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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 distinct skincare brands founded in France and Japan respectively, offering dedicated solutions for complex complexions. The French line is loved for gentle moisturizers, protective sunscreens, targeted serums, and soothing cleansers formulated with glycerin, suiting oily acne-prone and combination skin best. Conversely, the Japanese brand is cherished for luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, clarifying toners, and restorative masks anchored by pitera, suiting dry and acne-prone skin best. While both brands address similar concerns through standout products like their specific essences and balms, they differ fundamentally in their foundational ingredients and regional heritage.

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”

Avène vs SK-II routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Avène vs SK-II routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Avène vs SK-II routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

Avène or SK-II: which is better?

When comparing Avène and SK-II, Avène does better for gentle formulation and skin soothing, whereas SK-II leads in texture and radiance.

What is the difference between Avène and SK-II?

Avène specializes in gentle formulations for skin soothing and barrier repair, whereas SK-II stands out for texture, absorption, radiance, and glow. For dry sensitive skin, Lovi rates SK-II as High and Avène as Average.

Avène or SK-II for dry skin?

SK-II helps dry skin with a Superior routine fit, while Avène has a High routine fit on this page. SK-II provides better texture and absorption, whereas Avène helps with gentle formulation and skin soothing.

Avène or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

For dry sensitive skin, SK-II has a High routine fit for its moisturizer compared to Avène which has an Average fit, while both brands offer options that help deliver deep hydration supported by glycerin and thermal water.

Which is more affordable, Avène or SK-II?

Avène is more affordable than SK-II, as price and cost concerns are noted as a negative review theme for Avène while SK-II does not have this concern.

Which brand performs better for texture, absorption, radiance, and glow between Avène and SK-II?

SK-II performs better for texture and absorption as well as radiance and glow compared to Avène.

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

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

Which brand is better for skin soothing, barrier repair, and gentle formulation?

Avène is better for skin soothing, barrier repair, and gentle formulation, as the products on this page help soothe irritation and provide a gentle formulation.

Avène or SK-II for oily skin?

For oily skin, both Avène and SK-II achieve a High routine fit on Lovi. Avène features effective oil control and a gentle deep clean, while SK-II uses its fragrance-free formulas to help absorb excess oil.

Avène or SK-II for sensitive skin?

Avène and SK-II both offer a High fit for sensitive skin, but reviewers note that Avène is better for gentle formulation and skin soothing. Glycerin is a key ingredient across Avène products on this page and helps provide moisture.

Avène or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

Both Avène and SK-II achieve a High routine fit for acne-prone skin on the products on this page. Reviewers note that Avène provides gentle formulation and skin soothing, while SK-II offers better texture and absorption.

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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