🇺🇸United States

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 · $109.78 · 97% fitBuy Avène routine · $207.69 · 76% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

The Ordinary vs Avène routines for oily skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · $207.87 · 93% fitBuy Avène routine · $377.02 · 85% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit

The Ordinary vs Avène routines for combination skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · $219.97 · 93% fitBuy Avène routine · $358.50 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or Avène: which is better?

The Ordinary is a Superior fit for dry skin, dry sensitive skin, and oily skin, while Avène is a Superior fit for oily acne-prone skin. The products on this page help with gentle deep cleansing and texture-smoothing serums. Avène is unlikely to cause a sticky finish.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Avène?

The Ordinary offers exceptional value and acne-clearing serums, while Avène excels in soothing irritation and providing deep hydration. The Ordinary products on this page list no fragrance, whereas nearly half of Avène's options include added scent. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Avène for dry skin?

The Ordinary is a better fit for dry skin, where Lovi rates its routine as Superior compared to Avène's High. The products on this page for The Ordinary offer deep hydration through ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Avène: which cleanser is better?

The Ordinary offers a better cleanser range on this page, fitting dry and sensitive skin with High to Superior levels while avoiding fragrance entirely. Avène also provides gentle cleansers, but several products on its page may contain fragrance and some fit levels drop to warnings for dry or sensitive skin.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Avène?

The Ordinary offers more affordable products on this page, as it is widely noted by reviewers for its great value and price.

Which brand has more products containing fragrance?

Avene has more fragranced products, as 7 of 15 products on its page list fragrance, whereas every product on The Ordinary page lists no fragrance.

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

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

Which brand performs better for texture smoothing and acne clearing according to reviewers?

The Ordinary performs better for both texture smoothing and acne clearing according to reviewers. The products on this page help provide gentle and effective options for these concerns.

The Ordinary or Avène for oily skin?

For oily skin, The Ordinary provides a Superior routine fit compared to Avène, which has a High fit. The products on this page help control oil and smooth texture affordably.

The Ordinary or Avène: which moisturizer is better?

The products on this page show that both brands offer high-performing moisturizers, with The Ordinary achieving a Superior fit level for dry skin while Avène achieves a High fit level. The Ordinary features fragrance-free formulas with key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and squalane, whereas several Avène moisturizers contain added fragrance.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Avène for sensitive skin?

The Ordinary offers a Superior routine fit for sensitive skin, whereas Avène provides a High fit on the products on this page. Every product listed for The Ordinary contains no fragrance, helping minimize potential irritation.

The Ordinary or Avène for acne-prone skin?

The Ordinary fits acne-prone skin at a Superior level, while Avène fits at a High level. Reviewers on the products on this page often note that The Ordinary offers acne-clearing serums, and every product on this page for The Ordinary lists no fragrance.

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