<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2019-12-30</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000008868</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>AVON PRODUCTS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>AVP</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001472194</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Fernandez Calero Miguel Angel</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O AVON PRODUCTS, INC.,</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>1 AVON PLACE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SUFFERN</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10901</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Global President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

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            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Stock Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
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            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
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                <transactionPricePerShare>
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                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
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            <expirationDate>
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                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
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                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
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                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
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                </underlyingSecurityShares>
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                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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                    <value>381567</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
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        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
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                <value>2019-12-30</value>
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                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
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            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
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                    <value>120246</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
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            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
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                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
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                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>120246</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
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                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>261321</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
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        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Restricted stock units and restricted stock convert into common stock on a 1-for-1 basis.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Restricted Stock Units were granted on 8/21/2017, 3/14/2018 and 3/13/2019 and were scheduled to vest into common stock on 8/21/20, 3/14/2021 and 3/13/2022.  In anticipation of Avon Products, Inc.'s upcoming merger with Natura Cosmeticos S.A. (the &quot;Upcoming Merger&quot;) and with approval of the Compensation and Management Development Committee of the Board of Directors, the Units were converted into restricted stock on 12/30/19 and retain the Units' original vesting date and will vest as follows: 81,028 on 8/21/20; 84,336 on 3/14/21; and 256,721 on 3/13/22.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Represents shares withheld for tax purposes.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Shares calculated for withholding at the closing price on the date of the transaction, or $5.70.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">In anticipation of the Upcoming Merger and with approval of the Compensation and Management Development Committee of the Board of Directors, previously granted performance-based restricted stock units (PSUs) were converted into restricted stock on 12/30/19. The restricted stock granted in place of the PSUs retain the PSUs' original vesting dates and vest as follows: 68,064 on 8/21/20; 86,588 on 3/14/21; and 106,669 on 3/13/22.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Ginny Edwards, Attorney-In-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2020-01-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
