Estée Lauder vs Olay
Estée Lauder and Olay are two popular skincare choices offering comprehensive moisturizers, serums, eye products, cleansers, and more. Estée Lauder is known for formulas featuring hydrating hyaluronic acid and glycerin that suit acne-prone skin and mature skin best. Meanwhile, the brand features nourishing niacinamide and glycerin, making its products ideal for sensitive skin and acne-prone skin. The primary difference lies in their specific ingredient strengths and ideal skin types, as both brands deliver targeted solutions for diverse complexions.
Estée Lauder is an American skincare brand founded in 1946 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc..
en.wikipedia.orgelcompanies.com
This page compares some of the most popular Estée Lauder and Olay products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Estée Lauder vs Olay products
People Say
Texture smoothing and improvement Often MentionedMostly 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 like a baby's bottom — Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair”
Deep hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
- “skin drinks it up immediately — Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair”
- “The formula is incredibly hydrating and leaves my skin feeling smooth. — Estée Lauder Re-Nutriv”
- “texture is dreamy — Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Gel-Creme”
- “light and smooth — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
Lightweight and fast-absorbing feel Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
- “sinks in quickly — Olay Super Serum”
- “absorbs quickly — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
- “absorbs instantly — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
- “Absorbs quickly into the skin — Estée Lauder Revitalizing Supreme+”
Radiant glow and brightening Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “iridescent glow — Olay Super Serum”
- “hides dark shadows — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
- “skin looks brighter — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
- “gives me that glass skin look — Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair”
Gentle and non-drying cleansing Often MentionedRarely Noted
- “doesn't strip the skin — Estée Lauder Advanced Night Cleansing Gelée”
- “Lathers well — Estée Lauder Soft Clean Moisture Rich Foaming Cleanser”
- “removes all my makeup effortlessly — Estée Lauder Advanced Night Cleansing Gelée”
- “tiny beads aren't harsh — Olay Regenerating Cream Cleanser”
Makeup compatibility and base Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “doesn't pill — Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Gel-Creme”
- “layers flawlessly under foundation — Estée Lauder DayWear Moisturizer”
- “absorbs instantly — Olay Eye Lifting Serum”
- “acts as primer — Olay Super Serum”
High price and value concerns Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
- “expensive for drugstore — Olay Super Serum”
- “expensive — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
- “small quantity (0.5 oz) — Olay Eye Lifting Serum”
- “way too expensive for the size — Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair”
Bulky or poor packaging Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “lid is hard to open — Estée Lauder Advanced Night Cleansing Gelée”
- “Please make a jar or refill that is not as big and heavy. — Estée Lauder Re-Nutriv”
- “Impossible to get out — Estée Lauder Soft Clean Moisture Rich Foaming Cleanser”
- “hard to dispense — Olay Super Serum”
Scent and fragrance complaints Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “Fragrance can be an irritant — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
- “floral scent — Olay Super Serum”
- “smells like plastic — Olay Retinol24”
- “Scent is too overpowering — Estée Lauder Revitalizing Supreme+”
Estée Lauder vs Olay routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
Advanced Night Cleansing Gelée
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 75.44
-
Hydrating Toner
Micro Essence Treatment Lotion
Morning
AED 397.18
-
Moisturizer
Revitalizing Supreme+
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 605.21
- SPF DayWear Moisturizer Morning
-
Pre-Cleanser
Take It Away Makeup Remover Lotion
Evening · Once a week
AED 241.00
-
Cleansing Toner
ROUND LAB 1025 Dokdo Cleansing Water
Evening
AED 38.99
- Serum or Treatment Perfectionist Pro Evening · Once a week
-
Enzyme Powder
VT Cica Mild Powder Wash
Once a week
AED 47.62
-
Nourishing Mask
Nutritious Melting Soft Creme/Mask
Once a week
AED 247.62
-
Cleanser
Regenerating Cream Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 59.99
