Avène vs Clarins
Avène and Clarins are French skincare brands that offer distinct approaches for those seeking targeted daily care. Avène is loved for its gentle moisturizers, protective sunscreens, targeted serums, and soothing cleansers formulated with glycerin, making it best suited for oily acne-prone skin and combination skin. Conversely, Clarins is celebrated for its nourishing moisturizers, targeted serums, delicate eye products, and refreshing toners harnessing soothing shea and replenishing squalane, which suit sensitive skin and mature skin best. Ultimately, they differ through their core formulations and targeted skin types, as both deliver specialized solutions ranging from the Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm to the Double Serum Light Texture.
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
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
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Cleanser
Gentle Foaming Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€22.90
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Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Advanced Replenishing Toner
Morning
€34.00
-
Moisturizer
Hydra-Essentiel Silky Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€39.50
-
SPF
Purito Daily Soft Touch Sunscreen
Morning
€12.98
-
Pre-Cleanser
Total Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€19.90
- Serum or Treatment BRIGHT PLUS Evening · Once a week
-
Nourishing Mask
Cryo-Flash Cream-Mask
Once a week
€64.99
-
Cleanser
Cleanance Cleansing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€18.75
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Advanced Replenishing Toner
Morning
€34.00
-
Moisturizer
Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€12.39
-
SPF
Ultra Fluid
Morning
€19.85
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
€10.97
-
Serum or Treatment
Antirougeurs Fort Relief Concentrate
Evening · Once a week
€24.99
-
Nourishing Mask
Abib Rice Probiotics Overnight Mask
Once a week
€15.30
Avène vs Clarins routines for oily skin
-
Cleanser
Cleanance Cleansing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€18.75
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
€36.00
-
Moisturizer
Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€12.39
-
SPF
Cleanance
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€15.19
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€97.52
-
Cleansing Toner
Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Toner
Evening
€16.90
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€48.55
-
Cleansing Mask
VT Cosmetics Cica Purifying Mask
Once a week
€16.79
-
Cleanser
Gentle Foaming Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€22.90
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
€36.00
-
Moisturizer
Double Serum Light Texture
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€77.90
-
SPF
d'Alba UVessence Mild Waterfull Sun Cream SPF 50
Morning
€16.99
-
Pre-Cleanser
Total Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€19.90
-
Cleansing Toner
Purifying Toning Lotion
Evening
€33.90
- Serum or Treatment BRIGHT PLUS Evening · Once a week
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€48.55
-
Cleansing Mask
VT Cosmetics Cica Purifying Mask
Once a week
€16.79
Avène vs Clarins routines for combination skin
-
Cleanser
Cleanance Cleansing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€18.75
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
€36.00
-
Moisturizer
Hyaluron Activ B3 Concentrated Plumping Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€37.99
-
SPF
Cleanance
Morning
€15.19
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€97.52
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
€16.98
-
Serum or Treatment
Vitamin Activ Cg Radiance Concentrated Serum
Evening · Once a week
€33.99
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€48.55
-
Cleansing Mask
Origins Original Skin Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay
Once a week
€28.50
-
Cleanser
Gentle Foaming Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€22.90
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
€36.00
-
Moisturizer
Double Serum Light Texture
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€77.90
-
Pre-Cleanser
Total Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€19.90
-
Cleansing Toner
Purifying Toning Lotion
Evening
€33.90
- Serum or Treatment BRIGHT PLUS Evening · Once a week
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€48.55
-
Cleansing Mask
Origins Original Skin Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay
Once a week
€28.50
Questions and answers
Avène or Clarins: which is better?
When comparing the products on this page, Clarins does better for texture, hydration, and glowing finishes, while Avène excels at gentle cleansing and soothing sensitive skin. Reviewers note that Clarins offers luxurious and fast-absorbing moisturizers, whereas Avène provides reliable oil control for acne-prone skin.
What is the difference between Avène and Clarins?
Avène and Clarins both offer products for various skin types, but Avène fits best for oily acne-prone, combination, and acne-prone skin, while Clarins excels for sensitive, mature, and dry sensitive skin. Reviewers note that Clarins provides luxurious textures and glowing hydration, whereas Avène stands out for soothing irritation and gentle, non-stripping cleansers.
