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Clinique vs Avène

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

Clinique and Avène are respected skincare brands originating from America in 1968 and France in 1990, respectively. Both offer versatile moisturizers and targeted serums, though the American line incorporates hydrating hyaluronic acid, nourishing glycerin, and invigorating caffeine, while the French label relies on nourishing glycerin. The former suits dry sensitive skin and oily skin best, whereas the latter suits acne-prone skin and oily acne-prone skin best. Ultimately, they differ through their distinct founding heritages and specific ingredient combinations designed to address varied complexion needs.

Clinique is an American skincare brand founded in 1968 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc..

en.wikipedia.orgelcompanies.combusinesswire.comglossy.co

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

Popular Clinique vs Avène products

People Say

CliniqueAvène
  • Sensitive Skin and Soothing Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “never irritated my eyes — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “No stinging eyes — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “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”
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Keeps my dry patches at bay all day — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
    • “skin feels soft and smooth — Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask”
    • “glass skin look — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “Restores moisture barrier — Avène Cold Cream”
  • Texture and Absorption Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “sinks in immediately — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “sinks in instantly — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
    • “Absorbs quickly without feeling sticky — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
    • “Thick but absorbs well eventually — Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream”
  • Makeup Compatibility and Removal Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Melts waterproof mascara — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “foundation glides on — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “holds concealer in place — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “Remove a all of the makeup with ease. — Avène Milk Cleanser”
  • Dryness and Residue Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Leaves a greasy film — Avène Cold Cream”
    • “Left my face tight — Avène Cleanance Cleansing Gel”
    • “sticky kinda feeling — Avène Hyaluron Activ B3 Concentrated Plumping Serum”
    • “skin felt tight — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
  • Price and Value Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “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”
    • “jar is too small for the cost — Clinique moisture surge”
  • Scents and Fragrance Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Smells like nail polish remover — Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2”
    • “Smells like old oil — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “Has a weird plastic-like smell — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
    • “The fragrance is very present. — Avène Milk Cleanser”

Clinique vs Avène routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Clinique vs Avène routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Clinique vs Avène routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 94% fit

Questions and answers

Clinique or Avène: which is better?

Both brands are great choices depending on your skin type and preferences. Clinique stands out for its fragrance-free formulas, hydration, and makeup removal, whereas Avène is often preferred for soothing irritated skin and managing acne-prone or oily skin.

What is the difference between Clinique and Avène?

Clinique is better for hydration, texture, makeup removal, and fragrance-free formulas, while Avène is better for sensitive skin, acne-prone skin, and value. Both brands offer high routine fit for oily and mature skin on the products on this page.

Clinique or Avène for dry skin?

Avène is the better choice for dry skin, as its routine fit is rated High compared to Clinique's Average fit on this page. Reviewers note that Avène delivers deep hydration, and every product listed for Clinique on this page contains no fragrance while some Avène products do.

Clinique or Avène: which cleanser is better?

Clinique is better for cleansers on this page, as every cleanser lists no fragrance and reviewers note gentle and effective results. Avène offers good options too, but several of its cleansers list fragrance in their ingredients.

Which is more affordable, Clinique or Avène?

Avene is more affordable than Clinique, as Clinique reviewers often note a high price point.

Which brand has fewer fragrance concerns in its products, Clinique or Avène?

Clinique has fewer fragrance concerns than Avène because every product on the Clinique page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas 7 of the 15 products on the Avène page contain fragrance.

Which brand is better suited for dry sensitive skin, Clinique or Avène?

Clinique is better suited for dry sensitive skin, offering a High Lovi fit level for this skin type compared to Avène's Average fit. Clinique also features fragrance-free formulations across the products on this page.

Clinique or Avène for oily skin?

Both Clinique and Avène offer a High Lovi fit for oily skin. Reviewers often mention Clinique for oil-controlling and smoothing moisturizers, while Avène is frequently noted for effective oil control.

Clinique or Avène: which moisturizer is better?

Avène is a better choice for moisturizers on this page, offering superior options like Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm for dry skin and Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream for sensitive skin. Clinique's moisturizers are often hydrating and lightweight, but Avène takes the lead on this page for deeper moisture and soothing irritation.

Clinique or Avène for sensitive skin?

Avène has a High Lovi fit for sensitive skin, whereas Clinique has an Average fit. Avène also often helps soothe irritation, while Clinique benefits from being completely fragrance-free across the products on this page.

Clinique or Avène for acne-prone skin?

Avène is a better fit for acne-prone skin, achieving a High routine fit level compared to Clinique's Average level. Reviewers note that Avène offers gentle deep clean cleansers and non-stripping sunscreens.

Clinique or Avène for mature skin?

Both Clinique and Avène fit mature skin at a High level based on the products on this page. Reviewers note that Clinique offers an advantage in texture and absorption, while Avène is frequently recognized for soothing irritation.

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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