CeraVe vs Avène
CeraVe and Avène are respected skincare brands that offer thoughtful moisturizers, cleansers, serums, sunscreens, and more. CeraVe is universally loved for its hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, making it best for dry skin and acne-prone skin. Meanwhile, Avène is universally loved for its rich formulations and glycerin, suiting oily acne-prone skin and acne-prone skin best. Ultimately, they differ through their respective American and French origins as well as their specific targeted solutions.
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
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
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Cleanser
Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$19.39
-
Hydrating Toner
Hydrating Toner
Morning
A$28.55
-
Moisturizer
Skin Renewing Night Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$30.69
-
SPF
Daily Moisturizing Lotion
Morning
A$19.39
-
Pre-Cleanser
Makeup Removing Cleanser Balm
Evening · Once a week
A$31.00
-
Serum or Treatment
Skin Renewing Retinol Serum
Evening · Once a week
A$33.69
-
Enzyme Powder
FANCL Facial Washing Powder
Once a week
A$35.50
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
A$28.48
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Cleanser
Cleanance Cleansing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$24.99
-
Hydrating Toner
Pyunkang Yul Calming Deep Moisture Toner
Morning
A$23.99
-
Moisturizer
Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$29.99
-
SPF
Ultra Fluid
Morning
A$23.39
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
A$27.35
-
Serum or Treatment
Vitamin Activ Cg Radiance Concentrated Serum
Evening · Once a week
A$45.39
-
Enzyme Powder
FANCL Facial Washing Powder
Once a week
A$35.50
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
A$28.48
Buy CeraVe routine · A$226.69 · 89% fit
Buy Avène routine · A$239.08 · 78% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
CeraVe vs Avène routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
Cleanance Cleansing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$24.99
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
A$34.66
-
Moisturizer
Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$24.99
-
SPF
Cleanance
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$24.99
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
A$80.43
-
Cleansing Toner
Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Toner
Evening
A$75.95
-
Enzyme Powder
FANCL Facial Washing Powder
Once a week
A$35.50
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
A$118.35
-
Cleanser
Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$13.99
-
Hydrating Toner
Hydrating Toner
Morning · Once a week
A$28.55
-
Moisturizer
PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$36.14
-
SPF
Daily Moisturizing Lotion
Morning
A$19.39
-
Pre-Cleanser
Makeup Removing Cleanser Balm
Evening · Once a week
A$31.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Toner
Evening
A$75.95
-
Serum or Treatment
Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum
Evening · Once a week
A$33.69
-
Enzyme Powder
FANCL Facial Washing Powder
Once a week
A$35.50
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
A$118.35
Buy Avène routine · A$394.87 · 87% fit
Buy CeraVe routine · A$392.56 · 82% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
CeraVe vs Avène routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Cleanance Cleansing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$24.99
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
A$42.00
-
Moisturizer
Hyaluron Activ B3 Concentrated Plumping Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$53.99
-
SPF
Cleanance
Morning
A$24.99
-
Pre-Cleanser
Pyunkang Yul Deep Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
A$30.99
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
A$29.90
-
Serum or Treatment
Vitamin Activ Cg Radiance Concentrated Serum
Evening · Once a week
A$45.39
-
Enzyme Powder
FANCL Facial Washing Powder
Once a week
A$35.50
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
A$118.35
-
Cleanser
Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$13.99
-
Hydrating Toner
Hydrating Toner
Morning · Once a week
A$28.55
-
Moisturizer
Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$28.99
-
SPF
Daily Moisturizing Lotion
Morning
A$19.39
-
Pre-Cleanser
Makeup Removing Cleanser Balm
Evening · Once a week
A$31.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
A$29.90
-
Serum or Treatment
Resurfacing Retinol Serum
Evening · Once a week
A$41.49
-
Enzyme Powder
FANCL Facial Washing Powder
Once a week
A$35.50
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
A$118.35
Buy Avène routine · A$381.11 · 87% fit
Buy CeraVe routine · A$347.16 · 85% fitSee multi-brand routine · 95% fit
Questions and answers
CeraVe or Avène: which is better?
CeraVe and Avène are both great brands, with CeraVe winning on price, texture, hydration, and acne control, while Avène does better at soothing redness and sensitivity. For the products on this page, CeraVe fits dry sensitive skin at a High level and Avène at an Average level.
What is the difference between CeraVe and Avène?
CeraVe and Avène both provide equal routine fit levels across all skin types except dry sensitive skin, where Lovi rates CeraVe High and Avène Average, and oily acne-prone skin, where Lovi rates Avène Superior and CeraVe High. Reviewers note that CeraVe does better for texture and absorption, hydration and moisture, acne control, and value, while Avène does better for soothing redness and sensitivity.
CeraVe or Avène for dry skin?
Both CeraVe and Avène offer a High routine fit for dry skin on this page. CeraVe features fragrance-free formulas with key ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid to help maintain moisture.
CeraVe or Avène: which cleanser is better?
CeraVe offers products on this page with superior fit levels for cleansers across multiple skin types compared to Avène.
Which is more affordable, CeraVe or Avène?
CeraVe is more affordable than Avène according to the review themes on this page.
CeraVe or Avène: which is better for redness and soothing sensitivity?
Avene does better for redness and soothing sensitivity according to the review themes on this page.
CeraVe or Avène: which brand has entirely fragrance-free products?
CeraVe has entirely fragrance-free products, as every product on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas Avène includes fragrance in several of its formulas.
CeraVe or Avène: which offers better routine fit for dry sensitive skin?
CeraVe offers a better routine fit for dry sensitive skin, with Lovi fit levels reaching High compared to Avène at Average. The products on this page help support barrier repair with ingredients like ceramides.
CeraVe or Avène for oily skin?
Both CeraVe and Avène offer products that help manage oily skin, with routine fits on this page rated High for both brands. Reviewers note that CeraVe provides effective cleansers for oil, while Avène also offers strong options for oily skin.
CeraVe or Avène: which moisturizer is better?
CeraVe is better for moisturizers on this page, as reviewers mention it offers superior healing, texture, and lightweight, non-greasy formulas. Additionally, every moisturizer on the CeraVe page lists no fragrance in its ingredients.
CeraVe or Avène for sensitive skin?
Both CeraVe and Avène offer products that are well-suited for sensitive skin, with Lovi fit levels reaching High for both brands on this page. CeraVe features entirely fragrance-free options across the products on this page, whereas Avène includes fragrance in several formulations.
CeraVe or Avène: which sunscreen is better?
Both CeraVe and Avène offer sunscreens on this page, and CeraVe achieves a High fit for oily skin while Avène achieves a Superior fit for oily skin.
CeraVe or Avène for acne-prone skin?
Both CeraVe and Avène offer products on this page that are well-suited for acne-prone skin, providing options like the Blemish Control Cleanser and Cleanance sun protection. Review themes indicate that CeraVe does better for acne control and clearing on this page.
Research behind their key ingredients
Molecular basis of retinol anti-ageing properties in naturally aged human skin in vivo
Topical palmitoyl pentapeptide provides improvement in photoaged human facial skin
Encapsulation and controlled release of retinol from silicone particles for topical delivery
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
Comparative benefit of two thermal spring waters after photodynamic therapy procedure
Comparison of methods for assessing photoprotection against ultraviolet A in vivo
Nanocomplex of quaternized cyclodextrin grafted chitosan and hyaluronic acid for a skin delivery
Treatment with Ascorbyl Glucoside-Arginine Complex Ameliorates Solar Lentigos
Targeting Circadian Rhythm for the Regulation of Skin Collagen Metabolism
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
-

Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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