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NEOSTRATA RESTORE PHA Hydrating Gel Facial Cleanser; Sensitive Skin Exfoliating Blackhead Remover; Pore Minimizer; Acne Face Wash Makeup Remover with Glycine for Collagen & Polyhydroxy Acid, 6.8 oz vs Simple Smooth+ Gel Facial Cleanser AHA + hyaluronic acid gently exfoliates and helps promote cell turnover for smoother, radiant skin 240 ml

NEOSTRATA RESTORE PHA Hydrating Gel Facial Cleanser; Sensitive Skin Exfoliating Blackhead Remover; Pore Minimizer; Acne Face Wash Makeup Remover with Glycine for Collagen & Polyhydroxy Acid, 6.8 oz vs Simple Smooth+ Gel Facial Cleanser AHA + hyaluronic acid gently exfoliates and helps promote cell turnover for smoother, radiant skin 240 ml

Side-by-side comparison of scores, ingredients, prices and real customer feedback for NEOSTRATA RESTORE PHA Hydrating Gel Facial Cleanser; Sensitive Skin Exfoliating Blackhead Remover; Pore Minimizer; Acne Face Wash Makeup Remover with Glycine for Collagen & Polyhydroxy Acid, 6.8 oz and Simple Smooth+ Gel Facial Cleanser AHA + hyaluronic acid gently exfoliates and helps promote cell turnover for smoother, radiant skin 240 ml.

Last verified: 07 Apr 2026 · Based on 20 reviews

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79.0

Quick Answer

NEOSTRATA RESTORE PHA Hydrating Gel Facial Cleanser; Sensitive Skin Exfoliating Blackhead Remover; Pore Minimizer; Acne Face Wash Makeup Remover with Glycine for Collagen & Polyhydroxy Acid, 6.8 oz scores 79.0/100 vs Simple Smooth+ Gel Facial Cleanser AHA + hyaluronic acid gently exfoliates and helps promote cell turnover for smoother, radiant skin 240 ml at 77.0/100. NEOSTRATA RESTORE PHA Hydrating Gel Facial Cleanser; Sensitive Skin Exfoliating Blackhead Remover; Pore Minimizer; Acne Face Wash Makeup Remover with Glycine for Collagen & Polyhydroxy Acid, 6.8 oz wins on effectiveness, ingredient quality, skin compatibility. Simple Smooth+ Gel Facial Cleanser AHA + hyaluronic acid gently exfoliates and helps promote cell turnover for smoother, radiant skin 240 ml is stronger on texture experience and value for money.

How Do the Scores Compare?

NEOSTRATA RESTORE PHA Hydra...

Simple Smooth+ Gel Facial C...

	NEOSTRATA RESTORE PHA Hydra... NeoStrata	Simple Smooth+ Gel Facial C... Simpl
Overall Score	79.0	77.0
Effectiveness	78.0/100 Best	72.0/100
Ingredient Quality	83.0/100 Best	70.0/100
Skin Compatibility	90.0/100 Best	88.0/100
Texture & UX	80.0/100	83.0/100 Best
Value for Money	63.0/100	82.0/100 Best
Best Price	£42.55 Amazon UK →	£8.30 Amazon UK → Cheapest
Form	N/A	N/A
Dose	N/A	N/A
Third-Party Tested	✗ No	✗ No
Reviews Analysed	9	11

NEOSTRATA RESTORE PHA Hydrating ...

Pros

✓Soap-free and sulfate-free gel — preserves the acid mantle better than foaming cleansers
✓4% gluconolactone (PHA) provides gentle exfoliation and antioxidant protection, well-tolerated by sensitive and rosacea-prone skin
✓Exceptional long-term user loyalty (15+ years of repeat purchases reported) suggests genuine efficacy and safety profile
✓Very economical to use — reviewers confirm pea-sized amount is sufficient, making the bottle last significantly longer

Cons

✗Rinse-off format limits active exfoliating contact time — gluconolactone's full benefits are better delivered via leave-on serums or toners
✗Premium price point frequently cited; cost-per-use is moderate given the small amount needed
✗INCI list not provided for full comedogenicity and preservative audit
✗Not the best standalone solution for heavy makeup removal — works best as a second cleanse

Best For

sensitive and reactive skin acne-prone and combination skin rosacea-prone skin needing gentle exfoliation second-cleanse step after oil/balm cleanser those intolerant to AHAs (glycolic, lactic acid)

Amazon UK £42.55

View full review →

Simple Smooth+ Gel Facial Cleans...

