🇫🇷France

Dermalogica vs Avène

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

Dermalogica and Avène are well-regarded skincare brands designed to address various complex complexions. The American brand is known for targeted serums, nourishing moisturizers, gentle cleansers, and purifying masks formulated with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and salicylic acid, while the French brand is loved for gentle moisturizers, protective sunscreens, targeted serums, and soothing cleansers formulated with glycerin. Both suit oily skin, oily acne-prone skin, and combination skin best. They differ primarily in their exact product formulations and active ingredients, as the former utilizes hyaluronic acid and salicylic acid for diverse concerns, whereas the latter relies on its signature soothing approach.

Dermalogica is an American skincare brand founded in 1986 and owned by Unilever since 2015.

en.wikipedia.orgcosmeticsbusiness.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 Dermalogica and Avène products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Dermalogica vs Avène products

People Say

DermalogicaAvène
  • Deep hydration and moisturization Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Saved my dry skin — Dermalogica Super Rich Repair”
    • “blends seamlessly — Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50”
    • “Absorbs quickly... not greasy — Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream”
    • “Restores moisture barrier — Avène Cold Cream”
  • Gentle on skin and non-stripping Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “leaves face clean but not dry — Avène Cleanance”
    • “Perfect cleanser for sensitive skin. — Avène Milk Cleanser”
    • “Squeaky clean but soft — Avène Cleanance Cleansing Gel”
    • “gentle enough for daily use — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
  • Skin 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”
    • “Love that there is no scent at all! — Avène Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm”
    • “helps calm and nourish my skin — Dermalogica Stabilizing Repair Cream”
  • Improved texture and smoothness Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “skin feels smooth as silk — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “fine lines have visibly softened — Dermalogica Phyto Nature Lifting Eye Cream”
    • “creamy without being greasy — Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance”
    • “I've noticed a definite improvement in the fine lines around my eyes — Avène RetrinAL EYES”
  • Acne and oil control Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Brings out all the gunk — Dermalogica Blackhead Clearing Fizz Mask”
    • “doesn't clog pores — Dermalogica Active Moist”
    • “Keeps me matte for hours — Avène Cleanance Cleansing Gel”
    • “keeps skin matte — Avène Cleanance”
  • High price point and value concerns Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “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”
    • “hefty price tag — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
  • Unpleasant or strong scent Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “smells like puke — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “smells like medicine — Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50”
    • “The fragrance is very present. — Avène Milk Cleanser”
    • “smell is too strong — Avène Cleanance”
  • Breakouts and skin reactions Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “caused severe peeling — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “Cystic acne flare-ups — Dermalogica Precleanse”
    • “Woke up with tiny whiteheads all over — Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream”
    • “Caused small bumps/texture — Avène Soothing Radiance Mask”
  • Greasy or heavy residue Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “Leaves a greasy film — Avène Cold Cream”
    • “too shiny — Avène Hydrance+”
    • “Left unpleasant greasy film — Avène Soothing Radiance Mask”
    • “Too thick for day — Dermalogica Super Rich Repair”

Dermalogica vs Avène routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Dermalogica vs Avène routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Dermalogica vs Avène routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Dermalogica or Avène: which is better?

Dermalogica is better for oily and combination skin, achieving a Superior fit level for those skin types compared to Avène's High fit level. For dry sensitive skin, Lovi fit is High for Dermalogica and Average for Avène.

What is the difference between Dermalogica and Avène?

Dermalogica is better for deep hydration and texture, while Avène is better known for being gentle and soothing on sensitive skin. Lovi shows Dermalogica has a superior fit for oily and combination skin, whereas both brands have a superior fit for oily acne-prone skin.

Dermalogica or Avène for dry skin?

Both Dermalogica and Avène achieve a High fit for dry skin, though Dermalogica offers a wider selection of products rated Superior for this skin type, such as Circular Hydration Serum and Stabilizing Repair Cream. Avène also provides great options like Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm, which helps soothe dry skin effectively.

Dermalogica or Avène: which cleanser is better?

Dermalogica is better for offering a wider variety of cleansers with High or Superior Lovi fit levels across nearly all skin types, including dry, sensitive, and acne-prone skin. Avène also provides gentle deep-cleaning options, but Dermalogica delivers a higher concentration of non-stripping, highly rated cleansers like the Special Cleansing Gel and Daily Glycolic Cleanser.

Which is more affordable, Dermalogica or Avène?

Reviewers note a high price point for both Dermalogica and Avène, meaning neither brand stands out as definitively more affordable.

Which brand has more fragrance-free product options?

Dermalogica offers more fragrance-free product options, as every single product on its page lists no fragrance in its ingredients. In contrast, almost half of the products on the Avène page contain added fragrance.

How do the founding years and corporate ownerships of Dermalogica and Avène compare?

Dermalogica was founded in 1986 in the United States and has been owned by Unilever since 2015, whereas Avène was founded in 1990 in France and is owned by Fondation Pierre Fabre.

Which brand performs better for dry sensitive skin based on routine fit?

Dermalogica performs better for dry sensitive skin, with Lovi fit levels reaching High for this skin type while Avène reaches Average. The products on this page for Dermalogica help deliver intense hydration and soothing care for sensitive skin.

Dermalogica or Avène for oily skin?

For oily skin, Dermalogica has a Superior routine fit while Avène has a High fit. Reviewers note that Avène provides effective oil control, whereas Dermalogica offers better overall texture and smoothness.

Dermalogica or Avène: which moisturizer is better?

Dermalogica provides deeper hydration and better non-greasy moisturization compared to Avène, according to reviewer feedback on this page. For dry skin, both brands offer a High routine fit level, though Dermalogica features a wider range of dedicated moisturizers like Stabilizing Repair Cream.

Dermalogica or Avène for sensitive skin?

Dermalogica is a better fit than Avène for sensitive skin, offering High Lovi fit across its products on this page compared to Avène's Average fit level for dry sensitive skin. Both brands provide gentle options, but Dermalogica features no fragrance across the products on this page.

Dermalogica or Avène: which sunscreen is better?

Dermalogica provides a higher routine fit for sunscreens on this page, as its products achieve a High fit across almost all skin types. Avène also offers effective options, with its Cleanance sunscreen reaching a Superior fit for oily skin.

Dermalogica or Avène for acne-prone skin?

Both brands offer a High routine fit for acne-prone skin, so either may work well for you. Dermalogica products on this page list no fragrance, while some Avène products contain fragrance.

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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