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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 Canadian brand centers its offerings on targeted serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and toners featuring hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, while the French brand is universally loved for versatile moisturizers, reliable sunscreens, targeted serums, and gentle cleansers formulated with nourishing glycerin. The former suits dry skin and dry sensitive skin best, whereas the latter suits acne-prone skin and oily acne-prone skin best by offering profound relief without heaviness. Ultimately, both differ in their foundational approaches, as the first relies on specialized single-ingredient concentrations for specific concerns, and the second utilizes soothing, expert formulations for sensitive and reactive complexions.

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 · £90.51 · 97% fitBuy Avène routine · £93.03 · 77% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

The Ordinary vs Avène routines for oily skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · £120.07 · 93% fitBuy Avène routine · £170.97 · 86% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

The Ordinary vs Avène routines for combination skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · £134.25 · 92% fitBuy Avène routine · £195.53 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or Avène: which is better?

The Ordinary is generally better for budget-friendly routines and targeted treatments, while Avène is better for gentle, soothing care, especially on sensitive skin. The Ordinary offers superior routine fit across all skin types on this page.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Avène?

The Ordinary delivers superior everyday value and texture smoothing with fragrance-free formulas, whereas Avène excels in hydration, plumping, and soothing irritation with its thermal spring water base. The products on this page for The Ordinary fit dry, sensitive, and dry sensitive skin best, while Avène focuses primarily on acne-prone, oily acne-prone, and combination skin types. Hyaluronic acid helps improve skin hydration and fights the signs of aging for both brands.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Drug Delivery, 2017

The Ordinary or Avène for dry skin?

For dry skin, The Ordinary has a Superior routine fit while Avène has a High routine fit. The Ordinary offers fragrance-free products on its page with key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, helping deliver deep hydration.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Avène: which cleanser is better?

The Ordinary offers a better cleanser selection overall because the products on this page achieve a Superior fit for dry skin and High fit for sensitive skin, whereas Avène cleansers tend to cause irritation or dryness.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Avène?

The Ordinary offers more affordable products with great value serums, whereas reviewers sometimes note price point as a complaint for Avène.

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

The Ordinary has more fragrance-free products, as every single product on its page lists no fragrance in its ingredients. In contrast, Avène includes 7 out of 15 products on its page with listed fragrance.

Which brand is better for dark spot fading according to reviewers?

The Ordinary does better for dark spot fading according to reviewers. The products on this page help with dark spot fading, and the brand offers dedicated dark spot fading serums.

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 oily skin?

The Ordinary is a Superior fit for oily skin, while Avène is a High fit. Niacinamide helps control sebum and reduce oiliness, and the products on this page are fragrance-free.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

The Ordinary or Avène: which moisturizer is better?

The products on this page from The Ordinary achieve a superior routine fit for dry skin compared to Avène, which has a high routine fit. Hyaluronic acid helps provide deep hydration and may improve signs of skin aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Avène for sensitive skin?

The Ordinary is a Superior fit for sensitive skin, whereas Avène is a High fit. Reviewers note that The Ordinary offers better value and texture-smoothing benefits, while Avène is frequently praised for soothing irritation.

The Ordinary or Avène for acne-prone skin?

The Ordinary is a Superior fit for acne-prone skin, while Avène is a High fit. The products on this page for The Ordinary offer strong acne-clearing and texture-smoothing benefits with key ingredients like salicylic acid and niacinamide.

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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