Avène vs Olay
Avène and Olay are two skincare lines renowned for gentle, thoughtfully formulated products that support barrier health. The French brand, founded in 1990 and owned by Fondation Pierre Fabre, is loved for its soothing cleansers, gentle moisturizers, protective sunscreens, and targeted serums featuring glycerin, suiting oily, acne-prone, and combination skin best. Conversely, the other brand is warmly loved for its cleansers, eye products, serums, and moisturizers enriched with nourishing niacinamide and glycerin, which suit sensitive and acne-prone skin best. While both brands improve hydration, they differ in their standout offerings and specific formulations, as niacinamide also addresses wrinkles and pigmentation, whereas Avène focuses on restorative mineral-rich care.
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 Avène and Olay products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Avène vs Olay products
People Say
Gentleness and Soothing Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
- “Calmed my angry red skin overnight — Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream”
- “Nothing has ever worked to soothe or heal my skin like these before. — Avène Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm”
- “Perfect cleanser for sensitive skin. — Avène Milk Cleanser”
- “doesn't strip my skin — Olay Regenerating Cream Cleanser”
Texture and Absorption Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “sinks in quickly — Olay Super Serum”
- “absorbs quickly — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
- “absorbs instantly — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
- “Thick but absorbs well eventually — Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream”
Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “Instantly smoother, softer, and more hydrated — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
- “light and smooth — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
- “hydrates the skin — Olay Advanced Eye Cream”
- “Saves my skin in winter — Avène Cold Cream”
Skin Smoothing and Anti-Aging Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
- “skin feels baby soft — Olay Retinol24”
- “Skin feels like silk — Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer”
- “hydrates the skin — Olay Advanced Eye Cream”
- “skin instantly felt firmer — Avène Hyaluron Activ B3 Concentrated Plumping Serum”
Brightening and Radiance Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
- “iridescent glow — Olay Super Serum”
- “hides dark shadows — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
- “skin looks brighter — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
- “immediate radiance boost — Avène Vitamin Activ Cg Radiance Concentrated Serum”
Makeup Compatibility and Removal Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
- “absorbs instantly — Olay Eye Lifting Serum”
- “acts as primer — Olay Super Serum”
- “concealer sits better — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
- “Remove a all of the makeup with ease. — Avène Milk Cleanser”
Strong Fragrance and Scents Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “The fragrance is very present. — Avène Milk Cleanser”
- “smell is too strong — Avène Cleanance”
- “Fragrance can be an irritant — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
- “floral scent — Olay Super Serum”
Packaging Issues Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
- “Tube cracked on the side — Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream”
- “Cap leaks in bag — Avène Cleanance Cleansing Gel”
- “Good product bad packaging. — Avène RetrinAL EYES”
- “hard to dispense — Olay Super Serum”
Product Ineffectiveness Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
- “no difference — Avène Antirougeurs Fort Relief Concentrate”
- “no difference after month — Avène Vitamin Activ Cg Radiance Concentrated Serum”
- “didn't work for me — Avène Hyaluron Activ B3 Concentrated Plumping Serum”
- “no difference — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
Avène vs Olay routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
Regenerating Cream Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$25.81
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Hydrating Toner
COSRX Propolis Synergy Toner
Morning
S$41.07
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Moisturizer
Regenerist Luminous Tone Perfecting Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$38.65
-
SPF
Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream
Morning
S$39.91
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Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
S$39.68
- Serum or Treatment Vitamin C Serum Evening · Once a week
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Collagen Essential Mask
Once a week
S$62.94
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Cleanser
Cleanance Cleansing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$27.51
-
Hydrating Toner
COSRX Propolis Synergy Toner
Morning
S$41.07
-
Moisturizer
Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$50.68
-
SPF
Cleanance
Morning
S$27.51
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
S$39.68
-
Serum or Treatment
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
Evening · Once a week
S$63.44
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Collagen Essential Mask
Once a week
S$62.94
Buy Olay routine · S$248.06 · 83% fit
Buy Avène routine · S$285.32 · 79% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit
Avène vs Olay routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
Cleanance Cleansing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$27.51
-
Hydrating Toner
TROIAREUKE H+Cocktail Purifying Ampoule Toner
Morning · Once a week
S$168.51
-
Moisturizer
Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$26.35
-
SPF
Cleanance
Morning
S$27.51
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
S$70.21
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening · Once a week
S$36.48
-
Serum or Treatment
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
Evening · Once a week
S$63.44
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
S$89.14
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Cleanser
Regenerating Cream Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$25.81
-
Hydrating Toner
TROIAREUKE H+Cocktail Purifying Ampoule Toner
Morning · Once a week
S$168.51
-
Moisturizer
Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$44.05
-
SPF
Regenerist Whip Face Moisturizer SPF 25
Morning
S$38.60
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Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
S$70.21
-
Cleansing Toner
Oil Minimizing Clean Toner
Evening · Once a week
S$49.40
- Serum or Treatment Vitamin C Serum Evening · Once a week
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
S$89.14
Buy Avène routine · S$455.29 · 86% fit
Buy Olay routine · S$485.72 · 81% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
Avène vs Olay routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Cleanance Cleansing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$27.51
-
Hydrating Toner
Whamisa Organic Flowers Toner Deep Rich
Morning · Once a week
S$64.81
-
Moisturizer
Hyaluron Activ B3 Concentrated Plumping Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$58.98
-
SPF
Cleanance
Morning
S$27.51
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
S$70.21
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening · Once a week
S$36.48
-
Serum or Treatment
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
Evening · Once a week
S$63.44
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
S$89.14
-
Cleanser
Regenerating Cream Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$25.81
-
Hydrating Toner
Whamisa Organic Flowers Toner Deep Rich
Morning · Once a week
S$64.81
-
Moisturizer
Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$44.05
-
SPF
Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream
Morning
S$39.91
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
S$70.21
-
Cleansing Toner
Oil Minimizing Clean Toner
Evening · Once a week
S$49.40
- Serum or Treatment Vitamin C Serum Evening · Once a week
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
S$89.14
Buy Avène routine · S$410.57 · 90% fit
Buy Olay routine · S$383.33 · 80% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Questions and answers
Avène or Olay: which is better?
