Medicube vs Avène
Medicube and Avène are skincare brands that offer thoughtful moisturizers, serums, toners, masks, sunscreens, and cleansers, using key ingredients like niacinamide, collagen, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin. The Korean brand, founded in 2016, suits dry skin and oily acne-prone skin best with products like the AGE-R Booster Gel, Deep Peptide Radiance Mask, and Deep Lifting Peptide Eye Cream, while the French brand, founded in 1990, suits oily acne-prone skin and acne-prone skin best with items like the Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm, Cleanance, and Hyaluron Activ B3 Concentrated Plumping Serum. Both differ primarily in their specific targeted formulations and regional origins, yet each brand delivers profound results to ensure a calm and balanced complexion.
Medicube is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2016 and owned by APR Corp..
medicubereviews.co.ukglossy.co
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 Medicube and Avène products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Medicube vs Avène products
People Say
Soothing and Gentle Formulation Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “Calmed my angry red skin overnight — Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream”
- “leaves face clean but not dry — Avène Cleanance”
- “Nothing has ever worked to soothe or heal my skin like these before. — Avène Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm”
- “refreshing sensation — Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Gel Mask”
Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
- “skin feels bouncier and hydrated — Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum”
- “glass skin — Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Gel Mask”
- “woke up with baby soft skin — Medicube Collagen Jelly Cream”
- “Restores moisture barrier — Avène Cold Cream”
Skin Texture and Smoothing Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “gives my skin a smooth, glass-like finish — Medicube Zero Pore Pad”
- “skin feels smoother — Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum”
- “skin feels baby soft — Medicube Zero Pore Blackhead Mud Mask”
- “I've noticed a definite improvement in the fine lines around my eyes — Avène RetrinAL EYES”
Glow and Radiance Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “gave me instant glass skin — Medicube Collagen Jelly Cream”
- “woke up with glowing skin — Medicube Collagen Night Wrapping Mask”
- “Dark spots go away faster — Medicube Deep Vita C Pad”
- “immediate radiance boost — Avène Vitamin Activ Cg Radiance Concentrated Serum”
Pores and Oil Control Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “Pores drastically reduced — Medicube Zero Foam Cleanser”
- “noticed a real difference in pore visibility — Medicube Zero Pore Pad”
- “Keeps me matte for hours — Avène Cleanance Cleansing Gel”
- “keeps skin matte — Avène Cleanance”
Breakouts and Irritation Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “caused redness and sensitivity — Medicube Zero Pore Pad”
- “woke up with whiteheads — Medicube Collagen Night Wrapping Mask”
- “Woke up with tiny whiteheads all over — Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream”
- “Caused small bumps/texture — Avène Soothing Radiance Mask”
Strong Fragrance and Scent Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “slightly fishy smell — Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum”
- “smells like old lady perfume — Medicube Collagen Jelly Cream”
- “The fragrance is very present. — Avène Milk Cleanser”
- “smell is too strong — Avène Cleanance”
Sticky and Greasy Residue Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “Leaves a greasy film — Avène Cold Cream”
- “sticky kinda feeling — Avène Hyaluron Activ B3 Concentrated Plumping Serum”
- “too shiny — Avène Hydrance+”
- “hair sticks to my face — Medicube Collagen Jelly Cream”
Packaging and Quantity Issues Often MentionedSometimes 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”
- “tube is tiny for the price — Medicube Collagen Night Wrapping Mask”
Product Ineffectiveness and Separation Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
- “didn't remove deep blackheads — Medicube Zero Pore Blackhead Mud Mask”
- “didn't notice any pore improvements — Medicube Zero Pore Pad”
- “didn't feel much help — Medicube Red Succinic Acid Peeling Pad”
- “bring it back — Avène Antirougeurs Fort Relief Concentrate”
Medicube vs Avène routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
Zero Foam Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$29.33
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Hydrating Toner
Triple Collagen Toner
Morning
$18.30
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Moisturizer
AGE-R Booster Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$29.97
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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
One Day Exosome Shot 2000
Evening · Once a week
$19.99
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Nourishing Mask
Collagen Night Wrapping Mask
Once a week
$19.00
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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 Medicube routine · $154.28 · 91% fit
Buy Avène routine · $207.69 · 76% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit
Medicube vs Avène routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
Red Foam Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$14.90
-
Hydrating Toner
Triple Collagen Toner
Morning · Once a week
$18.30
-
Moisturizer
AGE-R Booster Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$29.97
-
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
Zero Pore Pad
Evening
$18.90
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
$69.00
-
Cleansing Mask
Zero Pore Blackhead Mud Mask
Once a week
$18.90
-
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 Medicube routine · $234.94 · 88% fit
Buy Avène routine · $377.02 · 85% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit
Medicube vs Avène routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Red Foam Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$14.90
-
Hydrating Toner
Triple Collagen Toner