-
Moisturizer
Regenerist Luminous Tone Perfecting Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 218.43
-
SPF
Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream
Morning
AED 88.09
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
AED 35.29
-
Cleansing Toner
Oil Minimizing Clean Toner
Evening
AED 72.05
- Serum or Treatment Vitamin C Serum Evening · Once a week
-
Enzyme Powder
VT Cica Mild Powder Wash
Once a week
AED 47.62
-
Nourishing Mask
Mediheal Watermide Essential Mask
Once a week
AED 65.00
Buy Estée Lauder routine · AED 1,653.06 · 77% fit
Buy Olay routine · AED 586.47 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
Estée Lauder vs Olay routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
Regenerating Cream Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 59.99
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
AED 49.99
-
Moisturizer
Super Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 109.00
-
SPF
Regenerist Whip Face Moisturizer SPF 25
Morning
AED 121.67
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
AED 179.45
-
Cleansing Toner
Oil Minimizing Clean Toner
Evening
AED 72.05
- Serum or Treatment Vitamin C Serum Evening · Once a week
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
AED 101.09
-
Cleansing Mask
Revision Skincare Black Mask
Once a week
AED 204.00
-
Cleanser
Advanced Night Cleansing Gelée
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 75.44
-
Hydrating Toner
Micro Essence Treatment Lotion
Morning · Once a week
AED 397.18
-
Moisturizer
Revitalizing Supreme+
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 605.21
- SPF DayWear Moisturizer Morning
-
Pre-Cleanser
Take It Away Makeup Remover Lotion
Evening · Once a week
AED 241.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Pixi Glow Tonic
Evening
AED 120.00
- Serum or Treatment Perfectionist Pro Evening · Once a week
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
AED 101.09
-
Cleansing Mask
Revision Skincare Black Mask
Once a week
AED 204.00
Buy Olay routine · AED 897.24 · 84% fit
Buy Estée Lauder routine · AED 1,743.92 · 75% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Estée Lauder vs Olay routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Regenerating Cream Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 59.99
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
AED 145.00
-
Moisturizer
Super Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 109.00
-
SPF
Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream
Morning
AED 88.09
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
AED 179.45
-
Cleansing Toner
Oil Minimizing Clean Toner
Evening
AED 72.05
- Serum or Treatment Vitamin C Serum Evening · Once a week
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
AED 101.09
-
Cleansing Mask
KORA Organics Turmeric Brightening & Exfoliating Mask
Once a week
AED 122.93
-
Cleanser
Advanced Night Cleansing Gelée
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 75.44
-
Hydrating Toner
Micro Essence Treatment Lotion
Morning · Once a week
AED 397.18
- Moisturizer Re-Nutriv Morning · Evening · Once a week
- SPF DayWear Moisturizer Morning
-
Pre-Cleanser
Take It Away Makeup Remover Lotion
Evening · Once a week
AED 241.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
AED 53.12
-
Serum or Treatment
Advanced Night Repair
Evening · Once a week
AED 235.20
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
AED 101.09
-
Cleansing Mask
KORA Organics Turmeric Brightening & Exfoliating Mask
Once a week
AED 122.93
Buy Olay routine · AED 877.60 · 83% fit
Buy Estée Lauder routine · AED 1,225.96 · 75% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
Questions and answers
Estée Lauder or Olay: which is better?
Both Estée Lauder and Olay are great brands, with Estée Lauder leaning toward deep hydration and gentle cleansing, while Olay focuses on texture smoothing and lightweight absorption. For dry skin on the products on this page, Estée Lauder has a High routine fit while Olay has an Average fit.
What is the difference between Estée Lauder and Olay?
When comparing the products on this page, Estée Lauder generally provides deeper hydration and gentler cleansing, whereas Olay tends to offer better texture smoothing and a more lightweight feel. Reviewers note that Estée Lauder has a higher price point, while Olay receives more complaints regarding strong fragrance.
Estée Lauder or Olay for dry skin?
Estée Lauder is a better fit for dry skin, offering a High routine fit compared to Olay's Average fit on the products on this page. Estée Lauder stands out for deep hydration and moisture, while key ingredients like hyaluronic acid help improve skin quality and hydration.
