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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 offerings around hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, suiting dry and dry sensitive skin best with specialized serums and moisturizers. Conversely, the French brand is universally loved for versatile moisturizers, reliable sunscreens, and gentle cleansers formulated with nourishing glycerin to provide profound relief for acne-prone and oily acne-prone skin without heaviness. Ultimately, both differ primarily in their founding heritage and specific active ingredients, offering tailored solutions for aging, blemishes, and hydration.

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

See multi-brand routine · 98% 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 · 94% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or Avène: which is better?

The Ordinary is a better fit for shoppers seeking great value, texture smoothing, and acne-clearing serums, offering superior routine fits for dry, oily, combination, and sensitive skin. Avène may be preferred for targeted hydration and soothing care, though it has some products with a strong fragrance. Both brands achieve equal high routine fit levels for acne-prone, mature, and oily acne-prone skin.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Avène?

The Ordinary offers budget-friendly products on this page that focus on targeting specific concerns like acne and texture, while Avène is known for gentle formulations that help soothe sensitive skin. Hyaluronic acid helps maintain skin hydration across both brands.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Avène for dry skin?

For dry skin, The Ordinary offers a superior routine fit compared to Avene which has a high fit. The Ordinary products on this page help deliver deep hydration with key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of skin aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Avène: which cleanser is better?

The products on this page show that The Ordinary offers cleansers with a High fit level for dry skin, whereas Avène includes cleansers with a Warning or Caution for dry skin. Niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and melanosome transfer.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Avène?

The Ordinary offers better value, as reviewers on the page frequently praise its affordable and budget-friendly serums. Avène, by contrast, is more often noted for having a higher price point across its products.

Which brand has more products containing fragrance?

Avène has more products containing fragrance on its page, with 7 out of 15 products listing fragrance, whereas every product on The Ordinary page lists no fragrance.

How do the founding years and countries of origin compare between The Ordinary and Avène?

The Ordinary was founded in Canada in 2016, whereas Avène was established in France in 1990.

Which brand performs better for smoothing skin texture according to reviewers?

The Ordinary performs better for smoothing skin texture according to reviewers, while Avène is noted for hydration and plumping.

The Ordinary or Avène for oily skin?

For oily skin, The Ordinary has a Superior routine fit while Avène has a High routine fit, making The Ordinary the better match on this page. Niacinamide helps reduce skin pigmentation, and the products on this page are fragrance-free.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

The Ordinary or Avène: which moisturizer is better?

Both The Ordinary and Avène offer moisturizers with great fit levels for different skin types, though The Ordinary is often noted for its affordable value and fragrance-free formulas. Ingredients like hyaluronic acid in their products help provide deep hydration and improve skin quality.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Avène for sensitive skin?

The Ordinary is a better fit for sensitive skin, offering a Superior routine level compared to Avène's High level. The products on this page are fragrance-free, which helps minimize irritation for reactive skin types.

The Ordinary or Avène for acne-prone skin?

Both The Ordinary and Avène fit acne-prone skin at a High routine fit level. The products on this page help manage breakouts effectively, while niacinamide may help control oil and pigmentation.

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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