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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 brands originating from France and Japan respectively, offering thoughtfully formulated moisturizers, nourishing serums, cleansers, and masks. The French brand relies on science-backed formulations featuring hydrating glycerin, while SK-II is anchored by its signature ingredient, pitera. Both suit acne-prone and dry skin best, though they differ through distinct active ingredients designed to deliver a calm and balanced complexion.

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 · A$1,400.12 · 90% fitBuy Avène routine · A$239.08 · 78% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Avène vs SK-II routines for oily skin

Buy SK-II routine · A$1,436.99 · 89% fitBuy Avène routine · A$394.87 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Avène vs SK-II routines for combination skin

Buy SK-II routine · A$1,429.91 · 88% fitBuy Avène routine · A$381.11 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

Avène or SK-II: which is better?

Both Avène and SK-II are great choices, with Avène excelling at gentle formulation and skin soothing while SK-II leads in texture and radiance. For dry sensitive skin, Lovi rates SK-II as High and Avène as Average.

What is the difference between Avène and SK-II?

Avène and SK-II differ mainly in their formulation focus and review ratings, with Avène featuring thermal water and glycerin across products on this page while SK-II relies on Pitera and lists no fragrance in any product. Reviewers find that Avène offers gentler formulation and better skin soothing, whereas SK-II does better for texture, absorption, and radiance.

Avène or SK-II for dry skin?

For dry skin, SK-II has a superior routine fit compared to Avene's high fit on the products on this page. SK-II's key ingredient is Pitera, while Avene relies on thermal water and glycerin, which helps with hydration.

Avène or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

Both Avène and SK-II offer moisturizers with strong benefits, but Avène provides exceptional soothing options like the Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm, which has a High fit for dry sensitive skin, while SK-II features products like the Facial Treatment Essence with a High fit for dry skin. Glycerin helps provide moisture across the products on this page.

Which is more affordable, Avène or SK-II?

Avène comes with price and cost concerns mentioned by reviewers, whereas SK-II does not have this noted on the page.

Avène or SK-II for reducing dark spots?

Both Avène and SK-II products on this page help with reducing dark spots, with SK-II providing better texture and absorption while Avène offers more gentle formulation and soothing benefits.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Avène or SK-II for anti-aging and mature skin?

Both brands offer products on this page that fit mature skin well, with Avène providing gentle formulation and skin soothing, while SK-II does better with texture, absorption, and radiance. For anti-aging, Avène features ingredients like retinol which helps reduce collagen-degrading matrix metalloproteinases and stimulates collagen accumulation in naturally aged human skin.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Archives of Dermatology, 2007

Avène or SK-II for oily skin?

Both Avène and SK-II achieve a High routine fit for oily skin on the products on this page. Avène features effective oil control, while SK-II offers fragrance-free options with Pitera as a key ingredient.

Avène or SK-II for sensitive skin?

Avène and SK-II both feature a High Lovi fit level for sensitive skin, but Avène does better for gentle formulation and skin soothing. Every product on the SK-II page lists no fragrance, whereas 7 of 15 products on the Avène page list fragrance.

Avène or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

SK-II is a superior choice for acne-prone skin on this page. Lovi rates SK-II as Superior for acne-prone skin, whereas Avène is rated High.

Avène or SK-II for dry sensitive skin?

For dry sensitive skin, SK-II is a better fit with a High rating from Lovi compared to Avène's Average rating. Additionally, SK-II offers fragrance-free formulations across the products on this page, which helps minimize potential irritation for sensitive types.

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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