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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 established skincare brands offering gentle cleansers, nourishing moisturizers, and targeted solutions for daily care. The French brand, founded in 1990, relies on glycerin to soothe acne-prone and oily skin, while the British brand, founded in 1960, incorporates niacinamide and glycerin to support acne-prone and mature skin. Both brands provide reliable formulations that address specific concerns like dark spots and barrier recovery. Ultimately, they differ in their heritage and precise ingredient profiles, with the former emphasizing thermal-spring science and the latter focusing on minimalist, vitamin-enriched care.

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

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Avène vs Simple routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Avène vs Simple routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

Avène or Simple: which is better?

Both brands offer equal routines for dry skin, oily skin, combination skin, sensitive skin, acne-prone skin, mature skin, and skin with dark spots. For dry sensitive skin, Simple provides a High fit level while Avène reaches an Average fit level.

What is the difference between Avène and Simple?

Simple offers fragrance-free products on this page and does better at soothing sensitive skin and providing value, while Avène is owned by Fondation Pierre Fabre and focuses more on repairing the skin barrier. Reviewers often mention Simple for its gentle makeup removers, whereas Avène is noted for its thermal spring water and non-stripping sunscreens.

Avène or Simple for dry skin?

Both Avène and Simple fit dry skin well, with Avène reaching a High routine fit and Simple also achieving a High routine fit.

Avène or Simple: which cleanser is better?

Simple does better for gentle and non-stripping cleansers on this page. Reviewers report that Simple cleansers offer a gentle, sensitive-skin-friendly experience.

Which is more affordable, Avène or Simple?

Simple is more affordable, as reviewers often mention its value-friendly moisturizers. Avène, on the other hand, has its price point noted as a drawback.

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, whereas 7 of the 15 Avène products on this page list no fragrance.

What are the parent companies of Avène and Simple?

Avène is owned by Fondation Pierre Fabre, while Simple is owned by Unilever PLC.

Avène or Simple for oily skin?

Both Avène and Simple fit oily skin at a High routine level. Reviewers note that Avène provides effective oil control, while the products on this page for Simple are all fragrance-free.

Avène or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

Simple offers lightweight and value-friendly moisturizers, while Avène provides specialized options like the Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm, which has a High fit for dry and sensitive skin. Reviewers note that Simple moisturizers are budget-friendly, whereas Avène focuses on repairing and protecting the skin barrier.

Avène or Simple for sensitive skin?

Both Avène and Simple have a High routine fit for sensitive skin. Review themes show that Simple does better at soothing and calming sensitive skin, while Avène is noted for its gentle and non-stripping sunscreens.

Avène or Simple for acne-prone skin?

Both Avène and Simple are a High fit for acne-prone skin. Reviewers note that the products on this page for Avène include gentle deep clean cleansers and effective oil control, while Simple features gentle, sensitive-skin-friendly makeup removers.

Avène or Simple for dry sensitive skin?

Simple offers a higher Lovi fit for dry sensitive skin compared to Avene. Simple features a fragrance-free lineup on this page, whereas seven of Avene's fifteen products list fragrance, which may sometimes irritate sensitive 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?

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