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The Ordinary vs Avène

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

The Ordinary and Avène are distinct skincare lines created to support various complexions through targeted science. The Canadian brand offers serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and toners built around hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, suiting sensitive and combination skin best. Meanwhile, the French brand is universally loved for its rich moisturizers, reliable sunscreens, targeted serums, gentle cleansers, and hydrating glycerin, suiting oily acne-prone and acne-prone skin best. Ultimately, both differ through their unique formulations, allowing consumers to choose based on individual preferences and specific needs.

The Ordinary is a Canadian skincare brand founded in 2016 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 2021.

glossy.coen.wikipedia.org

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 The Ordinary and Avène products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular The Ordinary vs Avène products

People Say

The OrdinaryAvène
  • Gentle and non-irritating Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “leaves face clean but not dry — Avène Cleanance”
    • “Perfect cleanser for sensitive skin. — Avène Milk Cleanser”
    • “no irritation at all — Avène Hydrance+”
    • “Leaves my face feeling soft and not tight at all. — The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser”
  • Texture smoothing Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “glass skin effect — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
    • “pores look significantly smaller — The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%”
    • “skin feels baby butt smooth — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
    • “I've noticed a definite improvement in the fine lines around my eyes — Avène RetrinAL EYES”
  • Great value and price Mostly MentionedRarely Noted
    • “lasts forever — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
    • “can't beat the price — The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution”
    • “extremely affordable — The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%”
    • “Bottle lasts for months — Avène Cleanance Cleansing Gel”
  • Acne clearing Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “pimples disappear within a day — The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution”
    • “scars and hormonal acne faded — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
    • “faded dark spots — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
    • “Cleared my cystic acne — Avène Cleanance Cleansing Gel”
  • Hydration and plumping Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Restores moisture barrier — Avène Cold Cream”
    • “Leaves my skin feeling soft and hydrated. — Avène Milk Cleanser”
    • “intensely hydrated — Avène Hyaluron Activ B3 Concentrated Plumping Serum”
    • “skin feels immediately hydrated — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • Lightweight absorption Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “absorbs very quickly — Avène Vitamin Activ Cg Radiance Concentrated Serum”
    • “Absorbs into skin without residue. — Avène Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm”
    • “It absorbs quickly and leaves the delicate eye area feeling hydrated — Avène RetrinAL EYES”
    • “Sinks in immediately — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
  • Sticky finish Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “sticky kinda feeling — Avène Hyaluron Activ B3 Concentrated Plumping Serum”
    • “Left unpleasant greasy film — Avène Soothing Radiance Mask”
    • “feels very sticky — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • Unpleasant scent Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Smells like vinegar — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
    • “smell is unbearable — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
    • “has a slight chemical smell — The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA”
    • “The fragrance is very present. — Avène Milk Cleanser”
  • Stinging and irritation Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “burned my skin — Avène Cleanance”
    • “caused burning sensation — Avène Vitamin Activ Cg Radiance Concentrated Serum”
    • “caused rash — Avène Antirougeurs Fort Relief Concentrate”
    • “stings a little but worth it — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”

The Ordinary vs Avène routines for dry skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · AED 542.90 · 89% fitBuy Avène routine · AED 669.42 · 77% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

The Ordinary vs Avène routines for oily skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · AED 833.82 · 91% fitBuy Avène routine · AED 859.37 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

The Ordinary vs Avène routines for combination skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · AED 712.46 · 92% fitBuy Avène routine · AED 1,056.50 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or Avène: which is better?

The Ordinary offers superior value and routine fit for most skin types on this page, including sensitive, combination, and mature skin, while Avène is better for oily acne-prone skin. The Ordinary products on this page list no fragrance, whereas some Avène products contain fragrance. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin hydration and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Avène?

The Ordinary offers fragrance-free, budget-friendly serums that target concerns like dark spots and acne, whereas Avène focuses heavily on soothing thermal spring water formulas tailored for oily, acne-prone, and sensitive skin. Lovi rates The Ordinary as Superior for sensitive, combination, and dark spot skin types, while Avène achieves a Superior fit specifically for oily acne-prone skin.

The Ordinary or Avène for dry skin?

Both brands are a great match for dry skin, giving it a High routine fit level. The Ordinary helps with dry skin because its products on this page list no fragrance, while Avène is deeply hydrating.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002

The Ordinary or Avène: which cleanser is better?

The Ordinary offers better value with the Glycolipid Cream Cleanser providing a High fit for dry skin, while Avène features gentle cleansers like the Milk Cleanser for dry skin and Cleanance Cleansing Gel for oily acne-prone skin.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Avène?

The Ordinary offers more affordable and great value serums compared to Avène.

Do The Ordinary products contain fragrance?

Every product by The Ordinary on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Which brand is better for oily acne-prone skin?

The Ordinary is a better fit for oily acne-prone skin, holding a High Lovi fit level compared to Avène's Superior level. Both brands offer targeted options, but The Ordinary provides superior overall value and acne-clearing serums on the products on this page.

When was The Ordinary founded and who owns it?

The Ordinary was founded in 2016 in Canada and has been owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 2021.

The Ordinary or Avène for sensitive skin?

The Ordinary is a Superior fit for sensitive skin, whereas Avène is a High fit. Reviewers frequently note that The Ordinary offers gentle and non-irritating serums at a great value, while every product on its page lists no fragrance.

The Ordinary or Avène: which moisturizer is better?

When it comes to moisturizers, The Ordinary is a better fit for dry skin, where Lovi rates its fit as Superior, compared to Avène's Average level for some of its options. The Ordinary offers fragrance-free hydrating products, whereas several Avène moisturizers on this page list fragrance which may sometimes cause irritation.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Avène for acne-prone skin?

Both brands offer a High fit for acne-prone skin, but The Ordinary may be preferred for its affordable, acne-clearing serums that target blemishes directly.

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

How does it fit your skin?

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