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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 dermatological needs. The Ordinary offers targeted serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and toners built around hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, while the brand is universally loved for its versatile moisturizers, reliable sunscreens, targeted serums, and gentle cleansers all formulated with nourishing glycerin. The Canadian brand's offerings suit dry and sensitive skin best, whereas the French brand suits acne-prone and oily acne-prone skin best. Ultimately, they differ in their foundational formulations and specific ingredient profiles to support varying skin goals.

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

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The Ordinary vs Avène routines for oily skin

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The Ordinary vs Avène routines for combination skin

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Questions and answers

The Ordinary or Avène: which is better?

The Ordinary is often a better choice for shoppers seeking affordable value, effective acne-clearing serums, and texture-smoothing products, while Avène is frequently preferred for deep hydration, lightweight absorption, and gentle, non-stripping sunscreens and cleansers.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Avène?

The Ordinary offers great value and effective serums that help smooth texture and clear acne, while Avène focuses on gentle sunscreens, deep cleansers, and soothing hydration. Every product on The Ordinary page lists no fragrance, whereas nearly half of Avène's products on this page list fragrance.

The Ordinary or Avène for dry skin?

For dry skin, The Ordinary has a Superior routine fit while Avène has a High fit. The products on this page from The Ordinary help provide great value and hydration with key ingredients like hyaluronic acid.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Avène: which cleanser is better?

Both The Ordinary and Avène offer cleansers, but Avène features cleansers with a strong focus on gentle deep cleaning for oily and acne-prone skin, while The Ordinary provides highly rated options for dry and sensitive skin like the Glycolipid Cream Cleanser.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Avène?

The Ordinary is more affordable, offering budget-friendly and great value serums among the products on this page.

The Ordinary or Avène: which brand has fragrance-free products?

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

Which brand is better for reducing dark spots, The Ordinary or Avène?

The Ordinary is generally better for reducing dark spots, as the products on this page feature targeted brightening ingredients like niacinamide and alpha arbutin that help fade pigmentation. Avène also offers effective options like its Vitamin Activ Cg serum, but reviewers often favor The Ordinary for its dedicated dark spot fading serums.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

The Ordinary or Avène: which brand is better for mature skin?

The Ordinary is a better fit for mature skin, achieving a Superior routine fit compared to Avène's High fit level. The products on this page help improve skin texture and offer great value for anti-aging care.

The Ordinary or Avène for oily skin?

For oily skin, The Ordinary has a Superior routine fit while Avène has a High fit level. The Ordinary offers fragrance-free products on this page, whereas Avène includes fragrance in several of its formulas.

The Ordinary or Avène: which moisturizer is better?

Both The Ordinary and Avène offer moisturizers with great benefits, but The Ordinary fits dry skin at a Superior level compared to Avène's High level. Avène products on this page sometimes have a strong fragrance, while every product on The Ordinary page lists no fragrance.

The Ordinary or Avène for sensitive skin?

The Ordinary is a better fit for sensitive skin, offering Superior routine fit compared to Avène's High fit. The products on this page list no fragrance, which helps minimize irritation for sensitive users.

The Ordinary or Avène for acne-prone skin?

The Ordinary is a better fit for acne-prone skin, achieving a Superior routine fit compared to Avène's High level. The products on this page for The Ordinary offer specialized acne-clearing serums and a fragrance-free formulation that helps target breakouts without added scent.

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

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