Avène vs Clarins
Avène and Clarins are two respected French skincare brands offering thoughtful selections of moisturizers, serums, and cleansers designed to nurture different complexions. The former utilizes glycerin to hydrate and restore barrier function, suiting oily, acne-prone, and combination skin best with essentials like the Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm, Cleanance, and Hyaluron Activ B3 Concentrated Plumping Serum. Meanwhile, the latter enriches its gentle formulas with shea butter to reduce redness and protect, and squalane to increase collagen and fight damage, making both sensitive and acne-prone skin care effortless through items such as the Double Serum Light Texture, Extra-Firming Day Cream, and Super Restorative Night Cream. While both brands care deeply for complexions with specialized offerings, they differ in their foundational ingredients and the specific skin types they prioritize.
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
S$27.51
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Hydrating Toner
COSRX Propolis Synergy Toner
Morning
S$41.07
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Moisturizer
Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$50.68
-
SPF
Cleanance
Morning
S$27.51
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
S$39.68
-
Serum or Treatment
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
Evening · Once a week
S$63.44
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Collagen Essential Mask
Once a week
S$62.94
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Cleanser
Gentle Foaming Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$39.39
-
Hydrating Toner
Hydrating Toning Lotion
Morning
S$42.13
-
Moisturizer
Hydra-Essentiel Silky Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$72.82
-
SPF
thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen SPF 50+
Morning
S$21.09
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
S$39.68
-
Serum or Treatment
Double Serum
Evening · Once a week
S$150.00
-
Nourishing Mask
Extra-Firming Mask
Once a week
S$105.32
Buy Avène routine · S$285.32 · 79% fit
Buy Clarins routine · S$247.61 · 75% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit
Avène vs Clarins routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
Cleanance Cleansing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$27.51
-
Hydrating Toner
TROIAREUKE H+Cocktail Purifying Ampoule Toner
Morning · Once a week
S$168.51
-
Moisturizer
Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$26.35
-
SPF
Cleanance
Morning
S$27.51
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
S$70.21
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening · Once a week
S$36.48
-
Serum or Treatment
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
Evening · Once a week
S$63.44
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
S$89.14
-
Cleanser
Gentle Foaming Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$39.39
-
Hydrating Toner
Hydrating Toning Lotion
Morning · Once a week
S$42.13
-
Moisturizer
Super Restorative Décolleté and Neck Concentrate
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$146.74
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
S$28.72
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
S$70.21
-
Cleansing Toner
Purifying Toning Lotion
Evening · Once a week
S$39.39
-
Serum or Treatment
Double Serum
Evening · Once a week
S$150.00
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
S$89.14
Buy Avène routine · S$455.29 · 86% fit
Buy Clarins routine · S$455.72 · 75% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
Avène vs Clarins routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Cleanance Cleansing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$27.51
-
Hydrating Toner
Whamisa Organic Flowers Toner Deep Rich
Morning · Once a week
S$64.81
-
Moisturizer
Hyaluron Activ B3 Concentrated Plumping Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$58.98
-
SPF
Cleanance
Morning
S$27.51
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
S$70.21
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening · Once a week
S$36.48
-
Serum or Treatment
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
Evening · Once a week
S$63.44
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
S$89.14
-
Cleanser
Gentle Foaming Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$39.39
-
Hydrating Toner
Hydrating Toning Lotion
Morning · Once a week
S$42.13
-
Moisturizer
Super Restorative Décolleté and Neck Concentrate
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$146.74
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
S$28.72
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
S$70.21
-
Cleansing Toner
Purifying Toning Lotion
Evening · Once a week
S$39.39
-
Serum or Treatment
Double Serum
Evening · Once a week
S$150.00
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
S$89.14
Buy Avène routine · S$410.57 · 90% fit
Buy Clarins routine · S$455.72 · 77% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Questions and answers
Avène or Clarins: which is better?
Avène and Clarins both offer strong routines across multiple skin types, but Avène provides superior fit levels for combination and acne-prone skin, while Clarins is often noted for luxurious textures and hydration. Reviewers frequently praise Avène for gentle, non-stripping cleansers and soothing irritation, whereas Clarins is noted for its hydrating and glowing serums.
What is the difference between Avène and Clarins?
Clarins generally delivers more luxurious textures and glowing hydration, whereas Avène excels at gentle cleansing and soothing irritation. For scent sensitivity, Avène may be preferred since nearly half of the products on this page list no fragrance, compared to almost all Clarins products.
Avène or Clarins for dry skin?
Both Avène and Clarins have a High routine fit level for dry skin on this page. Clarins features hydrating moisturizers and glowing serums that help provide luxurious textures, while Avène offers soothing thermal water and gentle cleansers that help calm dry skin.
Avène or Clarins: which cleanser is better?
Avène is better for gentle and non-stripping cleansing, outperforming Clarins in that review theme on this page. Reviewers frequently note that Avène cleansers provide a gentle deep clean.
Which is more affordable, Avène or Clarins?
Avène is generally more affordable than Clarins, although some reviewers note high price points for both brands.
Which brand has more fragrance-free products, Avène or Clarins?
Avène has more fragrance-free products on the page than Clarins, listing 7 out of 15 products without fragrance compared to only 1 out of 24 for Clarins.
Avène or Clarins for oily skin?
Both Avène and Clarins offer a High routine fit for oily skin. Avène features sunscreens and cleansers that help control oil gently, while Clarins products on this page are more often noted for providing a dewy and glowing finish.
Avène or Clarins: which moisturizer is better?
Clarins delivers better results for hydration and luxurious textures across its moisturizers, while Avène focuses more on soothing irritation for sensitive skin. Both brands offer products with a High fit level for dry skin on the products on this page.
Avène or Clarins for sensitive skin?
Both Avène and Clarins offer a High routine fit for sensitive skin on the products on this page. Reviewers note that Avène helps soothe irritation, while Clarins provides luxurious textures and hydration.
Avène or Clarins for acne-prone skin?
Avène is better suited for acne-prone skin, as the products on this page achieve a Superior routine fit compared to Clarins' High fit. Avène also features a higher count of fragrance-free options and is recognized by reviewers for offering gentle cleansers.
Avène or Clarins for dry sensitive skin?
Clarins is better suited for dry sensitive skin, achieving a High routine fit on this page compared to Avène's Average fit. Clarins offers a range of heavily hydrating products for this skin type, such as Hydra-Essentiel Silky Cream, which helps lock in moisture.
Avène or Clarins for combination skin?
Avène is better suited for combination skin, offering a superior Lovi fit level compared to Clarins on this page. Reviewers frequently note that Avène provides effective oil control and lightweight textures.
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
-

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
-

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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