Medicube vs Avène
Medicube and Avène are skincare brands that offer curated moisturizers, serums, toners, masks, sunscreens, and gentle cleansers featuring niacinamide, collagen, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin. The Korean brand, founded in 2016, is revered for products that suit oily acne-prone skin and oily skin best by balancing excess sebum and hydration, while the French brand, founded in 1990, relies on science-backed formulations to ensure a calm and balanced complexion. Both brands cater effectively to oily acne-prone skin, yet they differ in their origins and specific ingredient focuses, with the former utilizing collagen and the latter utilizing glycerin to restore barrier function.
Medicube is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2016 and owned by APR Corp..
medicubereviews.co.ukglossy.co
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 Medicube and Avène products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Medicube vs Avène products
People Say
Soothing and Gentle Formulation Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “Calmed my angry red skin overnight — Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream”
- “leaves face clean but not dry — Avène Cleanance”
- “Nothing has ever worked to soothe or heal my skin like these before. — Avène Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm”
- “refreshing sensation — Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Gel Mask”
Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
- “skin feels bouncier and hydrated — Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum”
- “glass skin — Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Gel Mask”
- “woke up with baby soft skin — Medicube Collagen Jelly Cream”
- “Restores moisture barrier — Avène Cold Cream”
Skin Texture and Smoothing Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “gives my skin a smooth, glass-like finish — Medicube Zero Pore Pad”
- “skin feels smoother — Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum”
- “skin feels baby soft — Medicube Zero Pore Blackhead Mud Mask”
- “I've noticed a definite improvement in the fine lines around my eyes — Avène RetrinAL EYES”
Glow and Radiance Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “gave me instant glass skin — Medicube Collagen Jelly Cream”
- “woke up with glowing skin — Medicube Collagen Night Wrapping Mask”
- “Dark spots go away faster — Medicube Deep Vita C Pad”
- “immediate radiance boost — Avène Vitamin Activ Cg Radiance Concentrated Serum”
Pores and Oil Control Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “Pores drastically reduced — Medicube Zero Foam Cleanser”
- “noticed a real difference in pore visibility — Medicube Zero Pore Pad”
- “Keeps me matte for hours — Avène Cleanance Cleansing Gel”
- “keeps skin matte — Avène Cleanance”
Breakouts and Irritation Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “caused redness and sensitivity — Medicube Zero Pore Pad”
- “woke up with whiteheads — Medicube Collagen Night Wrapping Mask”
- “Woke up with tiny whiteheads all over — Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream”
- “Caused small bumps/texture — Avène Soothing Radiance Mask”
Strong Fragrance and Scent Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “slightly fishy smell — Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum”
- “smells like old lady perfume — Medicube Collagen Jelly Cream”
- “The fragrance is very present. — Avène Milk Cleanser”
- “smell is too strong — Avène Cleanance”
Sticky and Greasy Residue Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “Leaves a greasy film — Avène Cold Cream”
- “sticky kinda feeling — Avène Hyaluron Activ B3 Concentrated Plumping Serum”
- “too shiny — Avène Hydrance+”
- “hair sticks to my face — Medicube Collagen Jelly Cream”
Packaging and Quantity Issues Often MentionedSometimes 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”
- “tube is tiny for the price — Medicube Collagen Night Wrapping Mask”
Product Ineffectiveness and Separation Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
- “didn't remove deep blackheads — Medicube Zero Pore Blackhead Mud Mask”
- “didn't notice any pore improvements — Medicube Zero Pore Pad”
- “didn't feel much help — Medicube Red Succinic Acid Peeling Pad”
- “bring it back — Avène Antirougeurs Fort Relief Concentrate”
Medicube vs Avène routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
Zero Foam Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 38.99
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Hydrating Toner
Triple Collagen Toner
Morning
AED 38.55
-
Moisturizer
AGE-R Booster Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 92.33
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SPF
Dr.G Green Mild Up Sun+
Morning
AED 81.00
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Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
AED 35.29
-
Cleansing Toner
Zero Pore Pad
Evening
AED 41.99
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Serum or Treatment
One Day Exosome Shot 2000
Evening · Once a week
AED 35.00
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Enzyme Powder
VT Cica Mild Powder Wash
Once a week
AED 47.62
-
Nourishing Mask
Deep Peptide Radiance Mask
Once a week
AED 49.99
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Cleanser
Cleanance Cleansing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 76.99
-
Moisturizer
Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 169.99
-
SPF
Ultra Fluid
Morning
AED 105.54
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
AED 35.29
-
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
Buy Medicube routine · AED 460.76 · 86% fit
Buy Avène routine · AED 669.42 · 77% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
Medicube vs Avène routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
Red Foam Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 50.50
-
Hydrating Toner
Triple Collagen Toner
Morning · Once a week
AED 38.55
-
Moisturizer
AGE-R Booster Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 92.33
-
SPF
d'Alba UVessence Mild Waterfull Sun Cream SPF 50
Morning
AED 92.70
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
AED 179.45
-
Cleansing Toner
Zero Pore Pad
Evening
AED 41.99
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
AED 101.09
-
Cleansing Mask
Zero Pore Blackhead Mud Mask
Once a week
AED 49.00
-
