Clinique vs Avène
Clinique and Avène are respected skincare brands originating from America in 1968 and France in 1990, respectively. Both offer versatile moisturizers and targeted serums, though the American line incorporates hydrating hyaluronic acid, nourishing glycerin, and invigorating caffeine, while the French label relies on nourishing glycerin. The former suits dry sensitive skin and oily skin best, whereas the latter suits acne-prone skin and oily acne-prone skin best. Ultimately, they differ through their distinct founding heritages and specific ingredient combinations designed to address varied complexion needs.
Clinique is an American skincare brand founded in 1968 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc..
en.wikipedia.orgelcompanies.combusinesswire.comglossy.co
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 Clinique and Avène products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Clinique vs Avène products
People Say
Sensitive Skin and Soothing Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “never irritated my eyes — Clinique All About Eyes”
- “No stinging eyes — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
- “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”
Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
- “Keeps my dry patches at bay all day — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
- “skin feels soft and smooth — Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask”
- “glass skin look — Clinique moisture surge”
- “Restores moisture barrier — Avène Cold Cream”
Texture and Absorption Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
- “sinks in immediately — Clinique moisture surge”
- “sinks in instantly — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
- “Absorbs quickly without feeling sticky — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
- “Thick but absorbs well eventually — Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream”
Makeup Compatibility and Removal Often MentionedRarely Noted
- “Melts waterproof mascara — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
- “foundation glides on — Clinique moisture surge”
- “holds concealer in place — Clinique All About Eyes”
- “Remove a all of the makeup with ease. — Avène Milk Cleanser”
Dryness and Residue Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “Leaves a greasy film — Avène Cold Cream”
- “Left my face tight — Avène Cleanance Cleansing Gel”
- “sticky kinda feeling — Avène Hyaluron Activ B3 Concentrated Plumping Serum”
- “skin felt tight — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
Price and Value Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “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”
- “jar is too small for the cost — Clinique moisture surge”
Scents and Fragrance Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “Smells like nail polish remover — Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2”
- “Smells like old oil — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
- “Has a weird plastic-like smell — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
- “The fragrance is very present. — Avène Milk Cleanser”
Clinique vs Avène routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
Cleanance Cleansing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
£18.00
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Hydrating Toner
Dear, Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner
Morning
£11.49
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Moisturizer
Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm
Morning · Evening · Once a week
£17.56
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SPF
Ultra Fluid
Morning
£15.40
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Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
£13.58
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Serum or Treatment
Antirougeurs Fort Relief Concentrate
Evening · Once a week
£20.50
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Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
£17.00
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Cleanser
all about clean
Morning · Evening · Once a week
£16.50
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Hydrating Toner
Dear, Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner
Morning
£11.49
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Moisturizer
Smart Clinical Repair Lifting Face + Neck Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
£57.75
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SPF
Torriden DIVE-IN Mild Sunscreen
Morning
£22.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
£24.00
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Serum or Treatment
Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum
Evening · Once a week
£46.87
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Nourishing Mask
Moisture Surge Overnight Mask
Once a week
£31.50
Buy Avène routine · £93.03 · 77% fit
Buy Clinique routine · £210.11 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit
Clinique vs Avène routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
Cleanance Cleansing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
£18.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
£13.98
-
Moisturizer
Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
£12.00
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SPF
Cleanance
Morning · Evening · Once a week
£18.00
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Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
£17.00
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Cleansing Toner
Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Toner
Evening
£29.00
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Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
£19.00
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Cleansing Mask
Dr. Sebagh Deep Exfoliating Mask
Once a week
£61.99
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Cleanser
Redness Solutions Soothing Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
£20.80
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Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
£13.98
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Moisturizer
Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
£26.50
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SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
£11.29
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Pre-Cleanser
Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
£24.00
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Cleansing Toner
Clarifying Lotion 2
Evening
£16.50
- Serum or Treatment Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector Evening · Once a week
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Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
£19.00
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Cleansing Mask
Dr. Sebagh Deep Exfoliating Mask
Once a week
£61.99
Buy Avène routine · £170.97 · 86% fit
Buy Clinique routine · £194.06 · 78% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Clinique vs Avène routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Cleanance Cleansing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
£18.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
£30.37
-
Moisturizer
Hyaluron Activ B3 Concentrated Plumping Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
£29.40
-
SPF
Cleanance
Morning
£18.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
Pyunkang Yul Deep Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
£23.92
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Cleansing Toner
REN Clean Skincare Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic
Evening
£30.99
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Serum or Treatment
Vitamin Activ Cg Radiance Concentrated Serum
Evening · Once a week
£24.85
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
£19.00
-
Cleansing Mask
VT Cosmetics Cica Purifying Mask
Once a week
£19.00
-
Cleanser
all about clean
Morning · Evening · Once a week
£16.50
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
£30.37
-
Moisturizer
Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
£26.50
-
Pre-Cleanser
Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
£24.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Clarifying Lotion 2
Evening
£16.50
- Serum or Treatment Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector Evening · Once a week
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
£19.00
-
Cleansing Mask
VT Cosmetics Cica Purifying Mask
Once a week
£19.00
Buy Avène routine · £195.53 · 88% fit
Buy Clinique routine · £151.87 · 72% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
Questions and answers
Clinique or Avène: which is better?
