Avène vs Clarins
Avène and Clarins are French skincare brands that offer rich moisturizers, gentle cleansers, sunscreens, and serums formulated with glycerin, shea, and squalane. The former suits oily and acne-prone skin best, relying on science-backed formulas and standout products like the Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm, while the latter suits sensitive and dry skin best with nourishing treatments such as the Double Serum Light Texture. Ultimately, both brands differ in their founding heritages and specific ingredient benefits, yet each ensures a calm, balanced complexion.
Avène is a French skincare brand founded in 1990 and owned by Fondation Pierre Fabre.
pierre-fabre.comavene.co.ukaveneusa.com
Clarins is a French skincare brand founded in 1954 and owned by Famille C (Groupe Clarins).
groupeclarins.comen.wikipedia.orghappi.com
This page compares some of the most popular Avène and Clarins products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Avène vs Clarins products
People Say
Texture and Absorption Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “absorbs immediately — Clarins Double Serum Eye”
- “sinks in immediately — Clarins Double Serum Light Texture”
- “melting non-oily texture — Clarins Extra-Firming Neck & Décolleté Cream”
- “Thick but absorbs well eventually — Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream”
Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “skin drinks it up — Clarins Double Serum”
- “keeps skin moist — Clarins Multi-Active Jour”
- “woke up with baby soft skin — Clarins Multi-Active Nuit”
- “Restores moisture barrier — Avène Cold Cream”
Gentle and Non-Stripping Cleansing Often MentionedNot noted
- “leaves face clean but not dry — Avène Cleanance”
- “Perfect cleanser for sensitive skin. — Avène Milk Cleanser”
- “Squeaky clean but soft — Avène Cleanance Cleansing Gel”
Skin Soothing and Calmness Often MentionedRarely Noted
- “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”
- “no irritation at all — Avène Hydrance+”
- “calms my skin — Clarins Hydrating Toning Lotion”
Dewy and Glowing Finish Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “skin looks brighter immediately — Clarins Cryo-Flash Cream-Mask”
- “Gives off the most stunning natural radiance I've ever come across. — Clarins Beauty Flash Balm”
- “gives a healthy morning glow — Clarins Multi-Active Nuit”
- “immediate radiance boost — Avène Vitamin Activ Cg Radiance Concentrated Serum”
Strong Fragrance and Scent Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “The fragrance is very present. — Avène Milk Cleanser”
- “smell is too strong — Avène Cleanance”
- “Smells like grandma — Avène Cold Cream”
- “smells like perfume — Clarins Multi-Active Jour”
High Price Point and Value Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
- “Its a bit pricey but so worth it!! — Avène Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm”
- “a bit pricey — Avène Cleanance”
- “Tiny tube for the money — Avène Cold Cream”
- “way too expensive — Clarins Double Serum”
Packaging and Design 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”
- “dispenses too much product — Clarins Total Eye Lift”
Formula Changes and Discontinuation Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “bring it back — Avène Antirougeurs Fort Relief Concentrate”
- “They have changed the formula recently, and it... is not as good. — Avène Milk Cleanser”
- “New formulation has been met with widespread disappointment. — Clarins Beauty Flash Balm”
- “miss the old yellow toner — Clarins Hydrating Toning Lotion”
Avène vs Clarins routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
Cleanance Cleansing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 76.99
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Moisturizer
Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 169.99
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SPF
Ultra Fluid
Morning
AED 105.54
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Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
AED 35.29
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Cleansing Toner
ROUND LAB 1025 Dokdo Cleansing Water
Evening
AED 38.99
-
Serum or Treatment
Antirougeurs Fort Relief Concentrate
Evening · Once a week
AED 130.00
-
Enzyme Powder
VT Cica Mild Powder Wash
Once a week
AED 47.62
-
Nourishing Mask
Mediheal Watermide Essential Mask
Once a week
AED 65.00
-
Cleanser
Gentle Foaming Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 170.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Hydrating Toning Lotion
Morning
AED 141.00
-
Moisturizer
Hydra-Essentiel Silky Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 188.12
-
SPF
Dr.G Green Mild Up Sun+
Morning
AED 81.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
Total Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
AED 192.08
-
Cleansing Toner
Purifying Toning Lotion
Evening
AED 135.00
- Serum or Treatment BRIGHT PLUS Evening · Once a week
-
Enzyme Powder
VT Cica Mild Powder Wash
Once a week
AED 47.62
-
Nourishing Mask
Cryo-Flash Cream-Mask
Once a week
AED 347.13
Buy Avène routine · AED 669.42 · 77% fit
Buy Clarins routine · AED 1,301.95 · 73% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
Avène vs Clarins routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
Cleanance Cleansing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 76.99
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
AED 49.99
-
Moisturizer
Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 68.90
-
SPF
Cleanance
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 58.95
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
AED 179.45
-
Cleansing Toner
Pixi Glow Tonic
Evening
AED 120.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
AED 101.09
-
Cleansing Mask
Revision Skincare Black Mask
Once a week
AED 204.00
-
Cleanser
Gentle Foaming Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 170.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Hydrating Toning Lotion
Morning · Once a week
AED 141.00
-
Moisturizer
Double Serum Light Texture
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 270.00
-
SPF
d'Alba UVessence Mild Waterfull Sun Cream SPF 50
Morning
AED 92.70
-
Pre-Cleanser
Total Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
AED 192.08
-
Cleansing Toner
Purifying Toning Lotion
Evening
AED 135.00
- Serum or Treatment BRIGHT PLUS Evening · Once a week
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
AED 101.09
-
Cleansing Mask
Revision Skincare Black Mask
Once a week
AED 204.00
Buy Avène routine · AED 859.37 · 87% fit
Buy Clarins routine · AED 1,305.87 · 71% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Avène vs Clarins routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Cleanance Cleansing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 76.99
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
AED 145.00
-
Moisturizer
Hyaluron Activ B3 Concentrated Plumping Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 118.99
-
SPF
Cleanance
Morning
AED 58.95
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
AED 179.45
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
AED 53.12
-
Serum or Treatment
Vitamin Activ Cg Radiance Concentrated Serum
Evening · Once a week
AED 199.98
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
AED 101.09
-
Cleansing Mask
KORA Organics Turmeric Brightening & Exfoliating Mask
Once a week
AED 122.93
-
Cleanser
Gentle Foaming Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 170.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Hydrating Toning Lotion
Morning · Once a week
AED 141.00
-
Moisturizer
Double Serum Light Texture
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 270.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
Total Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
AED 192.08
-
Cleansing Toner
Purifying Toning Lotion
Evening
AED 135.00
- Serum or Treatment BRIGHT PLUS Evening · Once a week
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
AED 101.09
-
Cleansing Mask
KORA Organics Turmeric Brightening & Exfoliating Mask
Once a week
AED 122.93
Buy Avène routine · AED 1,056.50 · 88% fit
Buy Clarins routine · AED 1,132.10 · 71% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
Questions and answers
Avène or Clarins: which is better?
