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Avène vs SK-II

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

Avène and SK-II are esteemed skincare brands rooted in distinct botanical and scientific traditions, with the French house specializing in glycerin-powered moisturizers, sunscreens, serums, and cleansers, while the Japanese house is known for luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, rejuvenating masks, and clarifying toners driven by pitera. The former suits oily, acne-prone, and combination skin best, whereas the latter adapts seamlessly to combination, oily, normal, and dry complexions. Ultimately, both differ because the French brand relies on glycerin to improve hydration and restore barrier function, while the Japanese brand utilizes pitera to refine pore areas, reduce roughness, and balance redness.

Avène is a French skincare brand founded in 1990 and owned by Fondation Pierre Fabre.

pierre-fabre.comavene.co.ukaveneusa.com

SK-II is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1980 and owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991.

en.wikipedia.orgdiscoversk-ii.wixsite.comglossy.co

This page compares some of the most popular Avène and SK-II products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Avène vs SK-II products

People Say

AvèneSK-II
  • Texture and Absorption Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Smoother skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “absorbs very quickly — Avène Vitamin Activ Cg Radiance Concentrated Serum”
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Saves my skin in winter — Avène Cold Cream”
    • “Thick but absorbs well eventually — Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream”
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “skin feels deeply hydrated, plump, and smoother — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
  • Radiance and Glow Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “gives a glass skin look — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “leaves me with a red carpet glow — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Skin looks brighter — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “immediate radiance boost — Avène Vitamin Activ Cg Radiance Concentrated Serum”
  • Gentle Formulation Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “leaves face clean but not dry — Avène Cleanance”
    • “no irritation at all — Avène Hydrance+”
    • “No irritation at all, even though it contains retinal - perfect for sensitive skin — Avène RetrinAL EYES”
    • “Watery consistency — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
  • Skin Soothing and Barrier Repair 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”
    • “Perfect cleanser for sensitive skin. — Avène Milk Cleanser”
  • General Anti-Aging Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “skin instantly felt firmer — Avène Hyaluron Activ B3 Concentrated Plumping Serum”
    • “I've noticed a definite improvement in the fine lines around my eyes — Avène RetrinAL EYES”
    • “reducing the appearance of fine lines — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “My skin appeared more even toned. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
  • Price and Cost Concerns 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 — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Lack of Results or Performance Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “They have changed the formula recently, and it... is not as good. — Avène Milk Cleanser”
    • “It absolutely couldn't remove anything on its own. — Avène Milk Cleanser”
    • “no difference — Avène Antirougeurs Fort Relief Concentrate”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Strong Fragrance and Scent Issues Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “The fragrance is very present. — Avène Milk Cleanser”
    • “smell is too strong — Avène Cleanance”
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “smells slightly like saliva — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Causes Breakouts and Irritation Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “caused tiny red bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Small bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “did break out some while adjusting — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “Woke up with tiny whiteheads all over — Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream”

Questions and answers

Avène or SK-II: which is better?

Avène and SK-II each excel in different areas, with Avène offering gentler formulas and better barrier repair, while SK-II generally provides superior texture, absorption, and radiance. For sensitive or irritated skin, reviewers note that Avène is the gentler choice, whereas SK-II frequently leads to better glow and absorption.

What is the difference between Avène and SK-II?

Avène and SK-II differ mainly in their formulation focus and review highlights, with Avène providing a High fit for gentle formulation, skin soothing, and barrier repair, while SK-II achieves better ratings for texture, absorption, radiance, and glow. Reviewers note that Avène helps soothe irritation and features gentle sunscreens, though some products contain fragrance, whereas every product on the SK-II page lists no fragrance.

Avène or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

When comparing moisturizers, Avène is often noted for soothing irritation, while SK-II leans toward texture and absorption. For dry skin, the products on this page show that Avène Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm has a Superior fit, whereas SK-II Facial Treatment Essence has a High fit.

Which is more affordable, Avène or SK-II?

When it comes to affordability, Avène may be the more budget-friendly option, as SK-II is frequently noted for high price and cost concerns.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Avène or SK-II?

Avène may cause fewer breakouts than SK-II, as review themes note that SK-II causes breakouts and irritation while Avène does not have that drawback.

Between Avène and SK-II, which brand is better suited for gentle formulation and skin soothing according to review themes?

According to the review themes on this page, Avène does better for gentle formulation and skin soothing. Reviewers often note that Avène helps soothe irritation and provides gentle deep clean cleansers and non-stripping sunscreens.

How do the founding years, countries of origin, and parent companies of Avène and SK-II compare?

Avène was founded in 1990 in France and is owned by Fondation Pierre Fabre, while SK-II was founded in 1980 in Japan and has been owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991.

Which brand has fragrance-free products across its entire page, Avène or SK-II?

SK-II has fragrance-free products across its entire page, whereas Avène includes fragrance in several of the products on this page.

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?

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