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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 two skincare brands known for their gentle and protective formulas. The American brand CeraVe, founded in 2005, offers thoughtful moisturizers, cleansers, serums, and sunscreens formulated with hyaluronic acid and glycerin, suiting dry and acne-prone skin best. Meanwhile, the French brand Avène, founded in 1990, features soothing cleansers, moisturizers, protective sunscreens, and targeted serums formulated with glycerin, suiting oily acne-prone and combination skin best. They differ primarily in their exact product ranges, specific standout solutions, and whether they pair glycerin with hyaluronic acid.

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 · CA$163.70 · 90% fitBuy Avène routine · CA$265.85 · 76% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

CeraVe vs Avène routines for oily skin

Buy Avène routine · CA$307.37 · 86% fitBuy CeraVe routine · CA$276.56 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

CeraVe vs Avène routines for combination skin

Buy Avène routine · CA$393.55 · 88% fitBuy CeraVe routine · CA$228.68 · 86% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

CeraVe or Avène: which is better?

CeraVe is better for hydration, texture, and acne control, while Avène does better at soothing redness and sensitivity. CeraVe achieves a Superior routine fit for dry skin, whereas Avène reaches a High fit.

What is the difference between CeraVe and Avène?

CeraVe has a Superior fit for dry skin, while Avène has a High fit. CeraVe features fragrance-free products on this page, whereas several Avène products list fragrance.

CeraVe or Avène for dry skin?

CeraVe is a better choice for dry skin because Lovi rates its routine fit as Superior, compared to High for Avène. The products on this page for CeraVe also feature a ceramide-dominant barrier repair lipid blend that helps alleviate dryness.

CeraVe or Avène: which cleanser is better?

When it comes to cleansers, CeraVe is generally better for oily and acne-prone skin, while Avène also offers gentle options for daily cleansing. Reviewers note that the products on this page for CeraVe help provide effective acne control and gentle, non-stripping cleansing.

Which is more affordable, CeraVe or Avène?

CeraVe does better than Avène for value and price on the products on this page.

CeraVe or Avène: which brand has more fragrance-free products?

CeraVe has more fragrance-free products since every single product on its page lists no fragrance, whereas nearly half of the products on Avène's page include fragrance.

Which brand performs better for dry sensitive skin?

CeraVe performs better for dry sensitive skin, with Lovi rating its routine fit as High compared to Avène at Average. CeraVe products on this page list no fragrance, whereas nearly half of Avène products list fragrance.

CeraVe or Avène: which brand is better for soothing redness and sensitivity?

Avene does better for soothing redness and sensitivity, as shown in the review themes on this page. For dry sensitive skin, Lovi rates CeraVe High and Avene Average.

CeraVe or Avène for oily skin?

Both CeraVe and Avène offer a High routine fit for oily skin. CeraVe achieves this with fragrance-free options like its Foaming Facial Cleanser, which helps control oil as stated on the products on this page.

CeraVe or Avène: which moisturizer is better?

CeraVe has a Superior Lovi fit for dry skin, while Avène has a High fit. Reviewers mention that CeraVe offers better deep hydration and lightweight, non-greasy moisturizers.

CeraVe or Avène for sensitive skin?

Both CeraVe and Avène offer products that are well-suited for sensitive skin, with Lovi giving the products on this page a High fit level for both brands. CeraVe features fragrance-free formulas across all its products, while Avène includes fragrance in several of its items.

CeraVe or Avène: which sunscreen is better?

CeraVe offers better sunscreens on this page, with the Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen achieving a Superior fit level for mature and dry skin, whereas Avène sunscreens range from Low to Superior depending on the product.

CeraVe or Avène for acne-prone skin?

CeraVe achieves a High fit level for acne-prone skin, with Avène also offering a High fit for the routine. The products on this page help provide gentle oil control and effective cleansing without added fragrance.

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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