Avène vs Elemis
Avène and Elemis are two established European skincare lines offering distinct botanical and scientific approaches to complexion care. The French house features gentle moisturizers, protective sunscreens, targeted serums, and soothing cleansers formulated with glycerin that suit oily, acne-prone, and combination skin best. Conversely, the British house is celebrated for nourishing serums, rich moisturizers, gentle cleansers, and refining toners that weave together glycerin and shea to serve dry and mature skin best. While both brands harness glycerin to improve hydration and restore barrier function, Elemis additionally relies on shea butter to reduce inflammation and relieve skin pruritus.
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
€9.10
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Hydrating Toner
COSRX Propolis Synergy Toner
Morning
€14.28
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Moisturizer
Pro-Collagen Night Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€102.00
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SPF
Pro-Collagen Marine Cream
Morning
€83.90
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Pre-Cleanser
Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
€50.40
-
Serum or Treatment
Pro-Collagen Glow Boost Exfoliator
Evening · Once a week
€45.90
-
Nourishing Mask
Mediheal Watermide Essential Mask
Once a week
€28.40
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Cleanser
Cleanance Cleansing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€19.73
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Hydrating Toner
COSRX Propolis Synergy Toner
Morning
€14.28
-
Moisturizer
Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€28.50
-
SPF
Ultra Fluid
Morning
€17.50
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
€16.25
-
Serum or Treatment
Vitamin Activ Cg Radiance Concentrated Serum
Evening · Once a week
€25.79
-
Nourishing Mask
Mediheal Watermide Essential Mask
Once a week
€28.40
Avène vs Elemis routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
Cleanance Cleansing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€19.73
-
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
€18.56
-
SPF
Cleanance
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€19.73
-
Pre-Cleanser
Pyunkang Yul Deep Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€22.67
-
Cleansing Toner
Pixi Glow Tonic
Evening
€34.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€76.00
-
Cleansing Mask
Dr. Sebagh Deep Exfoliating Mask
Once a week
€82.85
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Cleanser
Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€9.10
-
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
€83.90
-
Pre-Cleanser
Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
€50.40
-
Cleansing Toner
Balancing Lavender Toner
Evening
€28.76
-
Serum or Treatment
Papaya Enzyme Peel
Evening · Once a week
€44.20
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€76.00
-
Cleansing Mask
Dr. Sebagh Deep Exfoliating Mask
Once a week
€82.85
Avène vs Elemis routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Cleanance Cleansing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€19.73
-
Hydrating Toner
La Mer The Tonic
Morning · Once a week
€115.30
-
Moisturizer
Hyaluron Activ B3 Concentrated Plumping Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€32.90
-
SPF
Cleanance
Morning
€19.73
-
Pre-Cleanser
Pyunkang Yul Deep Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€22.67
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
€22.99
-
Serum or Treatment
Vitamin Activ Cg Radiance Concentrated Serum
Evening · Once a week
€25.79
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€76.00
-
Cleansing Mask
Sand & Sky Australian Pink Clay Porefining Face Mask
Once a week
€48.22
-
Cleanser
Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€9.10
-
Hydrating Toner
La Mer The Tonic
Morning · Once a week
€115.30
-
Moisturizer
Pro-Collagen Marine Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€83.90
-
Pre-Cleanser
Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
€50.40
-
Cleansing Toner
Balancing Lavender Toner
Evening
€28.76
-
Serum or Treatment
Papaya Enzyme Peel
Evening · Once a week
€44.20
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€76.00
-
Cleansing Mask
Sand & Sky Australian Pink Clay Porefining Face Mask
Once a week
€48.22
Questions and answers
Avène or Elemis: which is better?
Avène and Elemis are both great choices, with Avène offering a better fit for gentle formulation and Elemis leading in texture, absorption, and hydration.
What is the difference between Avène and Elemis?
Elemis is better for hydration and texture while Avène is better for gentle formulation and soothing redness. Both brands feature high routines for dry skin, oily skin, combination skin, sensitive skin, acne-prone skin, mature skin, skin with dark spots, and oily acne-prone skin.
Avène or Elemis for dry skin?
Both brands offer a High routine fit for dry skin, but Avène is often preferred for gentleness while Elemis stands out for hydration and texture. Avène features soothing options like Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm with a Superior fit for dry skin, whereas Elemis offers nourishing choices like Pro-Collagen Night Cream with a High fit.
Avène or Elemis: which cleanser is better?
Avène and Elemis perform equally well for cleansing and makeup removal on this page, but Avène offers a gentler formulation for sensitive skin. Elemis features cleansers like the Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash that fit mature and dry skin well, while Avène is known for gentle deep-cleaning cleansers that help soothe irritation.
Which is more affordable, Avène or Elemis?
Avène is more affordable than Elemis, as price point complaints are sometimes noted for Avène while high prices are mostly mentioned for Elemis.
Between Avène and Elemis, which brand is better for reducing skin redness and soothing irritation?
Avène is better for reducing skin redness and soothing irritation, as the products on this page offer gentler formulations focused on calming sensitive skin. Lovi finds that Avène is High for sensitive skin routines, and reviewers frequently note that the brand effectively soothes irritation.
How do Avène and Elemis compare in terms of fragrance and scent complaints among reviewers?
Avène and Elemis perform equally regarding fragrance and scent complaints, with both brands occasionally receiving negative feedback about strong scents from reviewers. Across the products on this page, 7 of 15 Avène items and 4 of 22 Elemis items list no fragrance.
Which brand performs better for texture and absorption according to reviewer themes?
Elemis performs better for texture and absorption according to reviewer themes, standing out for its smoother skin texture and lightweight, fast-absorbing formulas.
Avène or Elemis for oily skin?
Both Avène and Elemis have an equal High Lovi fit level for oily skin. The products on this page from Avène help provide effective oil control and gentle deep cleansers, while Elemis products on this page offer smoother skin texture and a radiant glow.
Avène or Elemis: which moisturizer is better?
Both Avène and Elemis offer moisturizers with great options for dry skin, where the products on this page for both brands achieve a High routine fit. Elemis tends to be favored for hydration and anti-aging, while Avène is often noted for a gentler formulation.
Avène or Elemis for sensitive skin?
Both Avène and Elemis have a High routine fit for sensitive skin on this page, but Avène does better for gentle formulation and skin soothing and redness reduction. Elemis has more products with fragrance on this page, whereas Avène has about half its products listing no fragrance.
Avène or Elemis for acne-prone skin?
Both brands offer an equal routine fit for acne-prone skin on this page. Reviewers note that Avène provides a gentle formulation, while Elemis excels in texture and absorption.
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
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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
-

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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