Avène or Clarins for dry skin?
Clarins fits dry skin better than Avène, offering a High routine fit compared to Avène's Average fit level. Reviewers on the page mention that Clarins provides hydrating and smoothing moisturizers as well as luxurious textures.
Avène or Clarins: which cleanser is better?
Avène cleanser products on this page are better for gentle and non-stripping cleansing, while Clarins cleansers do not match that specific benefit. Reviewers mostly mention Avène cleansers for providing a gentle deep clean.
Which is more affordable, Avène or Clarins?
Reviewers note a high price point for both Avène and Clarins products on this page. However, Avène is more frequently discussed for its price point.
Between Avène and Clarins, which brand has a higher percentage of fragrance-free products?
Avène has a higher percentage of fragrance-free products than Clarins among the products on this page. Specifically, 7 out of 15 Avène products list no fragrance, whereas only 1 out of 24 Clarins products is fragrance-free.
How do the founding years and countries of origin compare between Avène and Clarins?
Avène was founded in France in 1990, whereas Clarins was founded in France earlier, in 1954.
Which brand performs better specifically for texture and absorption according to reviewers?
Clarins performs better specifically for texture and absorption according to reviewers. Reviewers mostly mention that Clarins provides luxurious textures as well as lightweight and fast-absorbing moisturizers.
Avène or Clarins for oily skin?
Avène is better for oily skin, as the products on this page achieve a High Lovi fit level for this skin type compared to an Average fit for Clarins. Reviewers note that Avène provides effective oil control and gentle sunscreens, making it a suitable choice for managing excess oil.
Avène or Clarins: which moisturizer is better?
Clarins is a better fit for moisturizers on dry skin with a High routine fit compared to Avène's Average level. Clarins moisturizers are mostly mentioned by reviewers for providing hydrating and smoothing benefits with luxurious textures.
Avène or Clarins for sensitive skin?
Both Avène and Clarins have a High Lovi fit level for sensitive skin on the products on this page. Reviewers note that Avène is particularly praised for soothing irritation and gentle, non-stripping cleansing, while Clarins is often noted for luxurious textures and hydrating moisturizers.
Avène or Clarins for acne-prone skin?
Both Avène and Clarins fit acne-prone skin well, as the routine fit for this skin type is High for both brands on the products on this page. Reviewers note that Avène stands out for gentle and non-stripping cleansing and skin soothing and calmness.
Research behind their key ingredients
The Effect of Aloe Vera Clinical Trials on Prevention and Healing of Skin Wound: A Systematic Review
Molecular basis of retinol anti-ageing properties in naturally aged human skin in vivo
Effects of ascorbic acid on gingival melanin pigmentation in vitro and in vivo
Apigenin inhibits UVA-induced cytotoxicity in vitro and prevents signs of skin aging in vivo
Vitamin C-squalene bioconjugate promotes epidermal thickening and collagen production in human skin
Mechanism of action and clinical benefits of colloidal oatmeal for dermatologic practice
An oil-soluble extract of Rubus idaeus cells enhances hydration and water homeostasis in skin cells
Colloidal Oatmeal <em>(Avena Sativa)</em> Improves Skin Barrier Through Multi-Therapy Activity
Comparative benefit of two thermal spring waters after photodynamic therapy procedure
Skin improvement and stability of Echinacea purpurea dermatological formulations
The impacts of sodium lauroyl sarcosinate in facial cleanser on facial skin microbiome and lipidome
Comparison of methods for assessing photoprotection against ultraviolet A in vivo
Modulating effects of oatmeal extracts in the sodium lauryl sulfate skin irritancy model
Moisturizing effect of stable cream containing Crocus sativus extracts
Treatment with Ascorbyl Glucoside-Arginine Complex Ameliorates Solar Lentigos
Retrospective Review of Dermal Safety Studies of Organic Sunscreens
Microcirculation-Promoting Effect of Escin on Cutaneous Tissue via Gsk3β Down-Regulation
Saccharide isomerate ameliorates cosmetic scalp conditions in a Chinese study population
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
-

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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