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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 respectively. The French line relies on glycerin in its gentle moisturizers, protective sunscreens, targeted serums, and soothing cleansers to best suit oily, acne-prone, and combination skin, whereas the Japanese brand offers luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, soothing masks, refreshing toners, and signature pitera formulations that suit dry and dry sensitive skin best. While glycerin improves skin hydration and restores barrier function, pitera improves pore area, roughness, and redness to promote a balanced complexion. Ultimately, both differ in their regional origins, founding years, ownership, key ingredients, and ideal skin types.

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 · S$606.78 · 93% fitBuy Avène routine · S$285.32 · 79% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Avène vs SK-II routines for oily skin

Buy SK-II routine · S$820.58 · 88% fitBuy Avène routine · S$455.29 · 86% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Avène vs SK-II routines for combination skin

Buy Avène routine · S$410.57 · 90% fitBuy SK-II routine · S$716.48 · 89% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

Avène or SK-II: which is better?

Both brands offer strong options, but Avène may be better for soothing sensitive skin while SK-II is noted for texture and radiance.

What is the difference between Avène and SK-II?

Avène and SK-II differ in their formulations and review performance, as SK-II does better for texture, absorption, radiance, and glow, while Avène is rated higher for gentle formulation, skin soothing, and barrier repair. For routine fit, SK-II rates as Superior for dry skin and dry sensitive skin, whereas Avène rates as Superior for combination skin, acne-prone skin, and oily acne-prone skin.

Avène or SK-II for dry skin?

For dry skin, Lovi rates SK-II as having a Superior routine fit, while Avène has a High fit on this page. SK-II's products feature Pitera and no added fragrance, whereas Avène relies on thermal water and glycerin with some formulas containing fragrance.

Avène or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

For moisturizers, both Avène and SK-II have strong options, with Avène featuring a high Lovi fit for dry skin through its Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm. Every SK-II product on this page lists no fragrance, whereas 7 of 15 Avène products on this page contain fragrance.

Which is more affordable, Avène or SK-II?

Avène may be more affordable than SK-II, as price and cost concerns are noted as a negative review theme for Avène while SK-II does not have this disadvantage on the page.

Which brand has more products with added fragrance, Avène or SK-II?

Avène has more products with added fragrance, as 7 of its 15 products on this page list fragrance, whereas every product from SK-II on this page lists no fragrance.

Avène or SK-II for oily skin?

For oily skin, both Avène and SK-II achieve a High routine fit on the products on this page. Reviewers note that Avène provides effective oil control and gentle deep-cleaning cleansers, while SK-II offers superior texture, absorption, and radiance.

Avène or SK-II for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, both Avène and SK-II achieve a High Lovi fit level on this page. Reviewers note that Avène provides gentler formulation, skin soothing, and barrier repair, while every product from SK-II lists no fragrance.

Avène or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, Avène offers a Superior routine fit on this page, while SK-II achieves a High fit level. The products on this page from Avène help provide effective oil control and a gentle deep clean.

Avène or SK-II for dry sensitive skin?

For dry sensitive skin, SK-II achieves a Superior routine fit on Lovi, whereas Avène reaches an Average fit. SK-II provides fragrance-free products on this page, while 8 of Avène's 15 products on this page list fragrance.

Avène or SK-II for combination skin?

Avène is better for combination skin, offering a Superior routine fit compared to the High fit from SK-II. Reviewers note that Avène provides gentle formulation and soothing barrier repair, though the products on this page may include 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

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