1872 and owned by Shiseido Company, Limited.

corp.shiseido.comen.wikipedia.orgmarketscreener.com

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

Popular Simple vs Shiseido products

People Say

SimpleShiseido
  • Hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Immediate sensation of comfort — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
    • “skin feels plump, soft and nourished, eliminates dryness, bouncy feel — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
    • “Skin feels more hydrated — Shiseido Activating Essence”
    • “banished dryness within days — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
  • 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 irritation — Shiseido Essential Energy Hydrating Cream”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
    • “absorbs very quickly — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “absorbs really well — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “Airy-soft texture — Shiseido Essential Energy Hydrating Cream”
  • Luxurious texture and feel Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “silky smooth, rich but non-greasy, absorbs quickly, melts into skin — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
    • “Velvety, rich cream texture — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
    • “Velvety texture — Shiseido FUTURE SOLUTION LX”
  • 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”
    • “face feels squeaky clean — Shiseido Clarifying Cleansing Foam”
  • 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”
  • High price point Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “Very expensive for the size — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
  • Strong fragrance and scent Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “old lady smell — Shiseido Eudermine Revitalizing Essence”
  • Not enough moisture Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Not enough for winter — Shiseido Essential Energy Hydrating Cream”
    • “feels a bit oily — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream Enriched”
    • “not moisturizing enough — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”

Simple vs Shiseido routines for dry skin

Buy Simple routine · £136.73 · 83% fitBuy Shiseido routine · £251.59 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Simple vs Shiseido routines for oily skin

Buy Simple routine · £221.50 · 87% fitBuy Shiseido routine · £342.29 · 84% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Simple vs Shiseido routines for combination skin

Buy Simple routine · £185.60 · 85% fitBuy Shiseido routine · £296.92 · 82% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Simple or Shiseido: which is better?

Simple tends to be better for value and gentle care, while Shiseido is often chosen for luxurious textures and deep hydration. Reviewers note that Simple offers affordable, lightweight moisturizers and sensitive-skin-friendly makeup removers, whereas Shiseido provides deep-cleansing cleansers and firming moisturizers at a higher price point.

What is the difference between Simple and Shiseido?

Simple offers affordable, fragrance-free products that reviewers note are gentle and lightweight, whereas Shiseido provides luxurious, deeply hydrating formulas that often feature strong fragrances.

Simple or Shiseido for dry skin?

Simple offers a High routine fit for dry skin, while Shiseido provides an Average routine fit. Reviewers note that Simple features lightweight, value-friendly moisturizers, whereas Shiseido products on this page frequently include fragrance.

Simple or Shiseido: which cleanser is better?

Simple offers effective and gentle cleansers that help clean skin well, while Shiseido provides deep-cleansing and efficient cleansers that may be luxurious. Reviewers note that Simple generally does better with effective cleansing.

Which is more affordable, Simple or Shiseido?

Simple is more affordable, as reviewers mention it provides value-friendly moisturizers, whereas Shiseido has a high price point.

Between Simple and Shiseido, which brand offers better options for addressing skin with dark spots?

Simple and Shiseido both offer great choices for skin with dark spots, as the products on this page achieve a High Lovi fit level for this concern. Niacinamide in Simple products helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

How do the fragrance profiles of Simple and Shiseido skincare products compare based on their ingredients?

Simple features fragrance-free formulations, as every product on the page lists no fragrance in its ingredients. In contrast, many Shiseido products include added fragrance, with only 5 of the 20 products on the page listing no fragrance.

Which brand performs better for mature skin according to the review themes and routine fits?

Simple performs better for mature skin regarding routine fit, achieving a High routine fit compared to Shiseido's Average routine fit. However, Shiseido is noted for providing deep hydration and luxurious textures.

Simple or Shiseido for oily skin?

Simple and Shiseido both provide a High routine fit for oily skin. Reviewers note that Simple offers lightweight, value-friendly moisturizers, while Shiseido provides deep-cleansing and efficient cleansers.

Simple or Shiseido: which moisturizer is better?

Simple features lightweight and value-friendly moisturizers, whereas Shiseido offers luxurious and firming moisturizers with a high price point. The products on this page for Simple include moisturizers like Hydrating Light Moisturiser and Replenishing Rich Moisturiser, and for Shiseido include VITAL PERFECTION and Essential Energy Hydrating Cream.

Simple or Shiseido for sensitive skin?

Simple is a better choice for sensitive skin because the products on this page are rated High for sensitive skin and every product lists no fragrance. Shiseido also achieves a High fit level for sensitive skin in its routines, but many of its products contain fragrance.

Simple or Shiseido for acne-prone skin?

Simple is a better fit for acne-prone skin, as the products on this page achieve a High routine fit compared to Shiseido's Average fit level. Simple is also noted for being gentle on sensitive skin and providing effective cleansing, while key ingredients like Niacinamide help control skin pigmentation and signs of aging.

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

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