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Avène vs Clarins

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes · How the Fit score works

Avène and Clarins are French skincare brands that offer rich moisturizers, gentle cleansers, sunscreens, and serums formulated with glycerin, shea, and squalane. The former suits oily and acne-prone skin best, relying on science-backed formulas and standout products like the Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm, while the latter suits sensitive and dry skin best with nourishing treatments such as the Double Serum Light Texture. Ultimately, both brands differ in their founding heritages and specific ingredient benefits, yet each ensures a calm, balanced complexion.

Avène is a French skincare brand founded in 1990 and owned by Fondation Pierre Fabre.

pierre-fabre.comavene.co.ukaveneusa.com

Clarins is a French skincare brand founded in 1954 and owned by Famille C (Groupe Clarins).

groupeclarins.comen.wikipedia.orghappi.com

This page compares some of the most popular Avène and Clarins products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Avène vs Clarins products

People Say

AvèneClarins
  • Texture and Absorption Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “absorbs immediately — Clarins Double Serum Eye”
    • “sinks in immediately — Clarins Double Serum Light Texture”
    • “melting non-oily texture — Clarins Extra-Firming Neck & Décolleté Cream”
    • “Thick but absorbs well eventually — Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream”
  • Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin drinks it up — Clarins Double Serum”
    • “keeps skin moist — Clarins Multi-Active Jour”
    • “woke up with baby soft skin — Clarins Multi-Active Nuit”
    • “Restores moisture barrier — Avène Cold Cream”
  • Gentle and Non-Stripping Cleansing Often MentionedNot noted
    • “leaves face clean but not dry — Avène Cleanance”
    • “Perfect cleanser for sensitive skin. — Avène Milk Cleanser”
    • “Squeaky clean but soft — Avène Cleanance Cleansing Gel”
  • Skin Soothing and Calmness Often MentionedRarely 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”
    • “no irritation at all — Avène Hydrance+”
    • “calms my skin — Clarins Hydrating Toning Lotion”
  • Dewy and Glowing Finish Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “skin looks brighter immediately — Clarins Cryo-Flash Cream-Mask”
    • “Gives off the most stunning natural radiance I've ever come across. — Clarins Beauty Flash Balm”
    • “gives a healthy morning glow — Clarins Multi-Active Nuit”
    • “immediate radiance boost — Avène Vitamin Activ Cg Radiance Concentrated Serum”
  • Strong Fragrance and Scent Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “The fragrance is very present. — Avène Milk Cleanser”
    • “smell is too strong — Avène Cleanance”
    • “Smells like grandma — Avène Cold Cream”
    • “smells like perfume — Clarins Multi-Active Jour”
  • High Price Point and Value 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 — Clarins Double Serum”
  • Packaging and Design Issues Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “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”
    • “dispenses too much product — Clarins Total Eye Lift”
  • Formula Changes and Discontinuation Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “bring it back — Avène Antirougeurs Fort Relief Concentrate”
    • “They have changed the formula recently, and it... is not as good. — Avène Milk Cleanser”
    • “New formulation has been met with widespread disappointment. — Clarins Beauty Flash Balm”
    • “miss the old yellow toner — Clarins Hydrating Toning Lotion”

Avène vs Clarins routines for dry skin

Buy Clarins routine · $250.04 · 77% fitBuy Avène routine · $207.69 · 76% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Avène vs Clarins routines for oily skin

Buy Avène routine · $377.02 · 85% fitBuy Clarins routine · $434.07 · 71% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Avène vs Clarins routines for combination skin

Buy Avène routine · $358.50 · 88% fitBuy Clarins routine · $413.07 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

Avène or Clarins: which is better?

Both brands are great choices depending on your specific skin type, with Avène offering a Superior fit for oily acne-prone skin and Clarins providing a High fit for dry sensitive skin. Reviewers note that the products on this page by Clarins are favored for their luxurious textures and deep hydration, while Avène is frequently praised for soothing irritation and gentle cleansing.

What is the difference between Avène and Clarins?

Avène and Clarins differ mainly in their focus, formulations, and skin fit, with Avène featuring a superior routine fit for oily acne-prone skin and Clarins achieving a high routine fit for dry sensitive skin. Reviewers note that Avène excels in gentle cleansing and soothing irritation, while Clarins stands out for its luxurious textures and hydration. Additionally, most products on this page for Avène are fragrance-free, whereas almost all Clarins products on this page include fragrance.

Avène or Clarins for dry skin?

Both Avène and Clarins have a High routine fit level for dry skin, making them strong options depending on your preference for French skincare. Lovi shows that the products on this page from Clarins feature luxurious textures and deeply hydrating moisturizers, whereas Avène stands out for soothing irritation and offering fragrance-free alternatives.

Avène or Clarins: which cleanser is better?

Avène is better for gentle, non-stripping cleansing, as the products on this page receive top marks for providing a gentle deep clean that soothes irritation. Reviewers note that Avène excels specifically in gentle and non-stripping cleansing compared to Clarins.

Which is more affordable, Avène or Clarins?

Reviewers note that Avène has a high price point as a negative theme, while Clarins also faces complaints of a high price point.

Between Avène and Clarins, which brand has better fragrance-free options?

Avène provides better fragrance-free options because nearly half of the products on this page list no fragrance, whereas Clarins has only one such product.

How do the founding years and corporate owners of Avène and Clarins compare?

Avène was founded in 1990 in France and is owned by Fondation Pierre Fabre, whereas Clarins was founded earlier in 1954 in France and is owned by Famille C through Groupe Clarins.

Which brand performs better for dry sensitive skin and oily acne-prone skin?

Clarins achieves a High Lovi fit for dry sensitive skin on this page, whereas Avène achieves an Average fit. For oily acne-prone skin, Avène reaches a Superior Lovi fit, while Clarins achieves a High fit.

Avène or Clarins for oily skin?

Avène is better suited for oily skin, as Lovi rates the routine fit for oily skin as High for Avène and Average for Clarins. Reviewers also note that the products on this page help provide effective oil control.

Avène or Clarins: which moisturizer is better?

Both Avène and Clarins offer excellent moisturizers on this page, with Avène achieving a High routine fit for dry skin and Clarins also reaching a High fit level. Reviewers mention that Avène provides soothing care while Clarins delivers luxurious and hydrating textures.

Avène or Clarins for sensitive skin?

Both Avène and Clarins achieve a High fit level on Lovi for sensitive skin. Reviewers note that Avène helps soothe irritation and provides gentle cleansing, while Clarins offers luxurious textures and hydrating moisturizers.

Avène or Clarins for acne-prone skin?

Both Avène and Clarins offer a High routine fit for acne-prone skin, with the products on this page providing effective options for blemishes. Avène is often noted for soothing irritation and gentle deep cleaning, while Clarins brings luxurious textures and hydration.

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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