Avène vs The INKEY List
Avène and The INKEY List are distinct skincare brands founded in France and Britain, respectively. Avène is known for versatile moisturizers, reliable sunscreens, targeted serums, and gentle cleansers, while the brand also offers moisturizers, serums, toners, and eye products. The first brand suits acne-prone and oily acne-prone skin best, whereas the second brand fits dry and sensitive skin. Both formulate products around glycerin to improve hydration and restore barrier function, but they differ in their heritage and specific target audiences.
Avène is a French skincare brand founded in 1990 and owned by Fondation Pierre Fabre.
pierre-fabre.comavene.co.ukaveneusa.com
The INKEY List is a British skincare brand founded in 2018 and owned by Brand Evangelists for Beauty Limited.
cosmeticsbusiness.comprnewswire.comtheinkeylist.comtracxn.com
This page compares some of the most popular Avène and The INKEY List products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Avène vs The INKEY List products
People Say
Gentleness and Soothing Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “Calmed my angry red skin overnight — Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream”
- “leaves face clean but not dry — Avène Cleanance”
- “Nothing has ever worked to soothe or heal my skin like these before. — Avène Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm”
- “Safe and gentle especially for my dry, sensitive skin — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
Texture and Absorption Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “Saves my skin in winter — Avène Cold Cream”
- “Thick but absorbs well eventually — Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream”
- “Gel consistency — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
- “Great for sensitive skin — The INKEY List PHA Toner”
Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “Restores moisture barrier — Avène Cold Cream”
- “Leaves my skin feeling soft and hydrated. — Avène Milk Cleanser”
- “Super hydrating — The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum”
- “intense nourishment — The INKEY List Collagen Peptide Serum”
Value and Affordability Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
- “Good for the price — The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser”
- “One of the best balms for quality and also price — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
- “unbeatable value — The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
- “Bottle lasts for months — Avène Cleanance Cleansing Gel”
Anti-Aging and Skin Repair Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “skin instantly felt firmer — Avène Hyaluron Activ B3 Concentrated Plumping Serum”
- “Healed my over-exfoliated skin in days — Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream”
- “skin looks fresh and plump — The INKEY List Collagen Peptide Serum”
- “bags are gone — The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream”
Acne and Oil Control Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “Free of active acne — The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser”
- “Skin instantly looks less oily — The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser”
- “My T-zone was excessively oily... observed a subtle reduction in sebum. — The INKEY List Niacinamide Serum”
- “Keeps me matte for hours — Avène Cleanance Cleansing Gel”
Residue, Finish, and Texture Complaints Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “leaves a white layer — Avène Hydrance+”
- “Leaves a greasy film — Avène Cold Cream”
- “very runny serum — The INKEY List Collagen Peptide Serum”
- “Feels tacky on skin — The INKEY List PHA Toner”
Packaging and Quality Control 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 leaks liquified oil when opened — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
Strong Fragrance or Unpleasant Scent Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “The fragrance is very present. — Avène Milk Cleanser”
- “smell is too strong — Avène Cleanance”
- “Smells like BBQ/meat — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
- “Smells like chemicals — The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum”
Avène vs The INKEY List routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€9.19
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Hydrating Toner
Pyunkang Yul Calming Deep Moisture Toner
Morning
€15.16
- Moisturizer Collagen Peptide Serum Morning · Evening · Once a week
-
SPF
thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen SPF 50+
Morning
€37.19
-
Pre-Cleanser
Oat Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
€5.74
-
Serum or Treatment
10% Azelaic Acid Serum
Evening · Once a week
€13.99
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
€31.93
-
Cleanser
Cleanance Cleansing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€15.59
-
Hydrating Toner
Pyunkang Yul Calming Deep Moisture Toner
Morning
€15.16
-
Moisturizer
Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€23.40
-
SPF
Ultra Fluid
Morning
€15.59
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
€15.90
-
Serum or Treatment
Vitamin Activ Cg Radiance Concentrated Serum
Evening · Once a week
€27.51
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
€31.93
Avène vs The INKEY List routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€24.75
-
Hydrating Toner
La Mer The Tonic
Morning · Once a week
€103.91
-
Moisturizer
Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€11.04
-
SPF
make p:rem UV Defense Me Blue Ray Sun Cream
Morning
€40.49
-
Pre-Cleanser
Oat Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
€5.74
-
Cleansing Toner
PHA Toner
Evening
€13.99
-
Serum or Treatment
10% Azelaic Acid Serum
Evening · Once a week
€13.99
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€49.00
-
Cleansing Mask
VT Cosmetics Cica Purifying Mask
Once a week
€19.79
-
Cleanser
Cleanance Cleansing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€15.59
-
Hydrating Toner
La Mer The Tonic
Morning · Once a week
€103.91
-
Moisturizer
Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€18.85
-
SPF
Cleanance
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€15.59
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€40.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Pixi Glow Tonic
Evening
€19.50
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€49.00
-
