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Avène vs NIVEA

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

Avène and NIVEA are distinguished European skincare brands that offer reliable sunscreens, targeted serums, and versatile or nourishing moisturizers formulated with glycerin. The French brand suits acne-prone and oily acne-prone skin best, while the German brand suits sensitive skin and skin with dark spots best. Both brands improve skin hydration and restore barrier function through their key ingredients. They differ in their founding origins, parent companies, and specific formulations designed for mature skin or dark spots.

Avène is a French skincare brand founded in 1990 and owned by Fondation Pierre Fabre.

pierre-fabre.comavene.co.ukaveneusa.com

NIVEA is a German skincare brand founded in 1911 and owned by maxingvest GmbH & Co. KGaA since 2004.

beiersdorf.comen.wikipedia.org

This page compares some of the most popular Avène and NIVEA products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Avène vs NIVEA products

People Say

AvèneNIVEA
  • Anti-aging and skin smoothing Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Makes my face feel smooth and soft. — NIVEA Soft”
    • “skin feels squeaky clean and soft — NIVEA DERMA SKIN CLEAR”
    • “skin feels smooth — NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub”
    • “skin instantly felt firmer — Avène Hyaluron Activ B3 Concentrated Plumping Serum”
  • Texture and consistency Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Thick but absorbs well eventually — Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream”
    • “absorbs very quickly — Avène Vitamin Activ Cg Radiance Concentrated Serum”
    • “lathers really well — Avène Cleanance”
    • “It's lightweight on the skin and leaves a bit of subtle sheen. — NIVEA Soft”
  • Deep hydration and moisturization Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Smoothed out dry flaky scales on my cheeks overnight — NIVEA Creme”
    • “skin feels moisturized — NIVEA Protect & Moisture Sun Lotion SPF50+”
    • “Restores moisture barrier — Avène Cold Cream”
  • Soothes and calms irritation Mostly 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”
  • Effective oil control and acne clearing Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “cleared my complexion in 7 days — NIVEA DERMA SKIN CLEAR”
    • “reduces blackheads — NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub”
    • “Keeps me matte for hours — Avène Cleanance Cleansing Gel”
  • Price and value Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Works better than expensive luxury creams — NIVEA Creme”
    • “Best affordable vegan moisturizer. — NIVEA Soft”
    • “absolute steal for the price — NIVEA DERMA SKIN CLEAR”
    • “Bottle lasts for months — Avène Cleanance Cleansing Gel”
  • Thick texture and greasy finish Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Leaves a greasy film — Avène Cold Cream”
    • “too thick — Avène Hydrance+”
    • “sticky kinda feeling — Avène Hyaluron Activ B3 Concentrated Plumping Serum”
    • “Leaves a shiny grease layer that doesn't go away — NIVEA Creme”
  • Strong fragrance and scent issues Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “The fragrance is very present. — Avène Milk Cleanser”
    • “smell is too strong — Avène Cleanance”
    • “Scent is too overpowering for sensitive noses — NIVEA Creme”
    • “Has a heavy, baby powder smell. — NIVEA Soft”
  • Causes breakouts and acne Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Woke up with tiny whiteheads all over — Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream”
    • “Caused small bumps/texture — Avène Soothing Radiance Mask”
    • “Broke me out initially — Avène Cleanance Cleansing Gel”
    • “Clogged my pores and caused bad acne — NIVEA Creme”

Avène vs NIVEA routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Avène vs NIVEA routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Avène vs NIVEA routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 94% fit

Questions and answers

Avène or NIVEA: which is better?

Both Avène and NIVEA are good options, as they offer equal routine fit levels across all major skin types on this page. Avène is often noted for soothing irritation and gentle texture, while NIVEA is frequently praised for deep hydration and blemish-clearing serums.

What is the difference between Avène and NIVEA?

Avène and NIVEA offer products on this page that share an equal routine fit across most skin types, though NIVEA has a High routine fit for dry sensitive skin compared to Avène's Average fit. Reviewers note that Avène is better at soothing and calming irritation and texture and consistency, while NIVEA performs better for deep hydration and moisturization and anti-aging and skin smoothing.

Avène or NIVEA for dry skin?

For dry skin, both Avène and NIVEA achieve a High routine fit level on the products on this page. Avène features options like Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm with a Superior fit for dry skin, while NIVEA offers versatile moisturizers such as Creme with a High fit.

Avène or NIVEA: which moisturizer is better?

When it comes to moisturizers on this page, Avène provides products like Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm that Lovi rates as High for dry sensitive skin, while NIVEA offers options like Creme with a High fit for dry skin. Reviewers note that NIVEA delivers intense deep hydration, whereas Avène is recognized for soothing irritation.

Which is more affordable, Avène or NIVEA?

NIVEA is more affordable, as price and value is an area where NIVEA does better than Avène according to the review themes on this page.

Which brand has better texture and consistency, Avène or NIVEA?

Avène does better for texture and consistency among the products on this page. Reviewers frequently note its lightweight textures and gentle, non-stripping feel.

Which brand is better for soothing and calming skin irritation?

Avène does better for soothing and calming skin irritation, offering products like its Eau Thermale Thermal Spring Water and Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm.

Avène or NIVEA for oily skin?

Both Avène and NIVEA achieve a High routine fit level for oily skin based on the products on this page. Reviewers note that Avène provides effective oil control, while NIVEA offers blemish-clearing serums.

Avène or NIVEA: which sunscreen is better?

When it comes to sunscreens, Avène is noted by reviewers for being gentle and non-stripping, while NIVEA offers options like Protect & Moisture Sun Lotion SPF50+ with a High routine fit across multiple skin types on this page. Reviewers frequently mention both brands for their sun care, but individual preferences for texture and finish may guide your choice.

Avène or NIVEA for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, both Avène and NIVEA reach a High routine fit level on this page. Reviewers note that Avène helps soothe irritation, while NIVEA offers intense deep hydration.

Avène or NIVEA for acne-prone skin?

Both Avène and NIVEA offer routines with a High routine fit for acne-prone skin on the products on this page. Avène focuses on gentle and non-stripping sunscreens as well as gentle deep clean cleansers, while NIVEA features blemish-clearing serums.

Avène or NIVEA for dry sensitive skin?

NIVEA is a better fit for dry sensitive skin, as Lovi rates NIVEA's routine fit as High while Avène's routine fit is Average.

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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