Avène vs Clarins
Avène and Clarins are two respected French skincare brands offering distinct approaches to daily care. The first brand is universally loved for its versatile moisturizers, reliable sunscreens, targeted serums, and gentle cleansers formulated with glycerin, while the second is loved for its luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, soothing eye products, and gentle toners enriched with shea and squalane. The former suits acne-prone and oily acne-prone skin best with options like the Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm, Cleanance, and Hyaluron Activ B3 Concentrated Plumping Serum, whereas the latter suits sensitive and dry sensitive skin best with treatments like the Double Serum Light Texture, Extra-Firming Day Cream, and Super Restorative Night Cream. Ultimately, they differ through their key ingredients and targeted benefits, as glycerin improves hydration for both, while shea reduces redness and squalane increases collagen.
Avène is a French skincare brand founded in 1990 and owned by Fondation Pierre Fabre.
pierre-fabre.comavene.co.ukaveneusa.com
Clarins is a French skincare brand founded in 1954 and owned by Famille C (Groupe Clarins).
groupeclarins.comen.wikipedia.orghappi.com
This page compares some of the most popular Avène and Clarins products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Avène vs Clarins products
People Say
Texture and Absorption Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “absorbs immediately — Clarins Double Serum Eye”
- “sinks in immediately — Clarins Double Serum Light Texture”
- “melting non-oily texture — Clarins Extra-Firming Neck & Décolleté Cream”
- “Thick but absorbs well eventually — Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream”
Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “skin drinks it up — Clarins Double Serum”
- “keeps skin moist — Clarins Multi-Active Jour”
- “woke up with baby soft skin — Clarins Multi-Active Nuit”
- “Restores moisture barrier — Avène Cold Cream”
Gentle and Non-Stripping Cleansing Often MentionedNot noted
- “leaves face clean but not dry — Avène Cleanance”
- “Perfect cleanser for sensitive skin. — Avène Milk Cleanser”
- “Squeaky clean but soft — Avène Cleanance Cleansing Gel”
Skin Soothing and Calmness Often MentionedRarely 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”
- “no irritation at all — Avène Hydrance+”
- “calms my skin — Clarins Hydrating Toning Lotion”
Dewy and Glowing Finish Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “skin looks brighter immediately — Clarins Cryo-Flash Cream-Mask”
- “Gives off the most stunning natural radiance I've ever come across. — Clarins Beauty Flash Balm”
- “gives a healthy morning glow — Clarins Multi-Active Nuit”
- “immediate radiance boost — Avène Vitamin Activ Cg Radiance Concentrated Serum”
Strong Fragrance and Scent Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “The fragrance is very present. — Avène Milk Cleanser”
- “smell is too strong — Avène Cleanance”
- “Smells like grandma — Avène Cold Cream”
- “smells like perfume — Clarins Multi-Active Jour”
High Price Point and Value 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 — Clarins Double Serum”
Packaging and Design Issues Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
- “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”
- “dispenses too much product — Clarins Total Eye Lift”
Formula Changes and Discontinuation Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “bring it back — Avène Antirougeurs Fort Relief Concentrate”
- “They have changed the formula recently, and it... is not as good. — Avène Milk Cleanser”
- “New formulation has been met with widespread disappointment. — Clarins Beauty Flash Balm”
- “miss the old yellow toner — Clarins Hydrating Toning Lotion”
Avène vs Clarins routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
Cleanance Cleansing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 93.00
-
Moisturizer
Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 235.36
-
SPF
Ultra Fluid
Morning
SAR 144.89
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
SAR 65.11
-
Cleansing Toner
ROUND LAB 1025 Dokdo Cleansing Water
Evening
SAR 72.64
-
Serum or Treatment
Antirougeurs Fort Relief Concentrate
Evening · Once a week
SAR 159.90
-
Enzyme Powder
FANCL Facial Washing Powder
Once a week
SAR 130.30
-
Nourishing Mask
Mediheal Watermide Essential Mask
Once a week
SAR 234.73
-
Cleanser
Gentle Foaming Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 154.14
-
Hydrating Toner
Hydrating Toning Lotion
Morning
SAR 141.00
-
Moisturizer
Hydra-Essentiel Silky Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 203.49
-
SPF
d'Alba Piedmont Waterfull Mild Sunscreen
Morning
SAR 75.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
Total Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
SAR 180.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Purifying Toning Lotion
Evening
SAR 141.00
- Serum or Treatment BRIGHT PLUS Evening · Once a week
-
Enzyme Powder
FANCL Facial Washing Powder
Once a week
SAR 130.30
-
Nourishing Mask
Cryo-Flash Cream-Mask
Once a week
SAR 423.62
Buy Avène routine · SAR 1,135.93 · 77% fit
Buy Clarins routine · SAR 1,448.55 · 73% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
Avène vs Clarins routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
Cleanance Cleansing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 93.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
SAR 53.04
-
Moisturizer
Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 83.90
-
SPF
Cleanance
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 93.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
SAR 245.95
-
Cleansing Toner
Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Toner
Evening
SAR 187.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
SAR 157.51
-
Cleansing Mask
Goldfaden MD Facial Detox Mask
Once a week
SAR 328.29
-
Cleanser
Gentle Foaming Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 154.14
-
Hydrating Toner
Hydrating Toning Lotion
Morning · Once a week
SAR 141.00
-
Moisturizer
Double Serum Light Texture
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 399.88
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
SAR 46.95
-
Pre-Cleanser
Total Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
SAR 180.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Purifying Toning Lotion
Evening
SAR 141.00
- Serum or Treatment BRIGHT PLUS Evening · Once a week
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
SAR 157.51
-
Cleansing Mask
Goldfaden MD Facial Detox Mask
Once a week
