CeraVe vs Avène
CeraVe and Avène are respected skincare brands, with the American brand founded in 2005 and the French brand established in 1990. CeraVe offers dependable moisturizers, gentle cleansers, targeted serums, protective sunscreens, and other daily formulas enriched with hyaluronic acid and glycerin, while Avène provides gentle moisturizers, protective sunscreens, targeted serums, and soothing cleansers formulated with glycerin. Both lines suit different needs best, as the American brand supports mature skin and dry skin, whereas the French brand suits oily acne-prone skin and combination skin. They primarily differ in their origins, ownership, and core ingredient combinations.
CeraVe is an American skincare brand founded in 2005 and owned by L'Oréal since 2017.
en.wikipedia.orghappi.comloreal-finance.comcerave.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 CeraVe and Avène products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular CeraVe vs Avène products
People Say
Fragrance-Free and Gentle Formulas Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “no burning sensation — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
- “No scent, no irritation — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
- “leaves face clean but not dry — Avène Cleanance”
- “Perfect cleanser for sensitive skin. — Avène Milk Cleanser”
Texture and Absorption Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
- “Absorbs into skin without residue — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
- “Sinks right into your skin — CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion”
- “difference in my skin's texture is noticeable — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
- “Thick but absorbs well eventually — Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream”
Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
- “Saved my dry winter skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
- “woke up with plump skin — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
- “cured my dry patches — CeraVe Eye Repair Cream”
- “Restores moisture barrier — Avène Cold Cream”
Redness and Sensitivity Soothing Rarely 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”
- “no stinging or redness — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
Acne Control and Clearing Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “dialed back oiliness — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
- “Never breaks me out — CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion”
- “helped to stop my breakout in its tracks — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
- “Keeps me matte for hours — Avène Cleanance Cleansing Gel”
Value and Price Often MentionedRarely Noted
- “reasonably priced — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
- “Huge tub lasts forever — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
- “Great everyday moisturizer — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
- “Bottle lasts for months — Avène Cleanance Cleansing Gel”
Texture and Residue Complications Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “feels like washing with conditioner — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
- “too sticky — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
- “hard to spread — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
- “leaves a white layer — Avène Hydrance+”
Breakouts and Purging Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “Gave me cystic acne — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
- “gave me closed comedones — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
- “Woke up with tiny whiteheads all over — Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream”
- “Caused small bumps/texture — Avène Soothing Radiance Mask”
Packaging and Sizing Issues 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”
- “no safety seal included — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
CeraVe vs Avène routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$25.06
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Hydrating Toner
Hydrating Toner
Morning
S$18.47
-
Moisturizer
Skin Renewing Night Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$25.05
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SPF
Daily Moisturizing Lotion
Morning
S$28.56
-
Pre-Cleanser
Micellar Cleansing Water
Evening · Once a week
S$30.72
-
Serum or Treatment
Skin Renewing Nightly Exfoliating Treatment
Evening · Once a week
S$35.46
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Collagen Essential Mask
Once a week
S$62.94
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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
-
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
Buy CeraVe routine · S$195.54 · 88% fit
Buy Avène routine · S$285.32 · 79% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit
CeraVe vs Avène 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
Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$30.40
-
Hydrating Toner
Hydrating Toner
Morning · Once a week
S$18.47
-
Moisturizer
PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$28.30
-
SPF
Daily Moisturizing Lotion
Morning
S$28.56
-
Pre-Cleanser
Micellar Cleansing Water
Evening · Once a week
S$30.72
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening · Once a week
S$36.48
-
Serum or Treatment
Skin Renewing Nightly Exfoliating Treatment
Evening · Once a week
S$35.46
-
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 CeraVe routine · S$238.51 · 80% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
CeraVe vs Avène 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
Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$30.40
-
Hydrating Toner
Hydrating Toner
Morning · Once a week
S$18.47
-
Moisturizer
Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$31.02
-
SPF
Daily Moisturizing Lotion
Morning
S$28.56
-
Pre-Cleanser
Micellar Cleansing Water
Evening · Once a week
S$30.72
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening · Once a week
S$36.48
-
Serum or Treatment
Resurfacing Retinol Serum
Evening · Once a week
S$28.62
-
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 CeraVe routine · S$262.69 · 84% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Questions and answers
CeraVe or Avène: which is better?
