Avène vs Galderma
Avène and Galderma are established dermatological skincare houses founded in France in 1990 and Switzerland in 1981, respectively. The French brand offers rich moisturizers, reliable sunscreens, targeted serums, gentle cleansers, and hydrating glycerin, while the Swiss brand provides specialized serums. Both labels suit oily and acne-prone skin best, though the former utilizes science-backed formulations for calm complexions, and the latter features top-rated topical gels.
Avène is a French skincare brand founded in 1990 and owned by Fondation Pierre Fabre.
pierre-fabre.comavene.co.ukaveneusa.com
Galderma is a Swiss skincare brand founded in 1981 and owned by Galderma Group AG.
This page compares some of the most popular Avène and Galderma products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Avène vs Galderma products
People Say
Galderma positive results and clearing Not notedMostly Mentioned
- “cleared up my skin — Galderma Benzac AC Mild Strength 2.5% Acne Gel”
- “cystic acne gone — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
- “stops new pimples — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
Gentle and non-stripping formulation Mostly 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”
Texture and finish Mostly MentionedNot noted
- “Thick but absorbs well eventually — Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream”
- “absorbs very quickly — Avène Vitamin Activ Cg Radiance Concentrated Serum”
- “lathers really well — Avène Cleanance”
Soothes irritation and redness 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”
- “Leaves my skin feeling soft and hydrated. — Avène Milk Cleanser”
Deeply hydrating and moisturizing Often MentionedNot noted
- “Restores moisture barrier — Avène Cold Cream”
- “Leaves my skin feeling soft and hydrated. — Avène Milk Cleanser”
- “intensely hydrated — Avène Hyaluron Activ B3 Concentrated Plumping Serum”
Galderma acne treatment and purging Not notedMostly Mentioned
- “face on fire — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
Avène vs Galderma routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$19.99
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Hydrating Toner
Pyunkang Yul Calming Deep Moisture Toner
Morning
$16.99
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Moisturizer
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Enrich Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$22.00
-
SPF
d'Alba Piedmont Waterfull Mild Sunscreen
Morning
$15.99
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Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
$21.70
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Serum or Treatment
Epiduo Gel
Evening · Once a week
$34.97
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Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
$22.00
-
Cleanser
Cleanance Cleansing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$23.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Pyunkang Yul Calming Deep Moisture Toner
Morning
$16.99
-
Moisturizer
Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$40.00
-
SPF
Ultra Fluid
Morning
$36.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
$21.70
-
Serum or Treatment
Vitamin Activ Cg Radiance Concentrated Serum
Evening · Once a week
$48.00
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
$22.00
Buy Galderma routine · $153.64 · 90% fit
Buy Avène routine · $207.69 · 76% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit
Avène vs Galderma routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$15.97
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
$15.60
-
Moisturizer
COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$18.99
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SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
$14.97
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Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
$50.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Pixi Glow Tonic
Evening
$28.42
-
Serum or Treatment
Epiduo Gel
Evening · Once a week
$34.97
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
$69.00
-
Cleansing Mask
Revision Skincare Black Mask
Once a week
$79.00
-
Cleanser
Cleanance Cleansing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$23.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
$15.60
-
Moisturizer
Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$40.00
-
SPF
Cleanance
Morning
$24.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
$50.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Pixi Glow Tonic
Evening
$28.42
-
Serum or Treatment
Vitamin Activ Cg Radiance Concentrated Serum
Evening · Once a week
$48.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
$69.00
-
Cleansing Mask
Revision Skincare Black Mask
Once a week
$79.00
Buy Galderma routine · $326.92 · 96% fit
Buy Avène routine · $377.02 · 85% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit
Avène vs Galderma routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$28.08
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
$25.60
-
Moisturizer
COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$18.99
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
$14.97
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
$50.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
$18.90
-
Serum or Treatment
Epiduo Gel
Evening · Once a week
$34.97
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
$69.00
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
$58.00
-
Cleanser
Cleanance Cleansing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$23.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
$25.60
-
Moisturizer
Hyaluron Activ B3 Concentrated Plumping Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$42.00
-
SPF
Cleanance
Morning
$24.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
$50.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
$18.90
-
Serum or Treatment
Vitamin Activ Cg Radiance Concentrated Serum
Evening · Once a week
$48.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
$69.00
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
$58.00
Buy Galderma routine · $318.51 · 94% fit
Buy Avène routine · $358.50 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Questions and answers
Avène or Galderma: which is better?
Avène is better for gentle, soothing care across the products on this page, while Galderma offers superior acne-clearing serums.
What is the difference between Avène and Galderma?
Avène and Galderma differ mainly in their formulation focus and skin feel, as Avène is known for gentle, soothing care featuring thermal water and glycerin, while Galderma specializes in powerful acne-clearing serums that may cause dryness and purging. Lovi rates Avène with a High routine fit for dry skin, whereas Galderma achieves a Superior routine fit for the same skin type.
Avène or Galderma for dry skin?
Galderma has a Superior Lovi fit level for dry skin, while Avène has a High Lovi fit level. Reviewers note that Galderma brings effective acne-clearing serums, though users may experience severe dryness and peeling. Avène is often noted for soothing irritation and providing deep hydration.
Which is more affordable, Avène or Galderma?
Reviewers note that price point is a factor for Avene, while Galderma does not have pricing information mentioned on this page.
How do the founding years and countries of origin compare between Avène and Galderma?
Avène was founded in France in 1990, while Galderma was founded in Switzerland in 1981.
Which brand has more fragrance-free products, Avène or Galderma?
Galderma has more fragrance-free products on this page, as every single one of its listed products is formulated without fragrance, whereas Avène includes fragrance in nearly half of its products.
What do reviewers say about the side effects of Galderma versus Avène?
Reviewers note that Galderma products may cause severe dryness, peeling, irritation, and discomfort. In contrast, reviewers find Avène formulations to be gentle and non-stripping.
Avène or Galderma for oily skin?
For oily skin, Galderma has a Superior Lovi fit level while Avène has a High Lovi fit level. Galderma is known for effective acne-clearing serums, whereas Avène offers effective oil control and gentle sunscreens.
Avène or Galderma for sensitive skin?
Avène and Galderma both achieve a High fit level on Lovi for sensitive skin. Avène is often noted by reviewers for soothing irritation and offering gentle, non-stripping formulations, while Galderma products on this page list no fragrance.
Avène or Galderma for acne-prone skin?
For acne-prone skin, Avène has an overall Lovi fit level of High, while Galderma reaches a Superior level. Galderma is noted for effective acne-clearing serums, although reviewers also report that it may cause severe dryness and peeling. Avène helps soothe irritation and offers gentle formulations that are unlikely to strip the skin.
Research behind their key ingredients
Molecular basis of retinol anti-ageing properties in naturally aged human skin in vivo
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
Treatment with Ascorbyl Glucoside-Arginine Complex Ameliorates Solar Lentigos
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
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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