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CeraVe vs Avène

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes · How the Fit score works

CeraVe and Avène are trusted skincare brands that offer reliable cleansers, moisturizers, serums, and sunscreens. The American brand CeraVe relies on hydrating hyaluronic acid and glycerin to best suit dry and acne-prone skin, whereas the French brand Avène utilizes nourishing glycerin to suit oily, acne-prone skin. While both lines provide profound relief, they differ through their distinct active ingredients and targeted formulations for specific concerns.

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

CeraVeAvène
  • 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

Buy CeraVe routine · £78.52 · 89% fitBuy Avène routine · £93.03 · 77% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

CeraVe vs Avène routines for oily skin

Buy Avène routine · £170.97 · 86% fitBuy CeraVe routine · £185.98 · 84% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

CeraVe vs Avène routines for combination skin

Buy Avène routine · £195.53 · 88% fitBuy CeraVe routine · £145.74 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

CeraVe or Avène: which is better?

CeraVe and Avène both offer effective options, but CeraVe rates higher for acne-prone skin with a Superior Lovi fit level compared to Avène's High fit level. CeraVe also features entirely fragrance-free products on the page, whereas several Avène products contain fragrance.

What is the difference between CeraVe and Avène?

CeraVe and Avène offer distinct formulas, with CeraVe featuring fragrance-free products across its range and key ingredients like ceramides, while Avène uses thermal spring water and includes fragrance in nearly half of the products on this page.

CeraVe or Avène for dry skin?

Both CeraVe and Avène are good options for dry skin, as Lovi rates their routines as High fit for this skin type. CeraVe offers fragrance-free moisturizers packed with ceramides that help repair the skin barrier, while Avène includes soothing options like Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm.

CeraVe or Avène: which cleanser is better?

CeraVe offers a wider range of cleansers with higher Lovi fit levels across skin types, including Superior ratings for oily and acne-prone skin on the products on this page, whereas Avène cleansers are rated Average to High for those same types. CeraVe cleansers are noted for gentle, non-stripping formulas and effective acne and oil control, while Avène cleansers are known for a gentle deep clean but some list fragrance in their ingredients.

Which is more affordable, CeraVe or Avène?

CeraVe is more affordable than Avène according to the review themes on this page.

Which brand has better fragrance-free options, CeraVe or Avène?

CeraVe has better fragrance-free options because every product on its page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas nearly half of Avène's products on this page include fragrance.

CeraVe or Avène for soothing redness and sensitivity?

Avène does better for soothing redness and sensitivity, whereas both brands have equal routine fit for sensitive skin on this page.

CeraVe or Avène for oily skin?

Both CeraVe and Avène offer a High routine fit for oily skin. Reviewers note that CeraVe features effective cleansers for acne and oil, while Avène provides effective oil control.

CeraVe or Avène: which moisturizer is better?

CeraVe generally offers better moisturizers on this page, as they are frequently noted for lightweight texture and deep hydration. Avène also provides good options, but CeraVe achieves a Superior fit level for dry skin moisturizers like PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion and Skin Renewing Night Cream.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

CeraVe or Avène for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, CeraVe provides High routine fit while Avène provides High routine fit. The products on this page from CeraVe list no fragrance in their ingredients.

CeraVe or Avène: which sunscreen is better?

CeraVe is generally better for sunscreens on this page, offering superior options like the Hydrating Sheer Sunscreen SPF 30, which has high to superior Lovi fit levels across almost all skin types. Avène also provides gentle options like Cleanance, but some of its sunscreens may have lower fit levels for dry or sensitive skin.

CeraVe or Avène for acne-prone skin?

CeraVe is better for acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates its routine as Superior compared to Avène's High fit level. The products on this page help provide effective cleansers for acne and oil.

CeraVe or Avène for mature skin?

CeraVe and Avène offer an equal High routine fit for mature skin. CeraVe formulas include retinol, which helps improve naturally aged skin.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000

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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