Clinique is better for hydration and texture, while Avène is better for sensitive and acne-prone skin types. Lovi rates Avène with a High routine fit for dry skin, whereas Clinique receives an Average fit for dry skin.
What is the difference between Clinique and Avène?
Clinique is better for hydration and makeup removal, while Avène is better for acne-prone and combination skin routines. Every Clinique product on this page has no fragrance, whereas nearly half of Avène products list fragrance. Clinique has a High Lovi fit for dry sensitive skin, while Avène has an Average fit.
Clinique or Avène for dry skin?
Avène achieves a High fit for dry skin on this page, whereas Clinique is rated Average. Avène features barrier-restoring products like Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm, which is rated Superior for dry skin, and Eau Thermale Thermal Spring Water, which also has a Superior fit.
Clinique or Avène: which cleanser is better?
Clinique is better for cleansers on the products on this page, as reviewers say they are gentle and effective. Avène also offers gentle deep clean cleansers, but Clinique achieves a higher score in cleaner comparisons on this page.
Which is more affordable, Clinique or Avène?
Avène is more affordable, whereas reviewers often note that Clinique has a high price point.
Between Clinique and Avène, which brand is better suited for dry sensitive skin?
Clinique has a High routine fit for dry sensitive skin, whereas Avène has an Average routine fit for it. Every product on the Clinique page lists no fragrance in its ingredients.
How do the fragrance options compare between Clinique and Avène products?
Clinique products on this page list no fragrance in their ingredients, whereas about half of the Avène products include added fragrance. This makes Clinique a better option if you prefer completely fragrance-free skincare.
Which brand performs better when it comes to hydration and moisture according to review themes?
Clinique performs better for hydration and moisture according to review themes. Reviewers mostly mention Clinique for its hydrating moisturizers, whereas Avène is only sometimes noted for being deeply hydrating.
Clinique or Avène for oily skin?
Both Clinique and Avène offer a High Lovi fit for oily skin. The products on this page for both brands feature lightweight and fast-absorbing formulas that help control oil without clogging pores.
Clinique or Avène: which moisturizer is better?
Both brands offer moisturizers with different fit levels depending on your skin type, with Avène achieving a High routine fit for dry skin and Clinique reaching High for sensitive skin. Reviewers note that Clinique provides hydrating, lightweight, and fast-absorbing moisturizers, while Avène helps soothe irritation.
Clinique or Avène for sensitive skin?
Both Clinique and Avène have a High Lovi fit level for sensitive skin, making them strong options depending on your preference. Clinique provides fragrance-free products and excels in hydration, texture, and soothing reviews, whereas Avène contains some fragranced formulas among its products on this page.
Clinique or Avène for acne-prone skin?
Avène is better suited for acne-prone skin, offering a High Lovi fit compared to Clinique's Average fit on the products on this page.
Research behind their key ingredients
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
Vitamin C-squalene bioconjugate promotes epidermal thickening and collagen production in human skin
An oil-soluble extract of Rubus idaeus cells enhances hydration and water homeostasis in skin cells
The synergistic effect of retinyl propionate and hydroxypinacolone retinoate on skin aging
Comparative benefit of two thermal spring waters after photodynamic therapy procedure
Comparison of methods for assessing photoprotection against ultraviolet A in vivo
Algae extract protection effect on oxidized protein level in human stratum corneum
The anti wrinkle efficacy of synthetic hexapeptide (Argireline) in Chinese Subjects
Safety of a preservative system containing 1,2-hexanediol and caprylyl glycol
Functional properties and skin care effects of sodium trehalose sulfate
Treatment with Ascorbyl Glucoside-Arginine Complex Ameliorates Solar Lentigos
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
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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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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