Morning · Once a week
$18.30
-
Moisturizer
AGE-R Booster Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$29.97
-
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
Zero Pore Pad
Evening
$18.90
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
$69.00
-
Cleansing Mask
Zero Pore Blackhead Mud Mask
Once a week
$18.90
-
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 Medicube routine · $234.94 · 88% fit
Buy Avène routine · $358.50 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Questions and answers
Medicube or Avène: which is better?
Medicube is better for deep hydration and radiance, while Avène is better for gentle, soothing care, with both brands offering strong options depending on your specific skin type and goals. Niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and suppresses melanosome transfer.
What is the difference between Medicube and Avène?
Medicube helps deliver deep hydration and smoothing for a radiant glow, whereas Avène focuses on gentle, soothing formulations. Medicube achieves a Superior fit level for dry skin routines, while Avène reaches a Superior fit level for oily acne-prone skin routines.
Medicube or Avène for dry skin?
Medicube is a better fit for dry skin, offering superior routine performance compared to Avène's high rating on this page. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.
Medicube or Avène: which cleanser is better?
Medicube fits dry skin, sensitive skin, oily acne-prone skin, and oily skin with a High level for the Zero Foam Cleanser and Red Foam Cleanser, while Avène fits sensitive skin with a High level and oily acne-prone skin and oily skin with a High level for the Cleanance Cleansing Gel. Both brands offer gentle and effective deep-cleaning options, but Medicube features a wider range of high fit levels across various skin types.
Which is more affordable, Medicube or Avène?
The products on this page do not feature pricing details to determine which brand is more affordable.
Between Medicube and Avène, which brand is better suited for oily acne-prone skin?
Avène is better suited for oily acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates its routine as Superior for this skin type while Medicube has a High fit level.
How do the fragrance inclusions compare across Medicube and Avène products?
Medicube offers significantly fewer fragranced options, with only 2 out of 25 products on this page containing fragrance, compared to Avène where 8 out of 15 products include it.
Which brand performs better for hydration and moisture according to review themes?
According to the review themes on this page, Medicube performs better than Avène for hydration and moisture, featuring deeply hydrating moisturizers among its most mentioned reviewer benefits.
Medicube or Avène for oily skin?
Both brands are great options for oily skin, as Lovi rates both Medicube and Avène as High for this skin type. Medicube stands out for skin texture and glowing radiance, whereas Avène is known for gentle, non-stripping sunscreens and deep-cleaning cleansers.
Medicube or Avène: which moisturizer is better?
Medicube is generally better for deep hydration and radiance, offering moisturizers like the Collagen Jelly Cream, while Avène is typically better for soothing sensitive skin, featuring options like the Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm. Collagen helps improve skin aging, and niacinamide may help reduce pigmentation.
Dermatology Practical & Conceptual, 2022The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002
Medicube or Avène for sensitive skin?
Both brands are a High fit for sensitive skin on Lovi. Medicube offers deeper hydration and a radiant glow with mostly fragrance-free formulas, while Avène focuses on soothing irritation and gentle cleansers.
Medicube or Avène for acne-prone skin?
Both Medicube and Avène are good options for acne-prone skin, as the products on this page for both brands fit this skin type at a High level. Medicube is founded in South Korea and uses key ingredients like salicylic acid and niacinamide, while Avène is founded in France and relies on thermal water and glycerin. For targeting skin aging and pigmentation, niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and control skin aging.
Research behind their key ingredients
Topical palmitoyl pentapeptide provides improvement in photoaged human facial skin
Molecular basis of retinol anti-ageing properties in naturally aged human skin in vivo
Apigenin inhibits UVA-induced cytotoxicity in vitro and prevents signs of skin aging in vivo
Effect of Camellia japonica oil on human type I procollagen production and skin barrier function
Protective effects of Camellia japonica flower extract against urban air pollutants
Microneedling by dermapen and glycolic acid peel for the treatment of acne scars: Comparative study
A comparative study of gluconolactone versus benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of acne
An oil-soluble extract of Rubus idaeus cells enhances hydration and water homeostasis in skin cells
The synergistic effect of retinyl propionate and hydroxypinacolone retinoate on skin aging
Comparative benefit of two thermal spring waters after photodynamic therapy procedure
Supramolecular collagen nanoparticles for anti-wrinkle, skin whitening, and moisturizing effects
Comparison of methods for assessing photoprotection against ultraviolet A in vivo
The anti wrinkle efficacy of synthetic hexapeptide (Argireline) in Chinese Subjects
Functional properties and skin care effects of sodium trehalose sulfate
Composition characterization and clinical efficacy study of a salmon egg extract
Anti-Aging Efficacy of Low-Molecular-Weight Polydeoxyribonucleotide Derived from Paeonia lactiflora
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
-

Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-

Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-

Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-

Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-

Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-

Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-

Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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