CeraVe provides superior fit levels for mature skin and dry sensitive skin on the products on this page, whereas Avène excels for combination skin, acne-prone skin, and oily acne-prone skin. Both brands offer fragrance-free options, but CeraVe stands out for its ceramide-dominant barrier repair lipids that help restore skin function.
What is the difference between CeraVe and Avène?
CeraVe and Avène offer products designed to address various skin concerns, with CeraVe achieving a Superior Lovi fit level for mature skin and Avène achieving a Superior fit for combination, acne-prone, and oily acne-prone skin. The products on this page for CeraVe are entirely fragrance-free, whereas some Avène products contain added fragrance. CeraVe tends to excel in texture, absorption, and hydration, while Avène is frequently noted for soothing redness and sensitivity.
CeraVe or Avène for dry skin?
CeraVe and Avène both achieve a High routine fit for dry skin on this page. CeraVe offers fragrance-free moisturizers with key ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid, whereas Avène features thermal water and glycerin in its formulations.
CeraVe or Avène: which cleanser is better?
CeraVe provides a wide selection of cleansers with strong fit levels across most skin types, featuring fragrance-free, gentle formulas. Avène also offers gentle, deep-cleansing options, but several of its cleansers contain fragrance.
Which is more affordable, CeraVe or Avène?
CeraVe is generally more affordable than Avène, as it wins on value and price among the products on this page.
CeraVe or Avène: which brand has more fragrance-free products?
CeraVe has more fragrance-free products on this page, as every single one of its products lists no fragrance in its ingredients.
CeraVe or Avène: which brand is better for mature skin?
CeraVe fits mature skin with a Superior Lovi level, whereas Avène has a High Lovi level on this page.
CeraVe or Avène: which brand is better for soothing redness and sensitivity?
Avene is better for soothing redness and sensitivity, as it outperforms CeraVe in redness and sensitivity soothing. For dry sensitive skin, the products on this page show CeraVe has a High fit level while Avene has an Average fit level.
CeraVe or Avène for oily skin?
Both CeraVe and Avène offer a high routine fit for oily skin. Reviewers note that CeraVe helps provide effective cleansers for acne and oil, while Avène is known for gentle and non-stripping sunscreens.
CeraVe or Avène: which moisturizer is better?
CeraVe offers better moisturizer options for most users on this page, as its products on this page frequently feature higher Lovi fit levels for hydration and barrier repair. CeraVe formulas include key barrier-repairing ingredients like ceramides, which help improve moisture retention and skin texture.
CeraVe or Avène for sensitive skin?
CeraVe and Avène offer an equal level of routine fit for sensitive skin, with CeraVe achieving a High fit and Avène achieving a High fit. CeraVe features fragrance-free formulas across all products on this page, while 7 of 15 Avène products on this page list fragrance.
CeraVe or Avène: which sunscreen is better?
CeraVe offers better-rated sunscreens overall, as Lovi rates its Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen, Hydrating Sheer Sunscreen SPF 30, and Ultra-Light Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30 as High or Superior for most skin types, whereas Avène has lower fit levels for several of its sunscreens.
CeraVe or Avène for acne-prone skin?
For acne-prone skin, Avène fits best with a Superior routine level, while CeraVe reaches a High routine level. Avène features products like Cleanance Sunscreen and Cleanance Cleansing Gel that help manage oil and blemishes.
Research behind their key ingredients
Molecular basis of retinol anti-ageing properties in naturally aged human skin in vivo
Topical palmitoyl pentapeptide provides improvement in photoaged human facial skin
Encapsulation and controlled release of retinol from silicone particles for topical delivery
Microneedling by dermapen and glycolic acid peel for the treatment of acne scars: Comparative study
A comparative study of gluconolactone versus benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of acne
An oil-soluble extract of Rubus idaeus cells enhances hydration and water homeostasis in skin cells
Comparative benefit of two thermal spring waters after photodynamic therapy procedure
Comparison of methods for assessing photoprotection against ultraviolet A in vivo
Nanocomplex of quaternized cyclodextrin grafted chitosan and hyaluronic acid for a skin delivery
Treatment with Ascorbyl Glucoside-Arginine Complex Ameliorates Solar Lentigos
Targeting Circadian Rhythm for the Regulation of Skin Collagen Metabolism
Retrospective Review of Dermal Safety Studies of Organic Sunscreens
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
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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
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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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