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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 established skincare brands from France and Japan that offer nourishing moisturizers, targeted serums, and gentle cleansers. The French brand is universally loved for its versatile moisturizers, reliable sunscreens, targeted serums, and gentle cleansers formulated with nourishing glycerin, while the Japanese brand is cherished for its nourishing moisturizers, targeted serums, restorative masks, clarifying toners, and gentle formulations powered by pitera. The first line suits acne-prone skin and oily acne-prone skin best, offering profound relief without heaviness, whereas the second line suits dry sensitive skin and combination skin best due to its balancing and soothing nature. Ultimately, they differ through their key ingredients and regional origins, as glycerin improves skin hydration and restores barrier function, while pitera improves pore area, 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

Buy SK-II routine · SAR 2,157.75 · 83% fitBuy Avène routine · SAR 1,135.93 · 77% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Avène vs SK-II routines for oily skin

Buy SK-II routine · SAR 1,935.93 · 89% fitBuy Avène routine · SAR 1,148.69 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Avène vs SK-II routines for combination skin

Buy SK-II routine · SAR 2,044.94 · 90% fitBuy Avène routine · SAR 1,208.83 · 85% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

Avène or SK-II: which is better?

Both Avène and SK-II are good options, as Avène provides gentle formulation and skin soothing while SK-II excels in texture and absorption and radiance and glow. For the products on this page, Avène features key ingredients like glycerin and thermal water, whereas SK-II uses Pitera.

What is the difference between Avène and SK-II?

Avène focuses on gentle formulations containing thermal water and glycerin, whereas SK-II uses Pitera across its fragrance-free line. Reviewers find that Avène does better with skin soothing and barrier repair, while SK-II performs better with texture, absorption, and radiance and glow.

Avène or SK-II for dry skin?

Both Avène and SK-II achieve a High routine fit for dry skin. Glycerin helps provide moisture across the products on this page for Avène, while Pitera serves as a key ingredient across SK-II.

Avène or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

When comparing moisturizers, Avène is a better choice for soothing irritated skin, whereas SK-II offers superior texture and absorption. Glycerin in Avène helps moisturize and soften the skin.

Which is more affordable, Avène or SK-II?

Price and cost concerns are noted more often for Avène among the products on this page, while SK-II does not have this disadvantage listed in its reviewer themes.

Between Avène and SK-II, which brand is better for combination skin?

For combination skin, SK-II does better with a Superior routine fit, while Avène achieves a High fit. Reviewers note that SK-II excels in texture and absorption, whereas Avène stands out for gentle formulation and skin soothing.

How do the founding years and corporate owners of Avène and SK-II compare?

Avène was founded in France in 1990 and is owned by Fondation Pierre Fabre, whereas SK-II was founded in Japan in 1980 and has been owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991.

Which brand performs better when it comes to gentle formulation and skin soothing?

Avène performs better when it comes to gentle formulation and skin soothing. Review themes show that Avène does better in both gentle formulation and skin soothing and barrier repair compared to SK-II.

Avène or SK-II for oily skin?

Both Avène and SK-II achieve a High routine fit level for oily skin. The products on this page for Avène are noted for effective oil control and gentle deep clean cleansers, while SK-II features every product on this page with no fragrance listed in its ingredients.

Avène or SK-II for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, both Avène and SK-II achieve a High routine fit on Lovi. Avène features gentle formulations that soothe irritation, while every product on the SK-II page lists no fragrance.

Avène or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, both brands work well, with Lovi giving SK-II a Superior routine fit and Avène a High routine fit. Every product on the SK-II page lists no fragrance, while 7 of 15 products on the Avène page contain fragrance.

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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