SAR 328.29
Buy Avène routine · SAR 1,148.69 · 87% fit
Buy Clarins routine · SAR 1,548.77 · 71% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Avène vs Clarins routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Cleanance Cleansing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 93.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
SAR 166.90
-
Moisturizer
Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 83.90
-
SPF
Cleanance
Morning
SAR 93.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
SAR 245.95
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
SAR 64.80
-
Serum or Treatment
Vitamin Activ Cg Radiance Concentrated Serum
Evening · Once a week
SAR 228.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
SAR 157.51
-
Cleansing Mask
KORA Organics Turmeric Brightening & Exfoliating Mask
Once a week
SAR 168.77
-
Cleanser
Gentle Foaming Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 154.14
-
Hydrating Toner
Hydrating Toning Lotion
Morning · Once a week
SAR 141.00
-
Moisturizer
Double Serum Light Texture
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 399.88
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
SAR 46.95
-
Pre-Cleanser
Total Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
SAR 180.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Purifying Toning Lotion
Evening
SAR 141.00
- Serum or Treatment BRIGHT PLUS Evening · Once a week
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
SAR 157.51
-
Cleansing Mask
KORA Organics Turmeric Brightening & Exfoliating Mask
Once a week
SAR 168.77
Buy Avène routine · SAR 1,208.83 · 85% fit
Buy Clarins routine · SAR 1,389.25 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Questions and answers
Avène or Clarins: which is better?
Avène and Clarins both offer great options depending on your specific skin needs and goals. Avène is often preferred for soothing irritation and gentle cleansing, while Clarins tends to excel in providing luxurious textures, hydration, and a glowing finish.
What is the difference between Avène and Clarins?
Clarins generally offers more luxurious textures and glowing hydration, while Avène is better known for gentle, soothing care that calms irritation.
Avène or Clarins for dry skin?
Avène is better suited for dry skin, as the routine fit on the products on this page is High compared to Clarins having an Average fit. The products on this page help provide deep hydration and nourishment for dry skin types.
Avène or Clarins: which cleanser is better?
Avène is better for gentle and non-stripping cleansing, while Clarins is better for texture and absorption. Reviewers note that Avène cleansers provide a gentle deep clean.
Which is more affordable, Avène or Clarins?
Avène is more affordable than Clarins, as high price point and value are noted as a reviewer drawback for Avène while high price point is mostly mentioned for Clarins.
Between Avène and Clarins, which brand has a higher percentage of fragrance-free products?
Avène has a higher percentage of fragrance-free products, with 7 of its 15 products on this page listing no fragrance. In comparison, only 1 of the 24 products on the Clarins page lists no fragrance.
How do the founding years and corporate ownerships of Avène and Clarins compare?
Avène was founded in 1990 in France and is owned by Fondation Pierre Fabre, whereas Clarins was founded earlier in 1954 in France and is owned by Famille C through Groupe Clarins.
Which brand performs better for texture and absorption according to reviewers?
Clarins performs better for texture and absorption according to reviewers. The products on this page feature luxurious textures and lightweight, fast-absorbing moisturizers.
Avène or Clarins for oily skin?
Avène is better suited for oily skin, as Lovi rates its routine fit as High compared to an Average fit for Clarins. Reviewers also note that the products on this page for Avène provide effective oil control.
Avène or Clarins: which moisturizer is better?
Avène and Clarins both offer effective moisturizers, with Avène featuring high fit levels for dry skin in products like Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm, while Clarins also provides deeply hydrating options such as Hydra-Essentiel Silky Cream.
Avène or Clarins for sensitive skin?
Both Avène and Clarins are a High fit for sensitive skin on the products on this page. Avène may soothe irritation well, while Clarins is noted for luxurious textures and hydration.
Avène or Clarins for acne-prone skin?
Both Avène and Clarins fit acne-prone skin well, as the products on this page achieve a High Lovi fit level for this skin type.
Research behind their key ingredients
The Effect of Aloe Vera Clinical Trials on Prevention and Healing of Skin Wound: A Systematic Review
Molecular basis of retinol anti-ageing properties in naturally aged human skin in vivo
Effects of ascorbic acid on gingival melanin pigmentation in vitro and in vivo
Apigenin inhibits UVA-induced cytotoxicity in vitro and prevents signs of skin aging in vivo
Vitamin C-squalene bioconjugate promotes epidermal thickening and collagen production in human skin
Mechanism of action and clinical benefits of colloidal oatmeal for dermatologic practice
An oil-soluble extract of Rubus idaeus cells enhances hydration and water homeostasis in skin cells
Colloidal Oatmeal <em>(Avena Sativa)</em> Improves Skin Barrier Through Multi-Therapy Activity
Comparative benefit of two thermal spring waters after photodynamic therapy procedure
Skin improvement and stability of Echinacea purpurea dermatological formulations
The impacts of sodium lauroyl sarcosinate in facial cleanser on facial skin microbiome and lipidome
Comparison of methods for assessing photoprotection against ultraviolet A in vivo
Modulating effects of oatmeal extracts in the sodium lauryl sulfate skin irritancy model
Moisturizing effect of stable cream containing Crocus sativus extracts
Treatment with Ascorbyl Glucoside-Arginine Complex Ameliorates Solar Lentigos
Retrospective Review of Dermal Safety Studies of Organic Sunscreens
Microcirculation-Promoting Effect of Escin on Cutaneous Tissue via Gsk3β Down-Regulation
Saccharide isomerate ameliorates cosmetic scalp conditions in a Chinese study population
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.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-

Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-

Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-

Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-

Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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