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
Buy Medicube routine · AED 645.61 · 87% fit
Buy Avène routine · AED 859.37 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Medicube vs Avène 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
Red Foam Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 50.50
-
Hydrating Toner
Triple Collagen Toner
Morning · Once a week
AED 38.55
-
Moisturizer
AGE-R Booster Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 92.33
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
AED 179.45
-
Cleansing Toner
Zero Pore Pad
Evening
AED 41.99
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
AED 101.09
-
Cleansing Mask
Zero Pore Blackhead Mud Mask
Once a week
AED 49.00
Buy Avène routine · AED 1,056.50 · 88% fit
Buy Medicube routine · AED 552.91 · 86% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
Questions and answers
Medicube or Avène: which is better?
Both brands are great choices, but they excel in different areas based on your skin goals. Medicube products on this page stand out for providing deep hydration, radiant glow, and smoother skin texture, whereas Avène is often noted for soothing and gentle formulations. For dry sensitive skin, Lovi rates Medicube as High and Avène as Average.
What is the difference between Medicube and Avène?
Medicube tends to focus on hydration, smoothing texture, and radiant glow with key ingredients like niacinamide and collagen, whereas Avène emphasizes soothing formulations featuring thermal water and gentle cleansers. Both brands achieve high routine fit levels across most skin types, though Medicube is rated High for dry sensitive skin compared to Avène's Average fit.
Medicube or Avène for dry skin?
Both Medicube and Avène achieve a High Lovi fit level for dry skin. Medicube leans on hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid to help improve skin moisture and texture, while Avène focuses on soothing formulas like Thermal water.
Medicube or Avène: which cleanser is better?
Medicube offers a wider range of high-performing cleansers, as the products on this page show high or superior Lovi fit levels across most skin types, whereas Avène cleansers vary from high to caution depending on the skin type. Reviewers also note that Medicube cleansers provide a gentle deep clean while focusing on hydration.
Which is more affordable, Medicube or Avène?
The products on this page for Medicube and Avene do not have pricing data provided, so it is unclear which brand is more affordable.
Which brand has more fragrance-free products, Medicube or Avène?
Medicube offers more fragrance-free options, as 23 of the 25 products on this page list no fragrance, compared to only 7 of 15 products for Avène.
Medicube or Avène for oily skin?
Both brands offer a high Lovi fit level for oily skin. The products on this page show that Medicube features key ingredients like niacinamide and salicylic acid, while Avène highlights thermal water and glycerin.
Medicube or Avène: which moisturizer is better?
Both Medicube and Avène offer moisturizers that help provide deep hydration. Medicube focuses on ingredients like collagen and niacinamide, which help improve skin texture and moisture retention.
Medicube or Avène for sensitive skin?
Both brands achieve a High routine fit level for sensitive skin. Medicube leans on hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid to help support dry skin, which topical treatments show may improve skin quality.
Medicube or Avène for acne-prone skin?
Both Medicube and Avène achieve a High Lovi fit for acne-prone skin. Medicube leans heavily on ingredients like niacinamide and salicylic acid across the products on this page to help tackle breakouts, while Avène relies heavily on thermal water and gentle formulations to soothe irritated skin.
Medicube or Avène for dry sensitive skin?
For dry sensitive skin, Medicube is a better fit with a High level, while Avène has an Average level on the products on this page. Medicube offers high hydration moisturizers like the Collagen Jelly Cream, which helps with dry skin.
Medicube or Avène for oily acne-prone skin?
For oily acne-prone skin, Avène has a Superior Lovi fit level on this page, while Medicube has a High Lovi fit level. Both brands offer effective oil control and gentle deep cleansers, but Avène may be less likely to cause the sticky residue reported by reviewers of the products on this page.
Research behind their key ingredients
Topical palmitoyl pentapeptide provides improvement in photoaged human facial skin
Molecular basis of retinol anti-ageing properties in naturally aged human skin in vivo
Apigenin inhibits UVA-induced cytotoxicity in vitro and prevents signs of skin aging in vivo
Effect of Camellia japonica oil on human type I procollagen production and skin barrier function
Protective effects of Camellia japonica flower extract against urban air pollutants
Microneedling by dermapen and glycolic acid peel for the treatment of acne scars: Comparative study
A comparative study of gluconolactone versus benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of acne
An oil-soluble extract of Rubus idaeus cells enhances hydration and water homeostasis in skin cells
The synergistic effect of retinyl propionate and hydroxypinacolone retinoate on skin aging
Comparative benefit of two thermal spring waters after photodynamic therapy procedure
Supramolecular collagen nanoparticles for anti-wrinkle, skin whitening, and moisturizing effects
Comparison of methods for assessing photoprotection against ultraviolet A in vivo
The anti wrinkle efficacy of synthetic hexapeptide (Argireline) in Chinese Subjects
Functional properties and skin care effects of sodium trehalose sulfate
Composition characterization and clinical efficacy study of a salmon egg extract
Anti-Aging Efficacy of Low-Molecular-Weight Polydeoxyribonucleotide Derived from Paeonia lactiflora
Treatment with Ascorbyl Glucoside-Arginine Complex Ameliorates Solar Lentigos
Retrospective Review of Dermal Safety Studies of Organic Sunscreens
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
-

Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-

Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-

Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-

Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-

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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