🇨🇦Canada

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 renowned skincare labels offering gentle moisturizers, soothing cleansers, and reliable formulations designed to support healthy complexions. The French brand relies on glycerin to nurture oily, acne-prone, and combination skin through targeted serums, protective sunscreens, and rich recovery balms. Meanwhile, the British counterpart utilizes niacinamide and glycerin in refreshing toners and dependable makeup removers to address oily and mature skin concerns. While both options strengthen the skin barrier and boost hydration, they differ in their specific ingredient profiles, regional heritage, and specialized product offerings.

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 · CA$156.25 · 83% fitBuy Avène routine · CA$265.85 · 76% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Avène vs Simple routines for oily skin

Buy Simple routine · CA$271.73 · 87% fitBuy Avène routine · CA$307.37 · 86% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Avène vs Simple routines for combination skin

Buy Avène routine · CA$393.55 · 88% fitBuy Simple routine · CA$214.83 · 86% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Avène or Simple: which is better?

Both Avène and Simple are great choices, as they offer equal fit levels across almost all skin types. Simple tends to do better with soothing sensitive skin, providing deep hydration, and value, while Avène is known for repairing and protecting the skin barrier.

What is the difference between Avène and Simple?

Simple stands out for being fragrance-free across the products on this page and better at soothing sensitive skin, while Avène is recognized for repairing and protecting the skin barrier. Lovi rates both brands with equal high routines for dry skin, oily skin, combination skin, sensitive skin, acne-prone skin, mature skin, skin with dark spots, and oily acne-prone skin, but Simple holds a high fit for dry sensitive skin compared to Avène's average.

Avène or Simple for dry skin?

Both Avène and Simple are a great match for dry skin, with Lovi giving them an equal fit level. Avène uses thermal water and glycerin to help soothe irritation, while Simple relies on niacinamide and glycerin to deliver lightweight hydration.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Avène or Simple: which cleanser is better?

Simple offers better cleansers on this page for sensitive skin types, while Avène is a better fit for oily and acne-prone skin. Simple provides gentle, sensitive-skin-friendly makeup removers, and Avène helps deliver a gentle deep clean.

Which is more affordable, Avène or Simple?

Simple stands out for its price point and value, while Avène is sometimes noted in reviews for its price point. Review themes on the page also note that Simple offers better value.

Which brand has more fragrance-free products, Avène or Simple?

Simple has more fragrance-free products than Avène, as every product on the Simple page lists no fragrance in its ingredients compared to only 7 of 15 products on the Avène page.

Avène or Simple: which brand repairs and protects the skin barrier better?

Avène does better at repairing and protecting the skin barrier. Review themes show that Avène excels in this area compared to Simple.

Avène or Simple for oily skin?

Both Avène and Simple fit oily skin at a High routine level. Avène features thermal water and glycerin, while Simple includes niacinamide and glycerin.

Avène or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

Simple offers more value-friendly and lightweight moisturizers, whereas Avène helps soothe irritation and features options with a rich texture. Both brands provide moisturizers that are a High fit for dry skin on this page.

Avène or Simple for sensitive skin?

Both Avène and Simple reach a High Lovi fit level for sensitive skin. Reviewers note that Simple does better at soothing and calming sensitive skin, while Avène also offers thermal water and glycerin across the products on this page.

Avène or Simple for acne-prone skin?

Both Avène and Simple are a High fit for acne-prone skin on this page, and reviewers note that Avène helps soothe irritation while Simple is a value-friendly choice. Simple relies on ingredients like niacinamide and glycerin, and studies show niacinamide may help control skin aging and pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Avène or Simple for dry sensitive skin?

Simple is a better choice for dry sensitive skin because Lovi rates its routine fit as High, whereas Avène is rated Average. Simple relies on key ingredients like niacinamide and glycerin to hydrate, and niacinamide may help improve overall skin texture.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

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