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The Ordinary Glucoside Foaming Cleanser, Gentle Foaming Face Wash for All Skin Types Including Sensitive Skin, 150ml vs Simple Smooth+ Gel Facial Cleanser AHA + hyaluronic acid gently exfoliates and helps promote cell turnover for smoother, radiant skin 240 ml

The Ordinary Glucoside Foaming Cleanser, Gentle Foaming Face Wash for All Skin Types Including Sensitive Skin, 150ml 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 The Ordinary Glucoside Foaming Cleanser, Gentle Foaming Face Wash for All Skin Types Including Sensitive Skin, 150ml 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 22 reviews

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84.0

Quick Answer

The Ordinary Glucoside Foaming Cleanser, Gentle Foaming Face Wash for All Skin Types Including Sensitive Skin, 150ml scores 84.0/100 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. The Ordinary Glucoside Foaming Cleanser, Gentle Foaming Face Wash for All Skin Types Including Sensitive Skin, 150ml wins on effectiveness, ingredient quality, value for money. Simple Smooth+ Gel Facial Cleanser AHA + hyaluronic acid gently exfoliates and helps promote cell turnover for smoother, radiant skin 240 ml is stronger on skin compatibility and texture experience.

Which is better: The Ordinary Glucoside Foam... or Simple Smooth+ Gel Facial C...?

The Ordinary Glucoside Foaming Cleanser wins with a stronger overall score (84 vs 77) and superior ingredient quality (86 vs 70), delivering reliable daily cleansing without compromise. Simple's gel cleanser suits AHA beginners who want mild exfoliation alongside hydration, though the rinse-off format limits its effectiveness versus leave-on alternatives.

— AIScored Editorial Team

How Do the Scores Compare?

The Ordinary Glucoside Foam...

Simple Smooth+ Gel Facial C...

	The Ordinary Glucoside Foam...	Simple Smooth+ Gel Facial C... Simpl
Overall Score	84.0	77.0
Effectiveness	82.0/100 Best	72.0/100
Ingredient Quality	86.0/100 Best	70.0/100
Skin Compatibility	84.0/100	88.0/100 Best
Texture & UX	78.0/100	83.0/100 Best
Value for Money	90.0/100 Best	82.0/100
Best Price	£10.95 Amazon UK →	£8.30 Amazon UK → Cheapest
Form	N/A	N/A
Dose	N/A	N/A
Third-Party Tested	✗ No	✗ No
Reviews Analysed	11	11

The Ordinary Glucoside Foaming C...

Pros

✓Glucoside and betaine surfactant base — among the gentlest cleansing agents available, non-stripping
✓Completely fragrance-free and free of common sensitisers — genuine fit for reactive and sensitive skin
✓Effective daily cleansing including light makeup removal without compromising skin barrier
✓Excellent value for money — The Ordinary's pricing undercuts competitors with comparable formulations

Cons

✗May cause mild tightness or dryness for very dry or dehydrated skin types — follow with moisturiser
✗Foam format delivers less emollient feel than cream or oil cleansers; less suitable as a standalone for dry skin in winter
✗No additional actives (no niacinamide, AHAs, etc.) — purely a cleanser with no treatment benefit
✗150ml size is modest for twice-daily use; heavier users may find it runs out faster than expected

Best For

sensitive and reactive skin prone to redness oily and combination skin as a morning or evening cleanse fragrance-sensitive skin budget-conscious skincare routines perimenopausal skin needing a non-hormonal-disrupting cleanser

Amazon UK £10.95

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 The Ordinary Glucoside... vs Simple Smooth+ Gel Fac...?

These two cleansers take quite different approaches. The Ordinary Glucoside Foaming Cleanser (£10.95, 84/100) uses glucoside and betaine surfactants — some of the gentlest cleansing agents in formulation, with no fragrance and no common sensitisers. It cleans thoroughly, handles light makeup, and leaves the barrier intact. Simple's Smooth+ Gel Cleanser (£8.30, 77/100) adds lactic acid and hyaluronic acid to the mix, aiming to cleanse and lightly exfoliate in one step. On paper that sounds efficient, but lactic acid rinsed off in 30 seconds delivers far less benefit than a leave-on AHA, which partly explains the lower effectiveness score of 72 versus 82.

If your main concern is daily cleansing without irritation — particularly if your skin is reactive, redness-prone, or fragrance-sensitive — The Ordinary is the clearer pick. It scores higher across the board and costs only £2.65 more for a smaller volume but more focused formula. Simple suits someone curious about AHA benefits who wants a low-commitment introduction, though the brand itself advises against daily use, which limits its practicality.

Neither is third-party tested, so ingredient claims rest on trust in the brand. For very dry skin, both foam formats can feel tight without a moisturiser to follow.

The Ordinary Glucoside Foaming Cleanser, Gentle Foaming Face Wash for All Skin Types Including Sensitive Skin, 150ml Winner 84.0/100

The Ordinary Glucoside Foaming Cleanser is built around alkyl glucoside surfactants (Decyl Glucoside, Coco-Glucoside) paired with Cocamidopropyl Betaine — a trio of mild, sugar-derived and amphoteric cleansers that produce a light foam without the harshness of sulphates (SLS/SLES).

Effectiveness

The Ordinary Glu..

82.0/100

Simple Smooth+ G..

72.0/100

Ingredient Quality

The Ordinary Glu..

86.0/100

Simple Smooth+ G..

70.0/100

Skin Compatibility

The Ordinary Glu..

84.0/100

Simple Smooth+ G..

88.0/100

Texture & UX

The Ordinary Glu..

78.0/100

Simple Smooth+ G..

83.0/100

Value for Money

The Ordinary Glu..

90.0/100

Simple Smooth+ G..

82.0/100

What are the key differences?

The Ordinary Glucoside .. is best for: sensitive and reactive skin prone to redness, oily and combination skin as a morning or evening cleanse

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, The Ordinary Glucoside Foaming Cleanser, Gentle Foaming Face Wash for All Skin Types Including Sensitive Skin, 150ml or Simple Smooth+ Gel Facial Cleanser AHA + hyaluronic acid gently exfoliates and helps promote cell turnover for smoother, radiant skin 240 ml? ▼

The Ordinary Glucoside Foaming Cleanser, Gentle Foaming Face Wash for All Skin Types Including Sensitive Skin, 150ml scores 84.0/100 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. The Ordinary Glucoside Foaming Cleanser, Gentle Foaming Face Wash for All Skin Types Including Sensitive Skin, 150ml comes out ahead, scoring higher on effectiveness (82.0 vs 72.0). The Ordinary Glucoside Foaming is best suited for sensitive and reactive skin prone to redness and oily and combination skin as a morning or evening cleanse. Simple Smooth+ Gel Facial Clea is better for sensitive and reactive skin and dry skin needing hydration alongside cleansing.

Is The Ordinary Glucoside Foaming Cleanser, Gentle Foaming Face Wash for All Skin Types Including Sensitive Skin, 150ml 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? ▼

The Ordinary Glucoside Foaming Cleanser, Gentle Foaming Face Wash for All Skin Types Including Sensitive Skin, 150ml costs £10.95 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, The Ordinary Glucoside Foaming Cleanser, Gentle Foaming Face Wash for All Skin Types Including Sensitive Skin, 150ml scores 90.0/100 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. The Ordinary Glucoside Foaming Cleanser, Gentle Foaming Face Wash for All Skin Types Including Sensitive Skin, 150ml delivers better value relative to its quality.