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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 trusted skincare brands that cater to different complexion needs through science-backed formulations. The American brand is known for dependable moisturizers, gentle cleansers, targeted serums, and protective sunscreens enriched with hyaluronic acid and glycerin, making its products suit mature skin and dry skin best. Meanwhile, the French brand is universally loved for its rich moisturizers, reliable sunscreens, targeted serums, gentle cleansers, and hydrating glycerin, which suit oily acne-prone skin and acne-prone skin best. Ultimately, both differ primarily in their founding origins and their specific product strengths.

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 · $120.97 · 90% fitBuy Avène routine · $207.69 · 76% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

CeraVe vs Avène routines for oily skin

Buy Avène routine · $377.02 · 85% fitBuy CeraVe routine · $272.57 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit

CeraVe vs Avène routines for combination skin

Buy Avène routine · $358.50 · 88% fitBuy CeraVe routine · $237.98 · 86% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

CeraVe or Avène: which is better?

CeraVe is better for texture, hydration, value, and acne control, while Avène is better for soothing redness and sensitivity based on the products on this page.

What is the difference between CeraVe and Avène?

CeraVe provides a Superior fit level for dry and mature skin on the products on this page, whereas Avène provides a Superior fit level for oily acne-prone skin. CeraVe formulas on this page contain no fragrance, while several Avène products list fragrance. Reviewers note that CeraVe is better for texture and hydration, while Avène is better for soothing redness and sensitivity.

CeraVe or Avène for dry skin?

For dry skin, CeraVe is the better choice because Lovi rates its routine as Superior compared to High for Avène. The products on this page also help provide deep hydration and feature ceramide-dominant barrier repair lipids.

CeraVe or Avène: which cleanser is better?

Both brands offer well-regarded cleansers, but CeraVe achieves a Lovi fit level of Superior for dry skin, dry sensitive skin, and oily acne-prone skin on the products on this page. CeraVe features gentle, non-stripping cleansers with ceramides and hyaluronic acid that help support the skin barrier, while Avène cleansers help soothe irritation.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

Which is more affordable, CeraVe or Avène?

Between CeraVe and Avène, CeraVe does better for value and price across the products on this page.

Between CeraVe and Avène, which brand is better suited for mature skin?

CeraVe is better suited for mature skin, achieving a Superior routine fit compared to Avène's High fit level. The products on this page help support skin barrier repair with ceramide-dominant formulations.

Which brand performs better for soothing redness and sensitivity, CeraVe or Avène?

Avène performs better than CeraVe for soothing redness and sensitivity based on the review themes on this page.

Do CeraVe products contain fragrance, and how does that compare to Avène?

Every product from CeraVe on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients. In contrast, 7 of the 15 Avène products on this page list fragrance.

CeraVe or Avène for oily skin?

For oily skin, CeraVe and Avène offer an equal High routine fit on the products on this page. Reviewers note that CeraVe provides effective cleansers for acne and oil while Avène delivers effective oil control.

CeraVe or Avène: which moisturizer is better?

CeraVe offers better moisturizers overall, as the products on this page achieve a superior routine fit for dry and mature skin compared to Avene. Reviewers also mention that CeraVe provides superior texture and deep hydration with fragrance-free options.

CeraVe or Avène for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, CeraVe and Avène are both good choices because Lovi rates both brands as having a High routine fit. CeraVe offers fragrance-free products on this page, while Avène is frequently noted for soothing redness and sensitivity.

CeraVe or Avène: which sunscreen is better?

CeraVe provides the products on this page with High to Superior fit levels across multiple sunscreens, while Avène includes sunscreens with lower fit levels for several skin types. CeraVe sunscreens are fragrance-free, whereas some Avène sunscreens contain fragrance.

CeraVe or Avène for acne-prone skin?

Both CeraVe and Avène are well-suited for acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates the routine fit for both brands as High. CeraVe features products on this page that help control oil and target blemishes, while Avène offers effective cleansers and concentrates to help clear the skin.

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

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