Pros

✓Fragrance-free and sulphate-free — unusually gentle for an exfoliating cleanser
✓Lactic acid is the mildest AHA, suitable even for reactive and sensitive skin
✓Hyaluronic acid partially offsets typical AHA dryness during cleansing step
✓Very economical — multiple reviewers note a small amount goes a long way

Cons

✗Rinse-off AHA delivers minimal exfoliation versus dedicated leave-on serums or toners
✗Product instructions caution against daily use due to AHA content — limits convenience
✗No INCI list provided, so active concentrations and full ingredient order cannot be verified
✗Not suited to those seeking meaningful chemical exfoliation — effect is gentle at best

Best For

sensitive and reactive skin dry skin needing hydration alongside cleansing AHA beginners wanting a low-risk introduction fragrance-sensitive or sensory-sensitive individuals normal skin seeking mild maintenance exfoliation

Amazon UK £8.30

View full review →

What does the data say about NEOSTRATA RESTORE PHA ... vs Simple Smooth+ Gel Fac...?

NeoStrata's PHA Gel Cleanser is a soap-free, rinse-off formulation built around 4% gluconolactone — a polyhydroxy acid known for its larger molecular size, slower skin penetration, and intrinsic humectant and antioxidant properties, making it considerably gentler than classic AHAs.

Effectiveness

NEOSTRATA RESTOR..

78.0/100

Simple Smooth+ G..

72.0/100

Ingredient Quality

NEOSTRATA RESTOR..

83.0/100

Simple Smooth+ G..

70.0/100

Skin Compatibility

NEOSTRATA RESTOR..

90.0/100

Simple Smooth+ G..

88.0/100

Texture & UX

NEOSTRATA RESTOR..

80.0/100

Simple Smooth+ G..

83.0/100

Value for Money

NEOSTRATA RESTOR..

63.0/100

Simple Smooth+ G..

82.0/100

What are the key differences?

NEOSTRATA RESTORE PHA H.. is best for: sensitive and reactive skin, acne-prone and combination skin

Simple Smooth+ Gel Faci.. is best for: sensitive and reactive skin, dry skin needing hydration alongside cleansing

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, NEOSTRATA RESTORE PHA Hydrating Gel Facial Cleanser; Sensitive Skin Exfoliating Blackhead Remover; Pore Minimizer; Acne Face Wash Makeup Remover with Glycine for Collagen & Polyhydroxy Acid, 6.8 oz or Simple Smooth+ Gel Facial Cleanser AHA + hyaluronic acid gently exfoliates and helps promote cell turnover for smoother, radiant skin 240 ml? ▼

NEOSTRATA RESTORE PHA Hydrating Gel Facial Cleanser; Sensitive Skin Exfoliating Blackhead Remover; Pore Minimizer; Acne Face Wash Makeup Remover with Glycine for Collagen & Polyhydroxy Acid, 6.8 oz scores 79.0/100 overall while Simple Smooth+ Gel Facial Cleanser AHA + hyaluronic acid gently exfoliates and helps promote cell turnover for smoother, radiant skin 240 ml scores 77.0/100. NEOSTRATA RESTORE PHA Hydrating Gel Facial Cleanser; Sensitive Skin Exfoliating Blackhead Remover; Pore Minimizer; Acne Face Wash Makeup Remover with Glycine for Collagen & Polyhydroxy Acid, 6.8 oz comes out ahead, scoring higher on effectiveness (78.0 vs 72.0). NEOSTRATA RESTORE PHA Hydratin is best suited for sensitive and reactive skin and acne-prone and combination skin. Simple Smooth+ Gel Facial Clea is better for sensitive and reactive skin and dry skin needing hydration alongside cleansing.

Is NEOSTRATA RESTORE PHA Hydrating Gel Facial Cleanser; Sensitive Skin Exfoliating Blackhead Remover; Pore Minimizer; Acne Face Wash Makeup Remover with Glycine for Collagen & Polyhydroxy Acid, 6.8 oz worth the price compared to Simple Smooth+ Gel Facial Cleanser AHA + hyaluronic acid gently exfoliates and helps promote cell turnover for smoother, radiant skin 240 ml? ▼

NEOSTRATA RESTORE PHA Hydrating Gel Facial Cleanser; Sensitive Skin Exfoliating Blackhead Remover; Pore Minimizer; Acne Face Wash Makeup Remover with Glycine for Collagen & Polyhydroxy Acid, 6.8 oz costs £42.55 while Simple Smooth+ Gel Facial Cleanser AHA + hyaluronic acid gently exfoliates and helps promote cell turnover for smoother, radiant skin 240 ml is £8.30. For value, NEOSTRATA RESTORE PHA Hydrating Gel Facial Cleanser; Sensitive Skin Exfoliating Blackhead Remover; Pore Minimizer; Acne Face Wash Makeup Remover with Glycine for Collagen & Polyhydroxy Acid, 6.8 oz scores 63.0/100 vs Simple Smooth+ Gel Facial Cleanser AHA + hyaluronic acid gently exfoliates and helps promote cell turnover for smoother, radiant skin 240 ml's 82.0/100. Simple Smooth+ Gel Facial Cleanser AHA + hyaluronic acid gently exfoliates and helps promote cell turnover for smoother, radiant skin 240 ml delivers better value relative to its quality.

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Disclaimer: AIScored provides data-driven comparisons based on publicly available reviews. This is not medical advice. Affiliate links may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.

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