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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 distinct skincare names originating from France and Japan respectively, each offering specialized formulations for different complexions. Avène features gentle moisturizers, protective sunscreens, targeted serums, and soothing cleansers formulated with glycerin that suit oily acne-prone skin and combination skin best. Conversely, SK-II provides luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, soothing masks, and refreshing toners anchored by pitera that suit dry skin and combination skin best. Ultimately, while both care for combination skin, the French brand relies on glycerin to improve hydration and restore barrier function, whereas the Japanese brand uses pitera to help improve pore area, roughness, and redness.

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 · CA$783.50 · 93% fitBuy Avène routine · CA$265.85 · 76% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Avène vs SK-II routines for oily skin

Buy SK-II routine · CA$1,101.33 · 91% fitBuy Avène routine · CA$307.37 · 86% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Avène vs SK-II routines for combination skin

Buy SK-II routine · CA$1,065.33 · 93% fitBuy Avène routine · CA$393.55 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Avène or SK-II: which is better?

Both brands offer great options, but they serve different needs since Avène focuses on gentle, soothing formulas with ingredients like glycerin while SK-II leans toward texture and radiance with its signature Pitera. For routine fit on this page, Avène has a High fit for dry skin while SK-II has a Superior fit.

What is the difference between Avène and SK-II?

Avene features products on this page that focus on gentle soothing and barrier repair, while SK-II offers options focused on texture, absorption, and radiance. Glycerin helps provide moisture across the products on this page.

Avène or SK-II for dry skin?

For dry skin, both Avène and SK-II are good choices, as Lovi rates Avène's routine fit as High and SK-II's as Superior. Reviewers note that SK-II is better for texture and absorption, while Avène is better for soothing skin and gentle formulation.

Avène or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

SK-II has a Superior routine fit for dry skin, whereas Avène has a High fit for its moisturizers on this page. SK-II products on this page list no fragrance, while some Avène moisturizers contain fragrance which may cause sensitivity. Glycerin in Avène moisturizers helps support the skin barrier.

Which is more affordable, Avène or SK-II?

Price and cost concerns are noted more often for Avène on this page, but a direct comparison of affordability is not provided.

Between Avène and SK-II, which brand performs better for texture and absorption according to reviewers?

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

How do the founding countries and parent companies of Avène and SK-II differ?

Avène was founded in 1990 in France and is owned by Fondation Pierre Fabre, whereas SK-II was founded in 1980 in Japan and has been owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991.

Which brand has more products listed without fragrance, Avène or SK-II?

SK-II has more products listed without fragrance, as every product on its page lists no fragrance. Avène has 7 of its 15 products on this page that list no fragrance.

Avène or SK-II for oily skin?

For oily skin, Lovi rates both Avène and SK-II as having a Superior routine fit. Reviewers note that Avène provides effective oil control, while SK-II uses fragrance-free formulas across the products on this page.

Avène or SK-II for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, both Avène and SK-II achieve a High Lovi fit level on this page. Avène products on this page often soothe irritation, while SK-II lists no fragrance across every product.

Avène or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, Avène products on this page have a High routine fit, and SK-II products have a Superior routine fit according to Lovi.

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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