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Cetaphil vs Avène

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

Cetaphil and Avène are well-known dermatological brands that offer thoughtful ranges of cleansers, moisturizers, serums, and sunscreens. Cetaphil is an American brand founded in 1947, while Avène is a French brand founded in 1990. Both brands suit acne-prone skin best with nourishing glycerin, though the American brand also suits combination skin with niacinamide and panthenol. They differ in origin, ownership, and exact ingredient compositions while providing proven hydration and barrier support.

Cetaphil is an American skincare brand founded in 1947 and owned by Galderma Group AG.

en.wikipedia.orgcetaphil.co.uk

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

Popular Cetaphil vs Avène products

People Say

CetaphilAvène
  • Gentle on sensitive skin Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “The only thing my reactive skin tolerates. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
    • “No breakouts since switching to this. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
    • “cleans without stripping — Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser”
    • “leaves face clean but not dry — Avène Cleanance”
  • Hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “cleared up flaky skin — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “healed my dry patches — Cetaphil Moisturising Cream”
    • “Leaves my face feeling soft, not tight. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
    • “Thick but absorbs well eventually — Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream”
  • Texture and skin improvement Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Skin felt softer after one use — Cetaphil Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser”
    • “Micro-fine granules don't irritate — Cetaphil Extra Gentle Daily Scrub”
    • “immediate radiance boost — Avène Vitamin Activ Cg Radiance Concentrated Serum”
    • “skin instantly felt firmer — Avène Hyaluron Activ B3 Concentrated Plumping Serum”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “absorbs instantly — Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Absorbs quickly into skin without residue — Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion”
    • “absorbs quickly — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “absorbs very quickly — Avène Vitamin Activ Cg Radiance Concentrated Serum”
  • Skin barrier repair and soothing Not 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”
    • “Saves my skin in winter — Avène Cold Cream”
  • Packaging and texture issues Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “hate dipping fingers in — Cetaphil Moisturising Cream”
    • “wish it had a pump — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “leaves a white layer — Avène Hydrance+”
    • “Tube squirted water everywhere — Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream”
  • Fragrance and smell issues Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Overpowering masking fragrance — Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar”
    • “Scent is overwhelmingly artificial. — Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser”
    • “The fragrance is very present. — Avène Milk Cleanser”
    • “smell is too strong — Avène Cleanance”
  • Irritation and formula change Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “They have changed the formula recently, and it... is not as good. — Avène Milk Cleanser”
    • “burned my skin — Avène Cleanance”
    • “caused burning sensation — Avène Vitamin Activ Cg Radiance Concentrated Serum”
    • “New version burns my face. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”

Cetaphil vs Avène routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Cetaphil vs Avène routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Cetaphil vs Avène routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

Cetaphil or Avène: which is better?

Both brands offer a High routine fit for all main skin types, but Cetaphil has Lovi fit levels of High for dry sensitive skin while Avène has Average. Reviewers note that Cetaphil does better for being gentle on sensitive skin, hydration, and lightweight textures, whereas Avène performs better for skin barrier repair and soothing.

What is the difference between Cetaphil and Avène?

Cetaphil is an American brand offering fragrance-free products on this page, while Avène is a French brand centered on thermal water with several fragranced items. For dry sensitive skin, Lovi rates Cetaphil as High and Avène as Average.

Cetaphil or Avène for dry skin?

Both brands offer High routine fit for dry skin on this page, but Cetaphil is superior for dry sensitive skin with a High Lovi fit compared to Avène's Average fit. Niacinamide may help reduce skin pigmentation and aging signs, while panthenol helps support skin conditioning.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Cetaphil or Avène: which cleanser is better?

Both brands offer cleansers that fit sensitive skin at a High level on Lovi. Cetaphil products on this page are mostly fragrance-free and are often noted for gentle, non-stripping cleansing.

Which is more affordable, Cetaphil or Avène?

The provided page facts do not mention the prices of Cetaphil or Avène products, so this comparison cannot be made here.

Between Cetaphil and Avène, which brand has a higher percentage of fragrance-free products?

Cetaphil has a higher percentage of fragrance-free products on this page, with nearly all of its items listing no fragrance.

Which brand performs better for skin barrier repair and soothing according to review themes?

Avène performs better for skin barrier repair and soothing according to the review themes on this page.

What are the founding countries and parent companies of Cetaphil and Avène?

Cetaphil was founded in 1947 in the United States and is owned by Galderma Group AG. Avène was founded in 1990 in France and is owned by Fondation Pierre Fabre.

Cetaphil or Avène for oily skin?

Both Cetaphil and Avène are a High fit for oily skin. Reviewers note that Cetaphil offers gentle cleansers and lightweight moisturizers, while Avène provides effective oil control and gentle deep-cleaning cleansers.

Cetaphil or Avène: which moisturizer is better?

Both Cetaphil and Avène offer moisturizers with varying fit levels depending on your skin type. For instance, Avène's Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm achieves a Superior fit for dry skin, while Cetaphil's Rich Hydrating Night Cream also provides a Superior fit for dry skin.

Cetaphil or Avène for sensitive skin?

Both brands offer a high Lovi fit level for sensitive skin. Cetaphil stands out for providing fragrance-free options across nearly all products on this page, which helps minimize irritation.

Cetaphil or Avène: which sunscreen is better?

Cetaphil offers superior Lovi fit levels for the products on this page when compared to Avène. For example, Cetaphil's Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 has a Superior fit for dry skin, dry sensitive skin, combination skin, and sensitive skin, whereas Avène's sunscreens on this page have lower fit ratings.

Cetaphil or Avène for acne-prone skin?

Both brands offer a High routine fit for acne-prone skin. Cetaphil features products on this page with key ingredients like niacinamide, which helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation, while Avène includes options like its Cleanance line.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

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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