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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 varying complexions through science-backed formulations. The Canadian brand centers its serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and toners on hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane to suit dry and dry sensitive skin, while the French brand is universally loved for its rich moisturizers, reliable sunscreens, targeted serums, gentle cleansers, and hydrating glycerin that suit oily acne-prone and acne-prone skin best. Both utilize ingredients like glycerin to improve hydration and restore barrier function, yet they differ in their foundational approaches to addressing concerns like dark spots, acne, and maturity. Ultimately, choosing between them depends on whether one prefers targeted single-ingredient solutions or comprehensive soothing care.

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 · A$192.91 · 96% fitBuy Avène routine · A$239.08 · 78% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

The Ordinary vs Avène routines for oily skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · A$285.78 · 92% fitBuy Avène routine · A$394.87 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

The Ordinary vs Avène routines for combination skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · A$219.69 · 91% fitBuy Avène routine · A$381.11 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or Avène: which is better?

The Ordinary offers superior routine fit and value for most skin types on this page, while Avène is a great alternative for oily acne-prone skin. Hyaluronic acid helps improve skin hydration and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Avène?

The Ordinary provides great value and texture smoothing with fragrance-free formulas, while Avène focuses on gentle soothing and lightweight hydration. Lovi finds that The Ordinary has a Superior routine fit for dry, combination, sensitive, mature, and dark spot skin types, whereas Avène has a Superior routine fit for oily acne-prone skin.

The Ordinary or Avène for dry skin?

For dry skin, The Ordinary has a Superior routine fit, while Avène has a High routine fit. The products on this page for The Ordinary offer great value and hydration support, helping to improve skin quality.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Avène: which cleanser is better?

The Ordinary Glycolipid Cream Cleanser has a Superior fit for dry skin and High fit for sensitive skin, while Avène Milk Cleanser has a High fit for both. Avène cleansers are generally praised for offering a gentle deep clean.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Avène?

The Ordinary is more affordable than Avène, as its products on this page are often mentioned for their great value and budget-friendly pricing.

How do the founding years and countries of origin compare between The Ordinary and Avène?

The Ordinary was founded in Canada in 2016, whereas Avène was established in France in 1990.

Which brand performs better for hydration and plumping according to review themes?

Avène performs better for hydration and plumping according to review themes. Hyaluronic acid helps provide deep hydration.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

How does the fragrance profile differ across the products offered by The Ordinary and Avène?

The products on this page from The Ordinary list no fragrance in their ingredients, whereas 7 of the 15 Avène products contain fragrance.

The Ordinary or Avène for sensitive skin?

The Ordinary fits sensitive skin with a Superior routine level, whereas Avène reaches a High routine level. Every product on The Ordinary page lists no fragrance, while several Avène products on this page include fragrance.

The Ordinary or Avène: which moisturizer is better?

Both The Ordinary and Avène offer moisturizers, with The Ordinary achieving a Superior routine fit for dry skin and Avène achieving a High fit. Hyaluronic acid helps provide hydration benefits, and topical use helps improve overall skin quality.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Avène for acne-prone skin?

Both brands achieve a High routine fit for acne-prone skin on Lovi. The Ordinary features affordable acne-clearing serums, whereas Avène helps soothe irritation and cleanses deeply.

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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