Simple or Cetaphil? Picking between two of the plainest face washes around

Two of the top three beauty best sellers right now are face washes that promise very little, and that tells you something. People are tired of skincare that shouts. Simple has built its whole name on doing less, and this 150 ml, soap-free wash for all skin types is a good example.

If you are choosing between this and Cetaphil's hydrating wash, here is how we would think about it.

What "soap-free" buys you

Ordinary soap tends to leave skin feeling dry and tight. Soap-free cleansers use milder ingredients, so your face feels clean without that squeaky stretch afterwards. Both Simple and Cetaphil share this idea.

How they differ

Simple refreshing wash

• Pitched as refreshing, for all skin types
• 150 ml, a little more than Cetaphil's 118 ml bottle
• An easy choice for a shared bathroom, where everyone has different skin

Cetaphil hydrating wash

• Pitched at dry to normal and sensitive skin
• Adds niacinamide and vitamin B5
• Better suited if your skin often feels tight or reacts easily

Where neither will do much

• Heavy or waterproof makeup: remove it first, then wash
• Acne or skin conditions: a dermatologist will help more than any listing
• A dramatic, tingly clean: gentle washes feel tame by design

Before you buy

Check the ingredient list in the listing images for fragrance if that bothers you, and look at the batch and expiry date when the bottle arrives.

In the end, the choice between these two mostly comes down to which feel you prefer. Both are sensible, gentle and pleasantly boring, which is what you want next to the bathroom sink.