Estée Lauder or Olay: which cleanser is better?
Estée Lauder offers better cleansers on this page, as they provide gentle and non-drying cleansing compared to Olay. Reviewers frequently note that Estée Lauder cleansers help maintain skin moisture without feeling harsh.
Which is more affordable, Estée Lauder or Olay?
Olay tends to have more price and value concerns reported by reviewers, whereas Estée Lauder's products on this page are frequently noted for a high price point.
Estée Lauder or Olay: which brand has more fragrance-free options?
Olay has more fragrance-free options, with 26 of its 27 products on this page listing no fragrance compared to 12 of 14 for Estée Lauder.
Estée Lauder or Olay: which is better for texture smoothing and improvement?
Olay does better for texture smoothing and improvement among the products on this page. Reviewers note that Olay provides improved texture and smoothness, while key ingredients like retinol in items such as Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer help stimulate collagen accumulation in naturally aged skin.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Archives of Dermatology, 2007
Estée Lauder or Olay: which brand offers a better routine fit for dry skin?
Estée Lauder offers a better routine fit for dry skin, achieving a High routine fit compared to Olay which has an Average fit. Estée Lauder delivers deep hydration and moisture across the products on this page.
Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Dermatologic Therapy, 2022
Estée Lauder or Olay for oily skin?
Both Estée Lauder and Olay offer products on this page that achieve a high fit level for oily skin. Estée Lauder features key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, while Olay highlights niacinamide and peptides.
Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Dermatologic Therapy, 2022
Estée Lauder or Olay: which moisturizer is better?
Both Estée Lauder and Olay offer effective moisturizers, with Estée Lauder leaning toward deep hydration and Olay excelling at texture smoothing and brightening. Lovi rates the routine fit for dry skin as High for Estée Lauder and Average for Olay, while both brands score High for oily and combination skin types on the products on this page.
Estée Lauder or Olay for sensitive skin?
Both Estée Lauder and Olay offer a high routine fit for sensitive skin on the products on this page. Estée Lauder features key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin across its formulations, while Olay highlights ingredients such as niacinamide and peptide.
Dermatologic Therapy, 2022International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2005
Estée Lauder or Olay: which sunscreen is better?
For sunscreens on this page, Estée Lauder DayWear Moisturizer receives a Superior Lovi fit level for dry sensitive skin, dry skin, sensitive skin, and mature skin, while Olay Complete All Day Moisturizer SPF 15 receives an Average or Low fit across those same skin types.
Estée Lauder or Olay for acne-prone skin?
Both Estée Lauder and Olay offer products on this page that fit acne-prone skin well, with Lovi fit levels reaching High across several options. Reviewers note that Estée Lauder provides gentle and non-drying cleansers, while Olay delivers improved texture and smoothness.
Research behind their key ingredients
Topical palmitoyl pentapeptide provides improvement in photoaged human facial skin
Molecular basis of retinol anti-ageing properties in naturally aged human skin in vivo
Chrysin protects epidermal keratinocytes from UVA- and UVB-induced damage
Vitamin C-squalene bioconjugate promotes epidermal thickening and collagen production in human skin
Reduction in the appearance of facial hyperpigmentation by topical N-acetyl glucosamine
Another Reason for Using Caffeine in Dermocosmetics: Sunscreen Adjuvant
Neuroimmunomodulatory compound for sensitive skin care: in vitro and clinical assessment
Comedogenicity in rabbit: some cosmetic ingredients/vehicles
Nanostructured Lipid Carrier for Topical Application of N-Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin recovery by Lavandula angustifolia leaf callus extract: Redox control of Nrf2 signaling
The anti wrinkle efficacy of synthetic hexapeptide (Argireline) in Chinese Subjects
Dually functionalized dendrimer for stimuli-responsive release of active ingredients into the skin
Functional properties and skin care effects of sodium trehalose sulfate
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
-

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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