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Avène vs Grown Alchemist

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

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

AvèneGrown Alchemist
  • 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?

Avène and Grown Alchemist are both good options, with Avène featuring a much larger selection of products on this page that achieve High or Superior Lovi fit levels for dry, sensitive, and oily acne-prone skin. Grown Alchemist also offers gentle hydration, but Avène provides targeted options like moisturizers and sunscreens with key ingredients such as glycerin for deep skin hydration.

What is the difference between Avène and Grown Alchemist?

Avène and Grown Alchemist differ mainly in product variety and fragrance options, as Avène offers a larger range with some scented formulas, while Grown Alchemist features entirely fragrance-free products on this page.

Avène or Grown Alchemist: which cleanser is better?

When comparing cleansers, Avène is a better fit for oily and acne-prone skin on this page, with Lovi fit levels reaching High. Grown Alchemist also offers gentle options, but reviewers note fewer performance issues with Avène cleansers.

Which is more affordable, Avène or Grown Alchemist?

Grown Alchemist does better on price because high price is noted as a negative review theme for Avène.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Avène or Grown Alchemist?

For acne-prone skin, Avène fits the products on this page at an Average to High level, whereas Grown Alchemist fits them at an Average level.

How do the founding years and corporate ownerships of Avène and Grown Alchemist compare?

Avène was founded in 1990 in France 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 products between Avène and Grown Alchemist?

Grown Alchemist offers more fragrance-free products on this page, as every one of its items lists no fragrance, whereas 7 of 15 Avène products list no fragrance.

What are the main reviewer complaints associated with Grown Alchemist cleansers compared to Avène?

Reviewers frequently note cleanser performance and packaging issues for Grown Alchemist, whereas Avène reviewers sometimes mention high price and product separation or packaging problems.

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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