Olay tends to do better on the products on this page for texture, hydration, anti-aging, and brightening, while Avène is better for gentleness and soothing. Reviewers note that Olay offers more fragrance-free options across its line.
What is the difference between Avène and Olay?
Avène focuses on gentle soothing and thermal water for reactive skin, while Olay excels in texture, anti-aging, and deep hydration using key ingredients like Niacinamide and peptides.
Avène or Olay for dry skin?
Both Avène and Olay are a good match for dry skin, offering routines with a High fit level. Olay tends to do better for intense hydration and skin smoothing.
Avène or Olay: which cleanser is better?
Both brands offer solid cleanser options, but Avène stands out for gentleness and soothing on the products on this page. Reviewers note that Avène delivers a gentle deep clean without stripping the skin.
Which is more affordable, Avène or Olay?
Price point is a consideration mentioned for Avène on this page, but there is no direct price comparison available between Avène and Olay to determine which brand is more affordable.
Avène or Olay for oily skin?
Both Avène and Olay achieve a High Lovi fit level for oily skin. The products on this page for both brands feature lightweight textures and effective oil control, though Olay tends to offer more fragrance-free options.
Avène or Olay: which moisturizer is better?
Olay offers better moisturizers on this page, as Olay achieves higher Lovi fit levels for dry and dry sensitive skin than Avène and performs better for hydration and moisture. Olay's moisturizers feature key ingredients like niacinamide, which helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and suppress melanosome transfer, and hyaluronic acid, which helps provide antioxidant and anti-aging effects in skin damage.
Avène or Olay for sensitive skin?
Both Avène and Olay have a High routine fit level for sensitive skin, making them strong options depending on your preference. Avène is often noted for its gentleness and soothing properties, while Olay features extensive fragrance-free options across the products on this page.
Avène or Olay: which sunscreen is better?
Avène is better for sunscreens on this page, as reviewers mostly mention its sunscreens as gentle and non-stripping. Olay features fewer sunscreen options on this page, and its Complete All Day Moisturizer SPF 15 has lower fit levels for several skin types.
Avène or Olay for acne-prone skin?
For acne-prone skin, Avène fits better with a Lovi fit level of Superior, while Olay reaches a High fit. Reviewers note that Avène is especially effective for gentleness and soothing.
Avène or Olay for combination skin?
Avène is a superior fit for combination skin on this page, while Olay is a high fit. Both brands offer targeted products for this skin type, but Avène's specific formulation routines achieve the higher rating.
Avène or Olay for dry sensitive skin?
Olay is a better choice for dry sensitive skin, offering a High routine fit compared to Avène's Average fit on this page.
Avène or Olay for oily acne-prone skin?
For oily acne-prone skin, Avène has a Superior Lovi fit level, whereas Olay has a High fit level. The products on this page for Avène are especially focused on oily acne-prone skin.
Research behind their key ingredients
Molecular basis of retinol anti-ageing properties in naturally aged human skin in vivo
Topical palmitoyl pentapeptide provides improvement in photoaged human facial skin
Reduction in the appearance of facial hyperpigmentation by topical N-acetyl glucosamine
An oil-soluble extract of Rubus idaeus cells enhances hydration and water homeostasis in skin cells
Comparative benefit of two thermal spring waters after photodynamic therapy procedure
Neuroimmunomodulatory compound for sensitive skin care: in vitro and clinical assessment
Comedogenicity in rabbit: some cosmetic ingredients/vehicles
Comparison of methods for assessing photoprotection against ultraviolet A in vivo
Dually functionalized dendrimer for stimuli-responsive release of active ingredients into the skin
Treatment with Ascorbyl Glucoside-Arginine Complex Ameliorates Solar Lentigos
Retrospective Review of Dermal Safety Studies of Organic Sunscreens
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
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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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
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