Avène vs Grown Alchemist
Avène and Grown Alchemist are two distinct skincare lines known for differing formulations and targeted benefits. Avène, founded in 1990 and owned by Fondation Pierre Fabre, features rich moisturizers, reliable sunscreens, targeted serums, gentle cleansers, and hydrating glycerin, whereas Grown Alchemist is loved for its cleansers, serums, and overall formulas. While the former suits oily acne-prone skin best through barrier-restoring glycerin and science-backed science, the latter suits sensitive, dry, and combination skin. Ultimately, both offer standout solutions like specialized balms and smoothing serums to ensure every consumer enjoys a calm and balanced complexion.
Avène is a French skincare brand founded in 1990 and owned by Fondation Pierre Fabre.
pierre-fabre.comavene.co.ukaveneusa.com
This page compares some of the most popular Avène and Grown Alchemist products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Avène vs Grown Alchemist products
People Say
Gentle and non-stripping Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “leaves face clean but not dry — Avène Cleanance”
- “Perfect cleanser for sensitive skin. — Avène Milk Cleanser”
- “Doesn't dry out my skin — Grown Alchemist Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser”
- “Perfect for sensitive skin — Grown Alchemist Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser”
Deeply hydrating Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “Restores moisture barrier — Avène Cold Cream”
- “Leaves my skin feeling soft and hydrated. — Avène Milk Cleanser”
- “Skin version of chugging water — Grown Alchemist Instant Smoothing Serum”
Pleasant scent Not notedMostly Mentioned
- “Smells amazing — Grown Alchemist Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser”
- “smell is divine — Grown Alchemist Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser”
Effective oil control and cleansing Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “Gets everything nice and clean — Grown Alchemist Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser”
- “Keeps me matte for hours — Avène Cleanance Cleansing Gel”
Hydrating and lightweight Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “Very light weight — Grown Alchemist Instant Smoothing Serum”
- “absorbs very quickly — Avène Vitamin Activ Cg Radiance Concentrated Serum”
Smooths fine lines and improves texture Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “I've noticed a definite improvement in the fine lines around my eyes — Avène RetrinAL EYES”
- “skin feels smoother — Avène Vitamin Activ Cg Radiance Concentrated Serum”
- “Smooths out fine lines — Grown Alchemist Instant Smoothing Serum”
Strong fragrance Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “The fragrance is very present. — Avène Milk Cleanser”
- “smell is too strong — Avène Cleanance”
- “Too perfumy notes — Grown Alchemist Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser”
- “smells medicinal — Grown Alchemist Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser”
High price Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
- “Its a bit pricey but so worth it!! — Avène Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm”
- “Tiny tube for the money — Avène Cold Cream”
- “Tube is quite small — Avène Soothing Radiance Mask”
- “expensive for what it is — Grown Alchemist Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser”
Product separation and packaging issues Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “Tube squirted water everywhere — Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream”
- “Tube cracked on the side — Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream”
- “Cap leaks in bag — Avène Cleanance Cleansing Gel”
- “tube cracks easily — Grown Alchemist Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser”
Questions and answers
Avène or Grown Alchemist: which is better?
Grown Alchemist does better for a pleasant scent as well as effective oil control and cleansing, while the products on this page for both brands are equal when it comes to being gentle and non-stripping and deeply hydrating.
Avène or Grown Alchemist: which cleanser is better?
When comparing cleansers, Avène features products like Cleanance Cleansing Gel which Lovi rates as High for oily and acne-prone skin, alongside Milk Cleanser which achieves a High fit for dry and sensitive skin. Reviewers note that Avène offers gentle deep cleanses while Grown Alchemist cleansers are described as hydrating, gentle, and pleasant.
Which is more affordable, Avène or Grown Alchemist?
According to the review themes on this page, Grown Alchemist has a high price, while Avène is also noted for a high price, though no direct price comparison is provided.
Which causes fewer breakouts, Avène or Grown Alchemist?
For acne-prone and oily acne-prone skin, Avène has Lovi fit levels ranging from Average to High across the products on this page, whereas Grown Alchemist rates Average.
How do the founding years and ownership structures of Avène and Grown Alchemist compare?
Avène was founded in France in 1990 and is owned by Fondation Pierre Fabre, whereas Grown Alchemist was founded in 2008 and has been independently owned since 2024.
Which brand offers more fragrance-free product options on this page?
Grown Alchemist offers more fragrance-free product options on this page, as every product listed for the brand contains no fragrance, whereas Avène has 7 out of 15 products that list no fragrance.
What do reviewers say about the price point and potential packaging issues for both brands?
Reviewers note that a high price point can be a drawback for Avène products, whereas product separation and packaging issues are sometimes noted for Avène.
Research behind their key ingredients
The effect of niacinamide on reducing cutaneous pigmentation and suppression of melanosome transfer
Final report on the safety assessment of Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid, and Sodium Benzoate
Molecular basis of retinol anti-ageing properties in naturally aged human skin in vivo
Efficacy of olive leaf extract-containing cream for facial rejuvenation: A pilot study
An oil-soluble extract of Rubus idaeus cells enhances hydration and water homeostasis in skin cells
A Rose Extract Protects the Skin against Stress Mediators: A Potential Role of Olfactory Receptors
Comparative benefit of two thermal spring waters after photodynamic therapy procedure
Comparison of methods for assessing photoprotection against ultraviolet A in vivo
Development and efficacy assessments of tea seed oil makeup remover
Treatment with Ascorbyl Glucoside-Arginine Complex Ameliorates Solar Lentigos
Effects of fermented tea seed oil on the skin lipid barrier and microbiome of sensitive skin
Retrospective Review of Dermal Safety Studies of Organic Sunscreens
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.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
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