Avène vs Elemis
Avène and Elemis are established European skincare houses that cater to distinct dermatological needs through specialized formulations. The French brand centers its gentle moisturizers, protective sunscreens, targeted serums, and soothing cleansers around glycerin, making its offerings ideal for oily, acne-prone, and combination skin. Conversely, the British brand anchors its nourishing serums, rich moisturizers, gentle cleansers, and refreshing toners in hydrating glycerin and softening shea, tailoring its products to support mature and dry skin. While both utilize key ingredients to enhance hydration and barrier function, they ultimately differ in their botanical profiles and ideal skin types.
Avène is a French skincare brand founded in 1990 and owned by Fondation Pierre Fabre.
pierre-fabre.comavene.co.ukaveneusa.com
Elemis is a British skincare brand founded in 1989 and owned by L'Occitane Group since 2019.
elemis.comau.elemis.comen.wikipedia.org
This page compares some of the most popular Avène and Elemis products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Avène vs Elemis products
People Say
Texture and Absorption Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “Absorbs almost immediately, and my skin feels well hydrated all day. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
- “whipped silk feel — Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial”
- “cloud-light gel formula — Elemis Pro-Collagen Eye Revive Mask”
- “Thick but absorbs well eventually — Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream”
Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “The cream really hydrates and my face looks amazing. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream”
- “Quenches thirsty skin... immediate improvement. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
- “skin feels baby soft — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
- “Restores moisture barrier — Avène Cold Cream”
Gentle Formulation Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
- “leaves face clean but not dry — Avène Cleanance”
- “Perfect cleanser for sensitive skin. — Avène Milk Cleanser”
- “no irritation at all — Avène Hydrance+”
- “no stinging or redness — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
Anti-Aging and Skin Smoothing Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “baby soft — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
- “skin feels baby soft — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
- “non-irritating — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
- “skin instantly felt firmer — Avène Hyaluron Activ B3 Concentrated Plumping Serum”
Cleansing and Makeup Removal Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “Keeps me matte for hours — Avène Cleanance Cleansing Gel”
- “keeps skin matte — Avène Cleanance”
- “melts waterproof mascara — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
- “face feels super clean — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash”
Skin Soothing and Redness Reduction 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”
- “Calms angry, red skin — Avène Soothing Radiance Mask”
Price 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”
- “Complete waste of money for me. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
Fragrance and Scent Complaints Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “The fragrance is very present. — Avène Milk Cleanser”
- “smell is too strong — Avène Cleanance”
- “The smell is very strong... could not handle for long. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
- “smell is too strong — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
Dryness and Irritation Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “Left my face tight — Avène Cleanance Cleansing Gel”
- “dried out my skin — Avène Cleanance”
- “Developed milia and closed comedones. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
- “dryness — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
Avène vs Elemis routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€53.00
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Hydrating Toner
COSRX Propolis Synergy Toner
Morning
€18.55
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Moisturizer
Pro-Collagen Night Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€97.95
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SPF
Pro-Collagen Marine Cream
Morning
€87.95
-
Pre-Cleanser
Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
€45.45
-
Serum or Treatment
Pro-Collagen Glow Boost Exfoliator
Evening · Once a week
€48.95
-
Nourishing Mask
Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Sheet Mask
Once a week
€19.90
-
Cleanser
Cleanance Cleansing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€7.70
-
Hydrating Toner
COSRX Propolis Synergy Toner
Morning
€18.55
-
Moisturizer
Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€18.93
-
SPF
Ultra Fluid
Morning
€17.50
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
€16.10
-
Serum or Treatment
Vitamin Activ Cg Radiance Concentrated Serum
Evening · Once a week
€25.79
-
Nourishing Mask
Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Sheet Mask
Once a week
€19.90
Avène vs Elemis routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
Cleanance Cleansing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€7.70
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
€19.99
-
Moisturizer
Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€10.90
-
SPF
Cleanance
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€28.79
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€40.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Pixi Glow Tonic
Evening
€29.29
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€49.00
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
€79.97
-
Cleanser
Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€53.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
€19.99
-
Moisturizer
Pro-Collagen Marine Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€87.95
-
Pre-Cleanser
Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
€45.45
-
Cleansing Toner
Balancing Lavender Toner
Evening
€26.68
-
Serum or Treatment
Papaya Enzyme Peel
Evening · Once a week
€50.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€49.00
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
€79.97
Avène vs Elemis routines for combination skin
-
Cleanser
Cleanance Cleansing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€7.70
-
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
€36.23
-
SPF
Cleanance
Morning
€28.79
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€40.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
€17.15
-
Serum or Treatment
Vitamin Activ Cg Radiance Concentrated Serum
Evening · Once a week
€25.79
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€49.00
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
€79.97
-
Cleanser
Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€53.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
€36.00
-
Moisturizer
Pro-Collagen Marine Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€87.95
-
Pre-Cleanser
Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
€45.45
-
Cleansing Toner
Balancing Lavender Toner
Evening
€26.68
-
Serum or Treatment
Papaya Enzyme Peel
Evening · Once a week
€50.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€49.00
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
€79.97
Questions and answers
Avène or Elemis: which is better?
