🇦🇺Australia

Avène vs Simple

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

Avène and Simple are two distinct skincare lines known for gentle cleansers, moisturizers, and barrier-supporting glycerin that suit oily acne-prone skin and acne-prone skin alike. The French creator, founded in 1990, relies on science-backed formulations featuring rich moisturizers, sunscreens, and targeted serums like the Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm, Cleanance, and Hyaluron Activ B3 Concentrated Plumping Serum to ensure a calm complexion. Conversely, the British creator, established in 1960 under Unilever PLC, thoughtfully incorporates niacinamide into makeup removers, toners, and cleansers such as the Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner and Micellar Cleansing Water to reduce hyperpigmentation and improve aging signs. Ultimately, both brands differ as one emphasizes advanced targeted treatments while the other focuses on straightforward, skin-friendly daily essentials.

Avène is a French skincare brand founded in 1990 and owned by Fondation Pierre Fabre.

pierre-fabre.comavene.co.ukaveneusa.com

Simple is a British skincare brand founded in 1960 and owned by Unilever PLC since 2011.

en.wikipedia.orgsec.govprnewswire.comsimple.co.uk

This page compares some of the most popular Avène and Simple products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Avène vs Simple products

People Say

AvèneSimple
  • Soothes and calms sensitive skin Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Does not cause any form of irritation on the skin which I love. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “The only cleanser that doesn't turn my face red. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “no artificial perfume — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “Calmed my angry red skin overnight — Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream”
  • Rich texture and deep hydration Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “banished dryness within days — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
    • “Instantly boosts skin's hydration... face doesn't feel dry and tight. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “Thick but absorbs well eventually — Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream”
  • Improves overall skin texture and radiance Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
    • “absorbs very quickly — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “love that it's alcohol-free — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
    • “immediate radiance boost — Avène Vitamin Activ Cg Radiance Concentrated Serum”
  • Gentle and non-stripping cleansers Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Takes off any makeup residue and makes my face feel refreshed. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “Best morning cleanser — Simple Refreshing Facial Wash”
    • “Skin feels soft not dry — Simple Refreshing Facial Wash”
    • “leaves face clean but not dry — Avène Cleanance”
  • Price point and value Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “great value for money — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
    • “super affordable — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “Can't beat the price for the quality. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “Bottle lasts for months — Avène Cleanance Cleansing Gel”
  • Repairs and protects skin barrier Often MentionedNot noted
    • “Saves my skin in winter — Avène Cold Cream”
    • “Healed my over-exfoliated skin in days — Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream”
    • “This repairs my skin barrier without fail. — Avène Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm”
  • Formula changes and product issues Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “bring it back — Avène Antirougeurs Fort Relief Concentrate”
    • “They have changed the formula recently, and it... is not as good. — Avène Milk Cleanser”
    • “It absolutely couldn't remove anything on its own. — Avène Milk Cleanser”
    • “Did not remove my mascara very well at all. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
  • Causes breakouts and skin reactions Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Woke up with tiny whiteheads all over — Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream”
    • “Caused small bumps/texture — Avène Soothing Radiance Mask”
    • “Gave me tiny bumps on my forehead. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “caused major breakouts — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
  • Thick or greasy residue Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Leaves a greasy film — Avène Cold Cream”
    • “too thick — Avène Hydrance+”
    • “Feels slimy on skin — Simple Refreshing Facial Wash”
    • “Still feeling a little bit of a film on my skin. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”

Avène vs Simple routines for dry skin

Buy Simple routine · A$208.81 · 84% fitBuy Avène routine · A$239.08 · 78% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Avène vs Simple routines for oily skin

Buy Avène routine · A$394.87 · 87% fitBuy Simple routine · A$388.80 · 86% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Avène vs Simple routines for combination skin

Buy Avène routine · A$381.11 · 87% fitBuy Simple routine · A$322.10 · 84% fitSee multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

Avène or Simple: which is better?

Both brands perform well on this page, as Lovi rates their routines as having equal fit levels for most skin types, though Avène reaches a Superior fit for oily acne-prone skin while Simple reaches a High fit. Simple tends to do better on review themes like soothing sensitive skin and value, while Avène does better with barrier repair.

What is the difference between Avène and Simple?

Simple does better for soothing and calming sensitive skin, deep hydration, improving overall skin texture and radiance, gentle cleansers, and price point. Avène does better for repairing and protecting the skin barrier.

Avène or Simple for dry skin?

Avène and Simple both have a High routine fit for dry skin, though Avène offers specific products like Eau Thermale Thermal Spring Water with a Superior fit level for dry skin. Glycerin helps provide hydration across both brands.

Avène or Simple: which cleanser is better?

Simple does better for gentle and non-stripping cleansers on this page. Reviewers report that its cleansers feel gentle, while Avène cleansers may sometimes feature strong fragrance.

Which is more affordable, Avène or Simple?

Simple is more affordable, as reviewers on the page mostly mention it for its lightweight, value-friendly moisturizers.

Which brand uses fragrance in its products, Avène or Simple?

Avène uses fragrance in several of its products on this page, while Simple lists no fragrance in any of its products.

Avène or Simple for oily skin?

Avène and Simple are both a High fit for oily skin. Reviewers note that Avène provides effective oil control, and every product on the Simple page lists no fragrance.

Avène or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

Both Avène and Simple offer moisturizers with similar routine fit levels across most skin types, but Simple stands out for providing a rich texture and deep hydration. Simple products on this page list no fragrance, whereas some Avène moisturizers contain fragrance. Glycerin helps hydrate the skin in both brands, while niacinamide in Simple moisturizers helps control skin aging and pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Avène or Simple for sensitive skin?

Both Avène and Simple are great choices, as Lovi rates their routines High for sensitive skin. Reviewers note that Simple does better at soothing and calming sensitive skin, while Avène features thermal water and glycerin across its products on this page to help hydrate.

Avène or Simple for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, Avène holds a superior Lovi fit level, while Simple reaches a high fit level on this page. Reviewers report that Avène offers gentle cleansers and effective oil control, whereas Simple provides lightweight moisturizers and sensitive-skin-friendly makeup removers.

Avène or Simple for dry sensitive skin?

Simple is a better fit for dry sensitive skin, earning a High Lovi fit level compared to an Average level for Avène.

Avène or Simple for oily acne-prone skin?

For oily acne-prone skin, Avène is the better choice because Lovi rates its fit as Superior while Simple has a High fit level. Reviewers often note that Avène provides effective oil control and gentle deep-cleaning cleansers that help manage breakouts.

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?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play