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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 esteemed skincare brands originating from France and Japan respectively. The former is universally loved for its versatile moisturizers, reliable sunscreens, targeted serums, and gentle cleansers formulated with glycerin, while the latter is deeply adored for its thoughtfully formulated moisturizers, nourishing serums, rejuvenating masks, and refreshing toners anchored by pitera. Both brands suit acne-prone skin best, though the French brand also suits oily acne-prone skin with its glycerin, and the Japanese brand suits dry skin with its pitera. They differ primarily in their heritage and signature ingredients, as the former relies on glycerin to improve hydration and restore barrier function, whereas the latter utilizes pitera to actively improve pore area, skin roughness, and redness.

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 · 95% fit

Avène vs SK-II routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 94% fit

Questions and answers

Avène or SK-II: which is better?

Both brands are great choices, but they excel in different areas based on the products on this page. SK-II generally does better for texture, absorption, and radiance, while Avène is better known for gentle formulations, soothing irritation, and barrier repair.

What is the difference between Avène and SK-II?

Avène is a French brand founded in 1990 that stands out for gentle formulations and skin soothing, while SK-II is a Japanese brand founded in 1980 that tends to do better for texture, absorption, and radiance. Every product on the SK-II page lists no fragrance, whereas nearly half of the products on the Avène page contain fragrance. Furthermore, glycerin helps hydrate the skin.

Avène or SK-II for dry skin?

SK-II is a better fit for dry skin, where Lovi rates its routine as Superior compared to High for Avène. Every product on the SK-II page lists no fragrance, which may help avoid irritation on dry skin.

Avène or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

For moisturizers, both Avène and SK-II are great options depending on your specific needs, with Avène featuring choices like the Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm and SK-II offering the Facial Treatment Essence and Skinpower Advanced Cream. Lovi rates the routine fit for dry skin as High for Avène and Superior for SK-II. Reviewers note that Avène provides gentler formulations, while SK-II excels in texture and absorption.

Which is more affordable, Avène or SK-II?

Avène is more affordable than SK-II, as review themes note that price and cost concerns are a drawback for Avène while SK-II is the more expensive luxury option.

Between Avène and SK-II, which brand performs better for texture and absorption according to reviewers?

According to reviewers, SK-II performs better for texture and absorption.

How do the founding years and countries of origin compare between Avène and SK-II?

Avène and SK-II were both founded in the same year, 1980, but originate from different countries, with Avène starting in France and SK-II in Japan.

Which brand has more fragrance-free products listed on the page, Avène or SK-II?

SK-II has more fragrance-free products listed on the page, as every product from the brand lists no fragrance. In comparison, 7 of the 15 Avène products on this page list no fragrance.

Avène or SK-II for oily skin?

For oily skin, both Avène and SK-II achieve a high routine fit on Lovi. Avène features specialized oil control and gentle cleansing options, while SK-II relies on fragrance-free formulas like Facial Treatment Clear Lotion to help manage oiliness.

Avène or SK-II for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, both Avène and SK-II achieve a High Lovi fit level across the products on this page. Reviewers note that Avène provides gentler formulations and better skin soothing.

Avène or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, SK-II reaches a superior Lovi fit level, while Avène reaches a high Lovi fit level.

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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