Cleansing Mask
VT Cosmetics Cica Purifying Mask
Once a week
€19.79
Avène vs The INKEY List routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Dr. Althea Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€13.50
-
Hydrating Toner
La Mer The Tonic
Morning · Once a week
€103.91
-
Moisturizer
Polyglutamic Acid Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€12.94
-
SPF
make p:rem UV Defense Me Blue Ray Sun Cream
Morning
€40.49
-
Pre-Cleanser
Oat Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
€5.74
-
Cleansing Toner
Glycolic Acid Toner
Evening
€11.21
-
Serum or Treatment
10% Azelaic Acid Serum
Evening · Once a week
€13.99
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€49.00
-
Cleansing Mask
VT Cosmetics Cica Purifying Mask
Once a week
€19.79
-
Cleanser
Cleanance Cleansing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€15.59
-
Hydrating Toner
La Mer The Tonic
Morning · Once a week
€103.91
-
Moisturizer
Hyaluron Activ B3 Concentrated Plumping Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€37.00
-
SPF
Cleanance
Morning
€15.59
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€40.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
€17.15
-
Serum or Treatment
Vitamin Activ Cg Radiance Concentrated Serum
Evening · Once a week
€27.51
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€49.00
-
Cleansing Mask
VT Cosmetics Cica Purifying Mask
Once a week
€19.79
Questions and answers
Avène or The INKEY List: which is better?
For shoppers seeking value and affordability, The INKEY List does better, while Avène excels in gentleness and soothing. Lovi gives The INKEY List a superior routine fit for dry skin, dry sensitive skin, combination skin, and sensitive skin.
What is the difference between Avène and The INKEY List?
When comparing Avène and The INKEY List, Avène does better for gentleness and soothing, while The INKEY List does better for value and affordability and for acne and oil control. For routine fit, Lovi rates The INKEY List as Superior for dry skin, dry sensitive skin, combination skin, and sensitive skin, whereas Avène has High routine fit for those skin types.
Avène or The INKEY List for dry skin?
For dry skin, The INKEY List is a superior fit while Avène is a high fit. Reviewers mention that The INKEY List offers hydrating moisturizers that are lightweight and fast-absorbing.
Avène or The INKEY List: which cleanser is better?
Avène does better for gentleness and soothing, while The INKEY List does better for acne and oil control among the cleanser products on this page. Reviewers mostly mention that Avène offers gentle deep clean cleansers, and the products on this page for The INKEY List include options like the Salicylic Acid Cleanser.
Which is more affordable, Avène or The INKEY List?
The INKEY List is more affordable than Avène, as its products on this page are known for providing good value and affordability. Reviewers note that The INKEY List offers budget-friendly moisturizers and serums.
Between Avène and The INKEY List, which brand is better for addressing skin with dark spots?
For skin with dark spots, Avène is a great option as the products on this page achieve a High Lovi fit level, while The INKEY List also offers strong choices.
How do the fragrance options compare between Avène and The INKEY List products?
Avène includes fragrance in 7 of the 15 products on this page, while every product from The INKEY List on this page lists no fragrance.
Which brand performs better for anti-aging and skin repair according to reviews?
Reviews show that both brands are equal when it comes to anti-aging and skin repair. Both brands offer targeted products like retinoids and peptides that help support aging skin.
Avène or The INKEY List for sensitive skin?
For sensitive skin, Lovi finds that Avène has a High routine fit and The INKEY List has a Superior routine fit. Reviewers mention that Avène is great for gentleness and soothing, while every product on The INKEY List page lists no fragrance in its ingredients.
Avène or The INKEY List: which moisturizer is better?
The INKEY List is a better choice for moisturizers on this page, as the products on this page offer great affordability and target dry and sensitive skin types with a Superior routine fit. Avène also provides good options with a High routine fit for dry skin, though some formulas on this page may include added fragrance.
Avène or The INKEY List for acne-prone skin?
Both brands offer products that fit acne-prone skin well, with Lovi giving Avène a High routine fit and The INKEY List a High routine fit. Reviewers note that Avène excels in gentleness and soothing, while The INKEY List performs better for acne and oil control.
Research behind their key ingredients
The Effect of Aloe Vera Clinical Trials on Prevention and Healing of Skin Wound: A Systematic Review
Molecular basis of retinol anti-ageing properties in naturally aged human skin in vivo
Effects of ascorbic acid on gingival melanin pigmentation in vitro and in vivo
The moisturizing effects of glycolipid biosurfactants, mannosylerythritol lipids, on human skin
A comparative study of gluconolactone versus benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of acne
An oil-soluble extract of Rubus idaeus cells enhances hydration and water homeostasis in skin cells
Chemical peels for acne vulgaris: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials
Comparative benefit of two thermal spring waters after photodynamic therapy procedure
Comparison of methods for assessing photoprotection against ultraviolet A in vivo
Topical Almond Oil for Prevention of Pressure Injuries: A Single-Blinded Comparison Study
The anti wrinkle efficacy of synthetic hexapeptide (Argireline) in Chinese Subjects
Treatment with Ascorbyl Glucoside-Arginine Complex Ameliorates Solar Lentigos
Darutoside promotes skin wound healing via regulating macrophage polarization
Retrospective Review of Dermal Safety Studies of Organic Sunscreens
Targeting Circadian Rhythm for the Regulation of Skin Collagen Metabolism
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.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-

Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-

Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-

Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-

Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
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