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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 address diverse dermal needs through targeted formulations. The Canadian brand centers its serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and toners on hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, suiting dry and dry sensitive skin best, while the French brand is loved for its gentle moisturizers, protective sunscreens, targeted serums, and soothing cleansers formulated with glycerin, suiting oily acne-prone and combination skin best. Both utilize glycerin to enhance hydration and barrier function, yet they differ in their foundational origins, specific ingredient combinations, and ideal skin types.

The Ordinary is a Canadian skincare brand founded in 2016 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 2021.

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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

See multi-brand routine · 97% fit

The Ordinary vs Avène routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

The Ordinary vs Avène routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or Avène: which is better?

The Ordinary is a better fit for dry skin and dry sensitive skin, offering a Superior routine compared to Avène's Average fit. The Ordinary is also fragrance-free across all products on this page, whereas Avène includes fragrance in several of its formulas.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Avène?

The Ordinary fits dry skin and dry sensitive skin best, whereas Avène fits oily acne-prone skin and combination skin best. The Ordinary offers superior routine fit for dry, sensitive, mature, and dark-spot-prone skin, while every product on its page lists no fragrance. Avène products on this page frequently feature thermal water and may include added fragrance in some formulas.

The Ordinary or Avène for dry skin?

For dry skin, The Ordinary has a superior routine fit compared to Avène, which has an average fit on the products on this page. The Ordinary features a high concentration of hydrating key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Avène: which cleanser is better?

The Ordinary offers better-suited cleansers for dry and dry sensitive skin, with Lovi fit levels reaching Superior compared to Avène's Average. Avène's cleansers provide a gentle deep clean for oily and acne-prone skin types.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Avène?

The Ordinary offers more affordable products on this page compared to Avène, as reviewers frequently mention its great value and pricing. Avène's price point is sometimes noted as a drawback by shoppers.

How do the founding years and parent companies of The Ordinary and Avène compare?

The Ordinary was founded in Canada in 2016 and is owned by The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. In comparison, Avene was founded in France in 1990 and is owned by Fondation Pierre Fabre.

Which brand has a better routine fit for mature skin and skin with dark spots?

The Ordinary has a better routine fit for mature skin and skin with dark spots, providing a Superior routine fit compared to Avène's High fit for both skin types. Niacinamide may help reduce cutaneous pigmentation and suppress melanosome transfer.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Do products from The Ordinary contain fragrance compared to Avène?

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

The Ordinary or Avène for oily skin?

For oily skin, Lovi rates The Ordinary as having a Superior routine fit compared to Avène's High fit level. Niacinamide helps reduce skin oiliness and regulates sebum production.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

The Ordinary or Avène: which moisturizer is better?

For moisturizers, The Ordinary is a better fit for dry skin, where Lovi rates its fit as Superior compared to Avène's Average. Hyaluronic acid helps improve skin hydration and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Avène for sensitive skin?

The Ordinary is a Superior fit for sensitive skin, whereas Avène is a High fit. The products on this page for The Ordinary list no fragrance.

The Ordinary or Avène for acne-prone skin?

Both The Ordinary and Avène have a High routine fit level for acne-prone skin. The Ordinary offers targeted acne-clearing and texture-smoothing serums, while Avène provides gentle deep-cleansing options.

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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