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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 support various complexions through targeted formulations. The Canadian brand centers its offerings on serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and toners featuring hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, whereas the French brand is universally loved for versatile moisturizers, reliable sunscreens, targeted serums, and gentle cleansers formulated with nourishing glycerin. The former brand suits sensitive and dry sensitive skin best, while the latter brand suits acne-prone and oily acne-prone skin best by offering profound relief without heaviness. Ultimately, both differ in their regional origins, founding years, ownership, and specific ingredient combinations designed to address concerns like acne, dark spots, and mature skin.

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

Buy The Ordinary routine · SAR 814.57 · 90% fitBuy Avène routine · SAR 1,135.93 · 77% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

The Ordinary vs Avène routines for oily skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · SAR 867.55 · 92% fitBuy Avène routine · SAR 1,148.69 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

The Ordinary vs Avène routines for combination skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · SAR 981.41 · 92% fitBuy Avène routine · SAR 1,208.83 · 85% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or Avène: which is better?

The Ordinary offers superior routine fit and better value across the products on this page, while Avène may be preferred for targeted soothing and lightweight hydration. Lovi rates The Ordinary as having a Superior routine fit for almost all skin types.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Avène?

The Ordinary provides great value and targets acne clearing and texture smoothing, whereas Avène focuses on gentle deep cleaning and soothing irritation. Lovi routine fit is Superior for The Ordinary across all skin types, while Avène reaches High or Average levels. Niacinamide helps reduce pigmentation and suppress melanosome transfer.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

The Ordinary or Avène for dry skin?

The Ordinary is a Superior fit for dry skin, while Avène has a High fit. The products on this page for The Ordinary offer great value and target texture smoothing, whereas Avène focuses on gentle hydration and soothing irritation.

The Ordinary or Avène: which cleanser is better?

The Ordinary offers a better cleanser range because the products on this page achieve superior or high fit levels across nearly all skin types, whereas Avène cleansers show varying limitations such as caution or warning levels for dry and sensitive skin.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Avène?

The Ordinary is more affordable, as the products on this page are frequently mentioned by reviewers for their great value and price.

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

The Ordinary has more fragrance-free products, because every product on its page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, while Avène has fragrance in nearly half of its products on this page.

Which brand is better for smoothing skin texture, The Ordinary or Avène?

The Ordinary does better for smoothing skin texture, as texture-smoothing serums are often mentioned by reviewers for the products on this page.

When was Avène founded and who owns it?

Avène was founded in 1990 in France and is owned by Fondation Pierre Fabre.

The Ordinary or Avène for sensitive skin?

The Ordinary is a Superior fit for sensitive skin, whereas Avène is a High fit. Every product on The Ordinary page lists no fragrance, while several Avène products contain fragrance.

The Ordinary or Avène: which moisturizer is better?

The Ordinary offers moisturizers with a Superior fit for dry skin, while Avène moisturizers provide a High fit for dry skin. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Avène for acne-prone skin?

The Ordinary is a better choice for acne-prone skin, as the products on this page achieve a Superior routine fit compared to Avène's High fit level. The Ordinary offers highly rated acne-clearing and texture-smoothing serums, while every product on its page lists no fragrance.

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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