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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 two accessible skincare brands designed to nurture delicate complexions. The French brand offers versatile moisturizers, reliable sunscreens, targeted serums, and gentle cleansers formulated with glycerin, suiting acne-prone and oily acne-prone skin best through profound relief without heaviness. Meanwhile, the British brand is beloved for gentle moisturizers, makeup removers, cleansers, and toners thoughtfully crafted with niacinamide and glycerin, which suit acne-prone skin and skin with dark spots best. While both brands support hydration with glycerin, they differ in their specialized ingredients, origins, and specific formulations for concerns like aging and dark spots.

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 · 98% 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 · 94% fit

Questions and answers

Avène or Simple: which is better?

Both Avène and Simple are great choices, as the products on this page offer equal fit levels for most skin types. Simple excels in providing fragrance-free options and value-friendly moisturizers, whereas Avène stands out for repairing and protecting the skin barrier.

What is the difference between Avène and Simple?

Avène and Simple both offer products on this page that fit most skin types equally well, but they differ in formulation and origin. Avène was founded in France in 1990 and relies heavily on thermal water and glycerin, with select products containing fragrance. Simple, founded in the UK in 1960 and owned by Unilever, features niacinamide and glycerin across its fragrance-free products on this page.

Avène or Simple for dry skin?

Both Avène and Simple achieve a High routine fit for dry skin on the products on this page. Avène features key ingredients such as glycerin and thermal water across its formulations.

Avène or Simple: which cleanser is better?

Simple does better for gentle and non-stripping cleansers on the products on this page. The products on this page for Simple include options like the Refreshing Facial Wash, while Avène offers cleansers such as the Cleanance Cleansing Gel.

Which is more affordable, Avène or Simple?

Simple tends to be more affordable, as reviewers often note its price point and value. Avène is also occasionally mentioned for its price point.

Which brand has more fragrance-free products, Avène or Simple?

Simple has more fragrance-free products on this page, as every product from Simple lists no fragrance in its ingredients compared to only 7 of the 15 products from Avène.

Avène or Simple: which brand repairs and protects the skin barrier better?

Avène does better at repairing and protecting the skin barrier than Simple according to reviewer feedback on the page.

Avène or Simple for oily skin?

Both Avène and Simple have a High routine fit for oily skin on this page. Avène offers effective oil control and lightweight sunscreens, while Simple provides lightweight, value-friendly moisturizers and a fragrance-free formula across the products on this page.

Avène or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

Both Avène and Simple offer great moisturizers, with Avène featuring options like the Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm that receives a High fit for dry and sensitive skin, while Simple provides budget-friendly alternatives like the Replenishing Rich Moisturiser. Simple formulations on this page list no fragrance, whereas certain Avène moisturizers include fragrance.

Avène or Simple for sensitive skin?

Both Avène and Simple are a High fit for sensitive skin on the products on this page. Simple does better at soothing and calming sensitive skin, while Avène is known for helping repair and protect the skin barrier.

Avène or Simple for acne-prone skin?

Both Avène and Simple offer products on this page that fit acne-prone skin well, with equal routine fit levels. Reviewers note that Avène provides gentle deep cleansers, while Simple features fragrance-free formulas across its page.

Avène or Simple for dry sensitive skin?

Simple has a High routine fit for dry sensitive skin on this page, while Avène has an Average fit. Simple features key ingredients like niacinamide and glycerin across its fragrance-free products.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

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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