Avene is better for gentle, soothing care that calms irritation, while Clarins is better for luxurious textures and hydrating, glowing moisturizers. For dry sensitive skin, the products on this page show that Clarins has a High fit level while Avene has an Average fit level.
What is the difference between Avène and Clarins?
Avène fits oily acne-prone skin with a Superior level, whereas Clarins fits this skin type with a High level. Avène features thermal water and glycerin as key ingredients across the products on this page, while Clarins includes shea butter, squalane, oat, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and glycerin.
Avène or Clarins for dry skin?
Avène is a better choice for dry skin, as the routine fit on this page is High compared to Clarins at Average. Both brands feature key hydrating ingredients like glycerin, but Avène also relies on thermal water.
Avène or Clarins: which cleanser is better?
Avène does better for gentle and non-stripping cleansing among the products on this page. Reviewers mostly mention Avène cleansers for providing a gentle deep clean.
Which is more affordable, Avène or Clarins?
Avène is more affordable than Clarins, as high price point and value are noted as negative review themes specifically for Avène on this page.
Between Avène and Clarins, which brand offers better fragrance-free options?
Avene offers better fragrance-free options because 7 of the 15 products on this page list no fragrance, whereas only 1 of the 24 Clarins products is fragrance-free.
How do the founding years and corporate ownership of Avène and Clarins compare?
Avène was founded in 1990 in France and is owned by Fondation Pierre Fabre, whereas Clarins was founded earlier in 1954 in France and is owned by Famille C through Groupe Clarins.
Which brand performs better for dry sensitive skin and oily acne-prone skin according to routine fits?
Clarins fits dry sensitive skin at a High level while Avene reaches an Average level. For oily acne-prone skin, Avene reaches a Superior level and Clarins has a High fit level.
Avène or Clarins for oily skin?
Avène is better suited for oily skin, offering products on this page with a Superior fit level for that skin type. Reviewers note that the brand helps provide effective oil control.
Avène or Clarins: which moisturizer is better?
Avène and Clarins both offer effective moisturizers, with Avène featuring high fit levels for dry skin like its Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm, while Clarins also provides deeply hydrating options such as Hydra-Essentiel Silky Cream. Topical application of ingredients like hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.
Avène or Clarins for sensitive skin?
Both Avène and Clarins offer a high routine fit for sensitive skin. Avène is noted for its skin soothing and calmness, while Clarins products on this page provide luxurious textures and hydration.
Avène or Clarins for acne-prone skin?
Avène and Clarins both fit acne-prone skin well with a High level. Avène features a routine fit of High for acne-prone skin, while Clarins also reaches a High level for this skin type.
Research behind their key ingredients
The Effect of Aloe Vera Clinical Trials on Prevention and Healing of Skin Wound: A Systematic Review
Molecular basis of retinol anti-ageing properties in naturally aged human skin in vivo
Effects of ascorbic acid on gingival melanin pigmentation in vitro and in vivo
Apigenin inhibits UVA-induced cytotoxicity in vitro and prevents signs of skin aging in vivo
Vitamin C-squalene bioconjugate promotes epidermal thickening and collagen production in human skin
Mechanism of action and clinical benefits of colloidal oatmeal for dermatologic practice
An oil-soluble extract of Rubus idaeus cells enhances hydration and water homeostasis in skin cells
Colloidal Oatmeal <em>(Avena Sativa)</em> Improves Skin Barrier Through Multi-Therapy Activity
Comparative benefit of two thermal spring waters after photodynamic therapy procedure
Skin improvement and stability of Echinacea purpurea dermatological formulations
The impacts of sodium lauroyl sarcosinate in facial cleanser on facial skin microbiome and lipidome
Comparison of methods for assessing photoprotection against ultraviolet A in vivo
Modulating effects of oatmeal extracts in the sodium lauryl sulfate skin irritancy model
Moisturizing effect of stable cream containing Crocus sativus extracts
Treatment with Ascorbyl Glucoside-Arginine Complex Ameliorates Solar Lentigos
Retrospective Review of Dermal Safety Studies of Organic Sunscreens
Microcirculation-Promoting Effect of Escin on Cutaneous Tissue via Gsk3β Down-Regulation
Saccharide isomerate ameliorates cosmetic scalp conditions in a Chinese study population
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
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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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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