🇳🇱Netherlands

COSRX vs Avène

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

COSRX and Avène are beloved skincare lines that offer targeted serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and masks. Both brands suit acne-prone and oily acne-prone skin best, yet they differ in their heritage and specific formulations. While the Korean brand relies on hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide to address blemishes and dark spots, the French brand focuses on nourishing glycerin to deliver profound relief without heaviness.

COSRX is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2013 and owned by Amorepacific Group since 2024.

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

Popular COSRX vs Avène products

People Say

COSRXAvène
  • Gentle and Non-Stripping Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “No stinging or irritation — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “extremely gentle — COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner”
    • “leaves face clean but not dry — Avène Cleanance”
    • “Perfect cleanser for sensitive skin. — Avène Milk Cleanser”
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “skin drinks it up — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “woke up with soft, supple skin — COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream”
    • “gives a healthy glow — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
    • “Restores moisture barrier — Avène Cold Cream”
  • Lightweight and Fast Absorption Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “absorbs instantly like water — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
    • “sinks in immediately — COSRX Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream”
    • “absorbs practically immediately — COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)”
    • “absorbs very quickly — Avène Vitamin Activ Cg Radiance Concentrated Serum”
  • Skin Texture and Smoothing Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “gives me that glass skin look — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “skin feels softer immediately — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
    • “Skin feels like glass — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “I've noticed a definite improvement in the fine lines around my eyes — Avène RetrinAL EYES”
  • Soothing and Calming Sometimes 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”
    • “calms down my redness — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
  • Acne and Pores Control Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “helped to improve my acne after only 2 weeks — COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser”
    • “cleared up my spots — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
    • “Melted blackheads right off — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “Cleared my cystic acne — Avène Cleanance Cleansing Gel”
  • Unpleasant Texture and Finish Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “texture is gooey and stringy — COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream”
    • “too slimy and sticky — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “Tube squirted water everywhere — Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream”
    • “Leaves a greasy film — Avène Cold Cream”
  • Strong Scent or Fragrance Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “smells like chemicals — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
    • “smells like onions — COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
    • “smells like tea tree/medicinal — COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)”
    • “The fragrance is very present. — Avène Milk Cleanser”
  • Packaging Issues and Size 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”
    • “only 20mls... significantly less product — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”

COSRX vs Avène routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

COSRX vs Avène routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

COSRX vs Avène routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 94% fit

Questions and answers

COSRX or Avène: which is better?

Both COSRX and Avène offer great routines, but COSRX is superior for acne-prone and oily acne-prone skin while matching Avène's high fit for most other skin types. Reviewers find that COSRX excels in hydration, lightweight absorption, and acne control, whereas Avène stands out for soothing irritation.

What is the difference between COSRX and Avène?

COSRX and Avène both fit dry, oily, combination, sensitive, and mature skin well, but COSRX is superior for acne-prone and oily acne-prone skin while Avène has a high fit for them. COSRX also does better on hydration, lightweight absorption, skin smoothing, and pore control, whereas Avène stands out for soothing irritation. Additionally, 37 of 38 COSRX products list no fragrance compared to only 7 of 15 Avène products.

COSRX or Avène for dry skin?

Both COSRX and Avène offer a High routine fit for dry skin on the products on this page. COSRX products on this page provide better hydration and moisture, while Avène formulas help soothe irritation.

COSRX or Avène: which cleanser is better?

COSRX offers a wider range of cleansers with superior Lovi fit levels across multiple skin types compared to Avène. The products on this page show that COSRX cleansers generally match diverse needs, whereas Avène cleansers tend to be more limited.

Which is more affordable, COSRX or Avène?

This page does not contain information about the pricing or affordability of COSRX or Avène products.

How do the founding years and home countries of COSRX and Avène compare?

COSRX was founded in South Korea in 2013, whereas Avène was founded in France in 1990.

Which brand performs better regarding hydration and moisture according to review themes?

COSRX performs better regarding hydration and moisture according to review themes. Its products on this page frequently provide deep hydration and moisturization.

How does the routine fit for dry sensitive skin compare between COSRX and Avène?

For dry sensitive skin, COSRX has a High routine fit while Avène has an Average routine fit. Reviewers note that COSRX is better for hydration and moisture.

COSRX or Avène for oily skin?

Both COSRX and Avène offer a High routine fit for oily skin, though COSRX products on this page frequently highlight lightweight absorption and effective oil and acne control. Avène products on this page are mostly noted for gentle deep cleaning cleansers and oil control.

COSRX or Avène: which moisturizer is better?

COSRX offers several moisturizers that achieve a Superior Lovi fit level across multiple skin types, while Avène moisturizers reach at most a High fit level. COSRX also excels over Avène specifically in providing deep hydration and lightweight absorption for its moisturizers.

COSRX or Avène for sensitive skin?

COSRX is well-suited for sensitive skin, achieving a High routine fit level on this page. Avène also reaches a High routine fit level for sensitive skin on this page, and its products are frequently noted for soothing irritation.

COSRX or Avène: which sunscreen is better?

Both brands offer solid options, but COSRX is a strong choice with sunscreens like the Ultra-Light Invisible Sunscreen, which has a High Lovi fit level for sensitive, mature, and dry skin, and a Superior fit for acne-prone skin. Avène also features effective sun protection, such as Cleanance for oily skin.

COSRX or Avène for acne-prone skin?

COSRX has a Superior Lovi fit level for acne-prone skin, while Avène has a High 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?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play