Avène and Elemis perform similarly for most skin types on this page, but Avène is better for soothing irritation while Elemis excels in anti-aging and hydration. Reviewers often mention Elemis for luxurious textures and smoother skin, whereas Avène stands out for gentle formulations.
What is the difference between Avène and Elemis?
Avène and Elemis differ mainly in their formulation focus and strengths, with Avène excelling in gentle formulation and skin soothing, while Elemis stands out for hydration, texture, and anti-aging benefits. Both brands offer high routine fit levels across most skin types, but Elemis achieves a High fit for dry sensitive skin where Avène reaches an Average fit.
Avène or Elemis for dry skin?
Both Avène and Elemis have a High routine fit for dry skin. Avène is often noted for soothing irritation and gentle formulation, while Elemis is praised for its hydrating moisturizers and smoother skin texture.
Avène or Elemis: which cleanser is better?
Both Avène and Elemis offer effective cleansers, with Avène featuring gentle deep clean cleansers that help provide a gentle formulation for sensitive skin. Reviewers note that Avène excels in gentle formulation while both brands perform equally in cleansing and makeup removal.
Which is more affordable, Avène or Elemis?
Avene is more affordable than Elemis, as high prices are sometimes noted for Avene but mostly mentioned as a drawback for Elemis.
Avene or Elemis for dry sensitive skin?
For dry sensitive skin, Elemis fits better with a High level, while Avène reaches an Average fit on the products on this page. Reviewers note that Elemis delivers hydrating moisturizers and smoother skin texture, whereas Avène tends to offer gentler formulations.
Avene or Elemis: which brand is better for anti-aging and skin smoothing?
Elemis is better for anti-aging and skin smoothing, as reviewers highlight its smoother skin texture and anti-aging benefits. The products on this page for Elemis help provide a radiant glow and support mature skin.
Avène or Elemis for oily skin?
Both Avène and Elemis have an equal High routine fit level for oily skin. Reviewers sometimes note that Avène provides effective oil control and Elemis offers lightweight moisturizers.
Avène or Elemis: which moisturizer is better?
Both Avène and Elemis offer moisturizers that help deliver deep hydration and a smooth texture. Lovi rates several options from both brands, such as Avène Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm and Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream, as High or Superior for dry skin.
Avene or Elemis for oily acne-prone skin?
Avène is a superior choice for oily acne-prone skin because the products on this page achieve a Superior fit level for this skin type, whereas Elemis reaches a High fit level. Reviewers often mention Avène for providing gentle deep cleansers and effective oil control.
Avène or Elemis for sensitive skin?
Both Avène and Elemis have a High routine fit for sensitive skin. Reviewers note that Avène does better for gentle formulation and skin soothing, while Elemis stands out for its hydrating moisturizers.
Avène or Elemis for acne-prone skin?
Both Avène and Elemis have products on this page that fit acne-prone skin well, with Avène offering superior routine fit for oily acne-prone skin.
Research behind their key ingredients
Bacterial cellulose membranes as drug delivery systems: an in vivo skin compatibility study
Molecular basis of retinol anti-ageing properties in naturally aged human skin in vivo
Microneedling by dermapen and glycolic acid peel for the treatment of acne scars: Comparative study
Topical beta-carotene protects against infra-red-light-induced free radicals
An oil-soluble extract of Rubus idaeus cells enhances hydration and water homeostasis in skin cells
A Rose Extract Protects the Skin against Stress Mediators: A Potential Role of Olfactory Receptors
Comparative benefit of two thermal spring waters after photodynamic therapy procedure
Comparison of methods for assessing photoprotection against ultraviolet A in vivo
Comparative measurement of hydration effects of herbal moisturizers
Topical Almond Oil for Prevention of Pressure Injuries: A Single-Blinded Comparison Study
Skin recovery by Lavandula angustifolia leaf callus extract: Redox control of Nrf2 signaling
Formulation and evaluation of exotic fat based cosmeceuticals for skin repair
Nanocomplex of quaternized cyclodextrin grafted chitosan and hyaluronic acid for a skin delivery
Treatment with Ascorbyl Glucoside-Arginine Complex Ameliorates Solar Lentigos
Effects of fermented tea seed oil on the skin lipid barrier and microbiome of sensitive skin
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
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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
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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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