🇦🇪United Arab Emirates

Avène vs SK-II

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes · How the Fit score works

Avène and SK-II are esteemed skincare names originating from France and Japan, respectively. The French brand is known for its rich moisturizers, reliable sunscreens, targeted serums, gentle cleansers, and hydrating glycerin, while the Japanese brand relies on transformative moisturizers, targeted serums, restorative masks, balancing toners, and signature pitera. Both suit oily acne-prone skin, acne-prone skin, and dry sensitive skin, yet they differ because the former relies on science-backed formulations for a calm complexion, whereas the latter measurably improves pore area, roughness, and redness through regular application.

Avène is a French skincare brand founded in 1990 and owned by Fondation Pierre Fabre.

pierre-fabre.comavene.co.ukaveneusa.com

SK-II is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1980 and owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991.

en.wikipedia.orgdiscoversk-ii.wixsite.comglossy.co

This page compares some of the most popular Avène and SK-II products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Avène vs SK-II products

People Say

AvèneSK-II
  • Texture and Absorption Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Smoother skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “absorbs very quickly — Avène Vitamin Activ Cg Radiance Concentrated Serum”
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Saves my skin in winter — Avène Cold Cream”
    • “Thick but absorbs well eventually — Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream”
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “skin feels deeply hydrated, plump, and smoother — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
  • Radiance and Glow Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “gives a glass skin look — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “leaves me with a red carpet glow — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Skin looks brighter — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “immediate radiance boost — Avène Vitamin Activ Cg Radiance Concentrated Serum”
  • Gentle Formulation Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “leaves face clean but not dry — Avène Cleanance”
    • “no irritation at all — Avène Hydrance+”
    • “No irritation at all, even though it contains retinal - perfect for sensitive skin — Avène RetrinAL EYES”
    • “Watery consistency — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
  • Skin Soothing and Barrier Repair Often MentionedNot 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”
    • “Perfect cleanser for sensitive skin. — Avène Milk Cleanser”
  • General Anti-Aging Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “skin instantly felt firmer — Avène Hyaluron Activ B3 Concentrated Plumping Serum”
    • “I've noticed a definite improvement in the fine lines around my eyes — Avène RetrinAL EYES”
    • “reducing the appearance of fine lines — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “My skin appeared more even toned. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
  • Price and Cost Concerns 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 — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Lack of Results or Performance Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “They have changed the formula recently, and it... is not as good. — Avène Milk Cleanser”
    • “It absolutely couldn't remove anything on its own. — Avène Milk Cleanser”
    • “no difference — Avène Antirougeurs Fort Relief Concentrate”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Strong Fragrance and Scent Issues Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “The fragrance is very present. — Avène Milk Cleanser”
    • “smell is too strong — Avène Cleanance”
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “smells slightly like saliva — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Causes Breakouts and Irritation Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “caused tiny red bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Small bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “did break out some while adjusting — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “Woke up with tiny whiteheads all over — Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream”

Avène vs SK-II routines for dry skin

Buy SK-II routine · AED 2,470.10 · 82% fitBuy Avène routine · AED 669.42 · 77% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Avène vs SK-II routines for oily skin

Buy SK-II routine · AED 2,468.63 · 88% fitBuy Avène routine · AED 859.37 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Avène vs SK-II routines for combination skin

Buy Avène routine · AED 1,056.50 · 88% fitBuy SK-II routine · AED 2,424.45 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Avène or SK-II: which is better?

Both brands are great choices, as Avène and SK-II offer equal routine fit levels for dry, oily, combination, sensitive, mature, and dark spot skin types. Avène is noted for gentle formulation and skin soothing, while SK-II stands out for texture and absorption.

What is the difference between Avène and SK-II?

Avène and SK-II differ in their formulations and targeted benefits, with Avène featuring key ingredients like thermal water and glycerin for soothing sensitive skin, while SK-II uses Pitera across its products on this page to help improve texture and radiance.

Avène or SK-II for dry skin?

Both Avène and SK-II achieve a High routine fit level for dry skin. Glycerin helps provide moisture across the products on this page.

Avène or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

Both brands offer moisturizers with High fit levels for dry skin on the products on this page. Avène features options like Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm, while SK-II includes Facial Treatment Essence and Skinpower Advanced Cream.

Which is more affordable, Avène or SK-II?

Price and cost concerns are noted as a downside for Avène on this page, but there is no mention of SK-II pricing to compare which brand is more affordable.

Between Avène and SK-II, which brand performs better for dry sensitive skin?

For dry sensitive skin, SK-II performs better as Lovi rates its routine fit as High compared to Avène at Average. The products on this page from SK-II also benefit from containing no fragrance in their ingredients.

How do Avène and SK-II compare regarding texture and absorption according to reviewers?

According to reviewers, SK-II performs better regarding texture and absorption.

Which brand is better for oily acne-prone skin, Avène or SK-II?

For oily acne-prone skin, Avène is better, as Lovi rates its routine as Superior compared to High for SK-II. Reviewers note that Avène is better for gentle formulation and skin soothing, while SK-II can cause breakouts and irritation.

Avène or SK-II for oily skin?

For oily skin, both Avène and SK-II have routines with a High Lovi fit level. Avène features ingredients like glycerin, while SK-II uses Pitera.

Avène or SK-II for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, both brands work well, as Lovi rates both Avène and SK-II at a High fit level. Avène may be especially helpful for soothing irritation and gentle formulation, while SK-II uses fragrance-free formulas across all products on this page.

Avène or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, Lovi rates Avène High and SK-II Superior. Avène helps soothe irritation, while SK-II offers better texture and absorption.

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?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play