🇺🇸United States

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 accessible skincare brands tailored for gentle daily care. The French brand offers rich moisturizers, reliable sunscreens, targeted serums, gentle cleansers, and hydrating glycerin that suit oily acne-prone skin and acne-prone skin best, featuring science-backed formulations like the Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm, Cleanance, and Hyaluron Activ B3 Concentrated Plumping Serum. Meanwhile, the British brand features gentle moisturizers, makeup removers, cleansers, and toners enriched with niacinamide and glycerin that suit acne-prone skin and oily skin best, highlighting staples such as the Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner, Micellar Cleansing Water, and standard Micellar Water. While both brands nourish delicate complexions, they differ in their origin and specific ingredient concentrations, as the former emphasizes specialized thermal care and the latter focuses on straightforward vitamin-infused 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 · $128.28 · 83% fitBuy Avène routine · $207.69 · 76% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Avène vs Simple routines for oily skin

Buy Simple routine · $280.29 · 88% fitBuy Avène routine · $377.02 · 85% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Avène vs Simple routines for combination skin

Buy Avène routine · $358.50 · 88% fitBuy Simple routine · $259.77 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

Avène or Simple: which is better?

Both Avène and Simple are great choices, as they offer equal routine fit levels across most skin types on this page. Simple does better for soothing sensitive skin and value, while Avène is known for repairing the skin barrier.

What is the difference between Avène and Simple?

Simple tends to do better at soothing and calming sensitive skin, providing a rich texture with deep hydration, improving overall skin texture and radiance, offering gentle and non-stripping cleansers, and at a better price point and value, whereas Avène does better at repairing and protecting the skin barrier. For dry sensitive skin, Lovi rates Simple as High and Avène as Average.

Avène or Simple for dry skin?

Both Avène and Simple are a High fit for dry skin on this page. Avène features products like Cold Cream, which helps soothe dry sensitive skin, while Simple offers hydrating options formulated with glycerin to maintain moisture.

Avène or Simple: which cleanser is better?

Simple does better for gentle and non-stripping cleansers than Avène. Avène cleansers on this page feature thermal water and glycerin, while Simple features glycerin and niacinamide.

Which is more affordable, Avène or Simple?

Simple is more affordable, as reviewers on this page frequently note its price point and value. Avène, by contrast, is sometimes noted by reviewers for its higher price point.

How do the founding years and corporate ownership of Avène and Simple compare?

Avène was founded in France in 1990 and is owned by Fondation Pierre Fabre, whereas Simple was founded in the United Kingdom in 1960 and has been owned by Unilever PLC since 2011.

Which brand has more products listed without fragrance, Avène or Simple?

Simple has more products listed without fragrance, as every product on its page lists no fragrance compared to only 7 of 15 products for Avène.

How do the key ingredients across the product lines differ between Avène and Simple?

The key ingredients across the products on this page differ, with Avène featuring thermal water and glycerin, while Simple features niacinamide and glycerin. Niacinamide may help in reducing cutaneous pigmentation and suppressing melanosome transfer.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Avène or Simple for oily skin?

Both Avène and Simple are well-suited for oily skin, with Lovi rating their routines as High for this skin type. Avène stands out for its sunscreens and cleansers, while Simple is noted for its lightweight moisturizers and makeup removers.

Avène or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

Both Avène and Simple offer effective moisturizers, with Avène featuring key ingredients like thermal water and glycerin, while Simple relies on niacinamide and glycerin. Reviewers note that Simple provides lightweight, value-friendly moisturizers, whereas Avène helps repair and protect the skin barrier.

Antioxidants, 2021

Avène or Simple for sensitive skin?

Both Avène and Simple have a High fit on Lovi for sensitive skin. Simple does better at soothing and calming sensitive skin.

Avène or Simple for acne-prone skin?

Both Avène and Simple are a great choice, as Lovi rates both brands at an equal fit level for acne-prone skin.

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