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CeraVe vs Avène

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

CeraVe and Avène are well-loved skincare brands that offer a thoughtful range of moisturizers, cleansers, serums, and sunscreens. The American brand is known for utilizing hyaluronic acid and glycerin, making its formulations best suited for acne-prone skin and combination skin, while the French brand relies on science-backed ingredients to suit oily acne-prone skin and acne-prone skin. While both brands support barrier function and hydration, they differ in their specific targeted treatments, such as CeraVe offering specialized night creams and Avène featuring soothing recovery balms.

CeraVe is an American skincare brand founded in 2005 and owned by L'Oréal since 2017.

en.wikipedia.orghappi.comloreal-finance.comcerave.com

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 CeraVe and Avène products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular CeraVe vs Avène products

People Say

CeraVeAvène
  • Fragrance-Free and Gentle Formulas Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “no burning sensation — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “No scent, no irritation — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “leaves face clean but not dry — Avène Cleanance”
    • “Perfect cleanser for sensitive skin. — Avène Milk Cleanser”
  • Texture and Absorption Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Absorbs into skin without residue — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Sinks right into your skin — CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “difference in my skin's texture is noticeable — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
    • “Thick but absorbs well eventually — Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream”
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Saved my dry winter skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “woke up with plump skin — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
    • “cured my dry patches — CeraVe Eye Repair Cream”
    • “Restores moisture barrier — Avène Cold Cream”
  • Redness and Sensitivity Soothing Rarely NotedOften 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”
    • “Calms angry, red skin — Avène Soothing Radiance Mask”
    • “no stinging or redness — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
  • Acne Control and Clearing Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “dialed back oiliness — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “Never breaks me out — CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “helped to stop my breakout in its tracks — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
    • “Keeps me matte for hours — Avène Cleanance Cleansing Gel”
  • Value and Price Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “reasonably priced — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “Huge tub lasts forever — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “Great everyday moisturizer — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Bottle lasts for months — Avène Cleanance Cleansing Gel”
  • Texture and Residue Complications Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “feels like washing with conditioner — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “too sticky — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
    • “hard to spread — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
    • “leaves a white layer — Avène Hydrance+”
  • Breakouts and Purging Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Gave me cystic acne — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “gave me closed comedones — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “Woke up with tiny whiteheads all over — Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream”
    • “Caused small bumps/texture — Avène Soothing Radiance Mask”
  • Packaging and Sizing Issues Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “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”
    • “no safety seal included — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”

CeraVe vs Avène routines for dry skin

Buy CeraVe routine · AED 400.41 · 89% fitBuy Avène routine · AED 669.42 · 77% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

CeraVe vs Avène routines for oily skin

Buy Avène routine · AED 859.37 · 87% fitBuy CeraVe routine · AED 864.04 · 86% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

CeraVe vs Avène routines for combination skin

Buy CeraVe routine · AED 850.34 · 93% fitBuy Avène routine · AED 1,056.50 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

CeraVe or Avène: which is better?

CeraVe is generally better for hydration, texture, and acne control, while Avène is better for soothing redness and sensitivity. CeraVe achieves a Superior fit level for combination skin, acne-prone skin, and skin with dark spots, whereas Avène achieves a Superior fit level for oily acne-prone skin.

What is the difference between CeraVe and Avène?

CeraVe has a Superior Lovi fit level for acne-prone skin, while Avène has a Superior Lovi fit level for oily acne-prone skin. The products on this page for CeraVe list no fragrance in their ingredients, whereas 7 of 15 Avène products on this page list fragrance.

CeraVe or Avène for dry skin?

For dry skin, CeraVe and Avène offer an equal routine fit level of High, though the products on this page show that CeraVe generally stands out for hydration and moisture. Ceramides help restore the skin barrier, while hyaluronic acid and glycerin help draw in and retain moisture.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

CeraVe or Avène: which cleanser is better?

CeraVe offers better cleansers on this page, with the Foaming Facial Cleanser and Blemish Control Cleanser helping oily acne-prone skin at a Superior fit level.

Which is more affordable, CeraVe or Avène?

CeraVe is more affordable than Avène, as CeraVe performs better for value and price across the products on this page.

CeraVe or Avène for oily skin?

Both CeraVe and Avène offer a High routine fit for oily skin. The products on this page help provide good oil control and gentle cleansing options for this skin type.

CeraVe or Avène: which moisturizer is better?

CeraVe provides lightweight, non-greasy moisturizers that achieve a Superior fit for combination skin, whereas Avène focuses more on soothing irritation with options like the Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm. Reviewers note that CeraVe generally outperforms Avène in texture and deep hydration.

CeraVe or Avène for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, CeraVe achieves a High Lovi fit level while Avène reaches an Average level. CeraVe offers fragrance-free products across the entire page, whereas Avène includes fragrance in several of its formulas.

CeraVe or Avène: which sunscreen is better?

CeraVe provides a High Lovi fit with its Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen and Ultra-Light Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30 across most skin types, whereas Avène has varying levels including Superior for Cleanance sunscreen on oily skin and lower fits like Low for Hydrance+ on several skin types. Every CeraVe product on this page lists no fragrance, while some Avène sunscreens list fragrance.

CeraVe or Avène for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, CeraVe is the better choice, offering a Superior routine fit compared to Avène's High fit.

CeraVe or Avène for combination skin?

For combination skin, CeraVe provides a Superior routine fit, whereas Avène has a High fit. The products on this page for CeraVe help with deep hydration and acne control, while every product on the page lists no fragrance.

CeraVe or Avène for dry sensitive skin?

CeraVe is a better choice for dry sensitive skin, offering a High routine fit compared to Avène's Average fit level. CeraVe features a ceramide-dominant barrier repair formulation that helps alleviate skin barrier issues.

CeraVe or Avène for oily acne-prone skin?

For oily acne-prone skin, Avène has a Superior routine fit, while CeraVe has a High routine fit on this page.

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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