🇩🇪Germany

COSRX vs Avène

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

COSRX and Avène are a Korean skincare brand founded in 2013 and a French skincare brand founded in 1990, respectively. The former is dearly loved for its expertly formulated serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and masks that thoughtfully incorporate hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide, while the latter is loved for its gentle moisturizers, protective sunscreens, targeted serums, and soothing cleansers all formulated with glycerin. Both brands suit oily acne-prone skin best, though the Korean brand also suits oily skin and the French brand suits combination skin. They differ in their specific formulations, key ingredients, and their parent organizations, with the Korean brand owned by Amorepacific Group and the French brand owned by Fondation Pierre Fabre.

COSRX is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2013 and owned by Amorepacific Group since 2024.

koreajoongangdaily.combeautymatter.comprnewswire.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 COSRX and Avène products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular COSRX vs Avène products

People Say

COSRXAvène
  • Gentle and Non-Stripping Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “No stinging or irritation — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “extremely gentle — COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner”
    • “leaves face clean but not dry — Avène Cleanance”
    • “Perfect cleanser for sensitive skin. — Avène Milk Cleanser”
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “skin drinks it up — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “woke up with soft, supple skin — COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream”
    • “gives a healthy glow — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
    • “Restores moisture barrier — Avène Cold Cream”
  • Lightweight and Fast Absorption Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “absorbs instantly like water — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
    • “sinks in immediately — COSRX Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream”
    • “absorbs practically immediately — COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)”
    • “absorbs very quickly — Avène Vitamin Activ Cg Radiance Concentrated Serum”
  • Skin Texture and Smoothing Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “gives me that glass skin look — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “skin feels softer immediately — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
    • “Skin feels like glass — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “I've noticed a definite improvement in the fine lines around my eyes — Avène RetrinAL EYES”
  • Soothing and Calming Sometimes 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”
    • “calms down my redness — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
  • Acne and Pores Control Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “helped to improve my acne after only 2 weeks — COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser”
    • “cleared up my spots — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
    • “Melted blackheads right off — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “Cleared my cystic acne — Avène Cleanance Cleansing Gel”
  • Unpleasant Texture and Finish Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “texture is gooey and stringy — COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream”
    • “too slimy and sticky — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “Tube squirted water everywhere — Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream”
    • “Leaves a greasy film — Avène Cold Cream”
  • Strong Scent or Fragrance Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “smells like chemicals — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
    • “smells like onions — COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
    • “smells like tea tree/medicinal — COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)”
    • “The fragrance is very present. — Avène Milk Cleanser”
  • Packaging Issues and Size 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”
    • “only 20mls... significantly less product — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”

COSRX vs Avène routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

COSRX vs Avène routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

COSRX vs Avène routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

COSRX or Avène: which is better?

COSRX offers superior fit levels for oily, sensitive, and acne-prone skin types compared to Avène, alongside wider benefits in hydration and texture. Both brands provide high routine fits for dry, combination, mature, and dark spot skin.

What is the difference between COSRX and Avène?

COSRX offers superior fit levels for oily, sensitive, and acne-prone skin types, while Avène provides high fit levels for those same categories. The products on this page show that COSRX excels in hydration, lightweight absorption, and acne control, whereas Avène is particularly noted for soothing irritation.

COSRX or Avène for dry skin?

COSRX and Avène both offer a high routine fit for dry skin, making either brand a strong choice depending on your product preferences. COSRX products on this page frequently feature hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which helps improve skin moisture and quality.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

COSRX or Avène: which cleanser is better?

COSRX is better for cleansers, as the products on this page achieve a Superior fit for sensitive and acne-prone skin while Avène cleansers are generally rated Average or lower for those skin types.

Which is more affordable, COSRX or Avène?

The provided page facts do not mention the prices of COSRX or Avène products, so it is not possible to determine which brand is more affordable.

Between COSRX and Avène, which brand has better options for soothing and calming irritated skin?

Avène does better than COSRX for soothing and calming irritated skin.

How do the fragrance profiles of COSRX and Avène products compare across their ranges?

The products on this page show that COSRX has a much lower rate of added fragrance than Avène, with nearly all COSRX items listing no fragrance. In contrast, about half of the Avène products on this page include fragrance.

Which brand performs better for dry sensitive skin according to the Lovi fit levels?

COSRX performs better for dry sensitive skin, with a High Lovi fit level compared to Avène's Average fit level.

COSRX or Avène for oily skin?

For oily skin, COSRX has a Superior routine fit while Avène has a High routine fit. The products on this page for COSRX help with lightweight absorption, effective acne control, and oil management.

COSRX or Avène: which moisturizer is better?

COSRX offers better moisturizers than Avène for hydration, with a Lovi fit level that is Superior for sensitive and acne-prone skin, while Avène provides a High fit for those skin types. Reviewers note that COSRX products on this page provide deep hydration and moisturization with lightweight absorption.

COSRX or Avène for sensitive skin?

COSRX has a Superior fit for sensitive skin, while Avène has a High fit. Reviewers note that COSRX provides better hydration and lightweight absorption, whereas Avène helps soothe irritation.

COSRX or Avène: which sunscreen is better?

COSRX is better for sunscreen as the products on this page achieve a Superior fit for acne-prone skin with options like the Ultra-Light Invisible Sunscreen, whereas Avène sunscreens generally fit sensitive or oily skin at a lower level.

COSRX or Avène for acne-prone skin?

COSRX is a Superior fit for acne-prone skin, whereas Avène is a High fit. Reviewers note that COSRX helps with effective acne control and clearing, and the products on this page feature key ingredients like snail mucin and centella asiatica.

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?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play