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CeraVe vs Avène

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

CeraVe and Avène are trusted skincare brands that offer reliable cleansers, moisturizers, serums, and sunscreens. The American brand CeraVe relies on hydrating hyaluronic acid and glycerin to best suit dry and acne-prone skin, whereas the French brand Avène utilizes nourishing glycerin to suit oily, acne-prone skin. While both lines provide profound relief, they differ through their distinct active ingredients and targeted formulations for specific concerns.

CeraVe is an American skincare brand founded in 2005 and owned by L'Oréal since 2017.

en.wikipedia.orghappi.comloreal-finance.comcerave.com

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

Popular CeraVe vs Avène products

People Say

CeraVeAvène
  • Fragrance-Free and Gentle Formulas Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “no burning sensation — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “No scent, no irritation — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “leaves face clean but not dry — Avène Cleanance”
    • “Perfect cleanser for sensitive skin. — Avène Milk Cleanser”
  • Texture and Absorption Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Absorbs into skin without residue — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Sinks right into your skin — CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “difference in my skin's texture is noticeable — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
    • “Thick but absorbs well eventually — Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream”
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Saved my dry winter skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “woke up with plump skin — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
    • “cured my dry patches — CeraVe Eye Repair Cream”
    • “Restores moisture barrier — Avène Cold Cream”
  • Redness and Sensitivity Soothing Rarely 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”
    • “Calms angry, red skin — Avène Soothing Radiance Mask”
    • “no stinging or redness — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
  • Acne Control and Clearing Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “dialed back oiliness — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “Never breaks me out — CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “helped to stop my breakout in its tracks — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
    • “Keeps me matte for hours — Avène Cleanance Cleansing Gel”
  • Value and Price Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “reasonably priced — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “Huge tub lasts forever — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “Great everyday moisturizer — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Bottle lasts for months — Avène Cleanance Cleansing Gel”
  • Texture and Residue Complications Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “feels like washing with conditioner — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “too sticky — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
    • “hard to spread — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
    • “leaves a white layer — Avène Hydrance+”
  • Breakouts and Purging Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Gave me cystic acne — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “gave me closed comedones — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “Woke up with tiny whiteheads all over — Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream”
    • “Caused small bumps/texture — Avène Soothing Radiance Mask”
  • Packaging and Sizing Issues Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Tube cracked on the side — Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream”
    • “Cap leaks in bag — Avène Cleanance Cleansing Gel”
    • “Good product bad packaging. — Avène RetrinAL EYES”
    • “no safety seal included — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”

CeraVe vs Avène routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

CeraVe vs Avène routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

CeraVe vs Avène routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 94% fit

Questions and answers

CeraVe or Avène: which is better?

CeraVe and Avène are both great brands, but CeraVe is generally better for hydration, texture, and acne control, while Avène is better for soothing redness and sensitivity. For acne-prone skin, Lovi rates CeraVe as Superior and Avène as High.

What is the difference between CeraVe and Avène?

CeraVe and Avène offer products on this page that both achieve a High routine fit for dry skin. CeraVe features fragrance-free formulas across all products, whereas some Avène items list added fragrance.

CeraVe or Avène for dry skin?

Both CeraVe and Avène offer a High routine fit for dry skin, making either brand a strong choice depending on your preference. CeraVe features a fragrance-free lineup on this page, while Avène includes some products with fragrance.

CeraVe or Avène: which cleanser is better?

CeraVe offers cleansers with a Superior Lovi fit level for acne-prone, oily, and combination skin, whereas Avène cleansers are well-suited for a gentle deep clean. Reviewers note that CeraVe cleansers are gentle, non-stripping, and effective for acne and oil.

Which is more affordable, CeraVe or Avène?

CeraVe is the more affordable brand, as value and price is an area where CeraVe does better than Avène across the products on this page.

CeraVe or Avène: which is better for dry sensitive skin?

CeraVe has a High Lovi fit for dry sensitive skin, whereas Avène has an Average fit. The products on this page for CeraVe are completely fragrance-free, while several Avène products contain fragrance.

CeraVe or Avène: which brand has more fragrance-free products?

CeraVe has more fragrance-free products since every single product on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas nearly half of Avène's products on this page contain fragrance.

CeraVe or Avène: which is better for reducing redness and sensitivity?

Avene does better than CeraVe for soothing redness and sensitivity, according to the review themes on this page.

CeraVe or Avène for oily skin?

Both CeraVe and Avène offer a high routine fit for oily skin. The products on this page help provide good oil control and gentle cleansing.

CeraVe or Avène: which moisturizer is better?

CeraVe provides lightweight, non-greasy moisturizers that reviewers mention as having superior healing and texture compared to Avène. For the products on this page, Lovi rates CeraVe's routine fit for dry sensitive skin as High and Avène's as Average.

CeraVe or Avène for sensitive skin?

Both CeraVe and Avène offer products that fit sensitive skin well. Lovi rates the routines for sensitive skin as High for CeraVe and High for Avène.

CeraVe or Avène: which sunscreen is better?

CeraVe offers better-rated sunscreens overall, as the products on this page achieve a Superior Lovi fit level for mature and dry skin, whereas Avène sunscreens rate lower for those skin types.

CeraVe or Avène for acne-prone skin?

CeraVe is better for acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates its routine as Superior compared to Avène's High fit level. The products on this page help provide effective cleansers for acne and oil.

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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