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Clinique vs Olay

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

Clinique and Olay are established skincare brands known for offering thoughtful ranges of moisturizers, serums, eye products, and cleansers. The former incorporates hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and caffeine to suit dry sensitive skin and oily skin best, while the latter utilizes niacinamide and glycerin to suit sensitive skin and acne-prone skin best. Ultimately, the two brands differ through their specific formulations, as the American brand owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 1968 features targeted solutions like the Clarifying Do-Over Peel, whereas both provide unique options for addressing dark spots, mature skin, and distinct complexion concerns.

Clinique is an American skincare brand founded in 1968 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc..

en.wikipedia.orgelcompanies.combusinesswire.comglossy.co

This page compares some of the most popular Clinique and Olay products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Clinique vs Olay products

People Say

CliniqueOlay
  • Lightweight and Fast Absorbing Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “sinks in quickly — Olay Super Serum”
    • “absorbs quickly — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
    • “absorbs instantly — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
    • “sinks in immediately — Clinique moisture surge”
  • Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Keeps my dry patches at bay all day — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
    • “skin feels soft and smooth — Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask”
    • “Instantly smoother, softer, and more hydrated — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
    • “light and smooth — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
  • Smoothing and Texture Improvement Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin feels baby soft — Olay Retinol24”
    • “Skin feels like silk — Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer”
    • “hydrates the skin — Olay Advanced Eye Cream”
    • “skin feels silky smooth — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
  • Gentle and Non-Irritating Formula Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “never irritated my eyes — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “No stinging eyes — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “cools the heat in my cheeks — Clinique Redness Solutions Daily Relief Cream”
    • “doesn't strip my skin — Olay Regenerating Cream Cleanser”
  • Makeup Compatibility and Base Often MentionedSometimes 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”
    • “absorbs instantly — Olay Eye Lifting Serum”
  • Brightening and Radiance Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “iridescent glow — Olay Super Serum”
    • “hides dark shadows — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
    • “skin looks brighter — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
    • “wake up glowing — Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask”
  • Price and Value Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “expensive for drugstore — Olay Super Serum”
    • “expensive — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
    • “jar is too small for the cost — Clinique moisture surge”
  • Insufficient Hydration Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “not moisturizing enough — Olay Super Serum”
    • “needs moisturizer over it — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
    • “too light for night — Olay Eye Lifting Serum”
    • “skin felt tight — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
  • Packaging Issues Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Unhygienic tub — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “prefer a pump dispenser — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “pump dispenses too much — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
    • “hard to dispense — Olay Super Serum”

Clinique vs Olay routines for dry skin

Buy Olay routine · AED 586.47 · 74% fitBuy Clinique routine · AED 1,605.23 · 66% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Clinique vs Olay routines for oily skin

Buy Olay routine · AED 897.24 · 84% fitBuy Clinique routine · AED 1,002.51 · 79% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Clinique vs Olay routines for combination skin

Buy Olay routine · AED 877.60 · 83% fitBuy Clinique routine · AED 790.89 · 72% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Clinique or Olay: which is better?

Both Clinique and Olay are great choices, with Olay standing out for acne-prone skin and skin with dark spots where Lovi gives it a High fit compared to Clinique's Average fit. Olay also tends to bring better results for smoothing and texture improvement, while Clinique is noted for a gentle and non-irritating formula.

What is the difference between Clinique and Olay?

Both Clinique and Olay provide strong options, but Olay achieves a High routine fit for acne-prone, combination, and dark spot skin where Clinique's products on this page reach an Average fit. Olay also tends to offer better results for texture improvement and brightening, while Clinique is often noted for a gentler formula and fragrance-free options across the products on this page.

Clinique or Olay for dry skin?

Both Clinique and Olay offer products on this page that have an Average fit level for dry skin. Reviewers note that Olay delivers intense hydration and improved texture, while Clinique provides hydrating moisturizers and gentle formulas.

Clinique or Olay: which cleanser is better?

Clinique is rated better for gentle and non-irritating formulas, offering cleansers like Redness Solutions Soothing Cleanser that are well-suited for sensitive skin. Meanwhile, Olay features options like Regenerating Cream Cleanser that work well for acne-prone and oily skin types.

Which is more affordable, Clinique or Olay?

Olay is more affordable, as reviewers often mention Clinique for its high price point while Olay is noted for better price and value.

Which brand has better fragrance-free options, Clinique or Olay?

Clinique is better for fragrance-free options because every product on the Clinique page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas Olay includes fragrance in at least one product.

Clinique or Olay for oily skin?

Both brands achieve a High routine fit for oily skin on the products on this page. Olay offers the products on this page with key ingredients like Niacinamide and Vitamin C, while Clinique uses ingredients like Salicylic acid and Caffeine to help control oil.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Clinique or Olay: which moisturizer is better?

Both Clinique and Olay offer hydration, but Olay stands out with High or Superior fit levels for moisturizers like Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream across multiple skin types. Hyaluronic acid helps maintain skin hydration in the products on this page.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Clinique or Olay for sensitive skin?

Both Clinique and Olay fit sensitive skin at a High level on the products on this page. Clinique is noted for its gentle and non-irritating formula, while Olay also offers fragrance-free options.

Clinique or Olay for acne-prone skin?

Olay is a better fit for acne-prone skin, as the products on this page achieve a High Lovi fit level for this skin type compared to Clinique's Average fit level.

Clinique or Olay for mature skin?

Both Clinique and Olay offer products on this page that have a High fit level for mature skin. Reviewers note that Olay does better for smoothing and texture improvement, while Clinique is noted for a gentle and non-irritating formula.

Clinique or Olay for skin with dark spots?

Olay fits skin with dark spots better, with a High routine fit compared to Clinique's Average fit on the products on this page. Olay features key ingredients like niacinamide, which helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

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

How does it fit your skin?

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