🇦🇪United Arab Emirates

Olay vs SK-II

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

Olay and SK-II are beloved skincare lines offering nourishing moisturizers, targeted serums, and specialized eye and face treatments enriched with powerhouse ingredients like niacinamide, glycerin, and pitera. Olay features thoughtfully formulated products that suit sensitive skin and acne-prone skin best, while the Japanese brand SK-II suits acne-prone skin and dry sensitive skin best to restore balance to the complexion. Both brands address specific concerns through standout offerings like the Regenerist Luminous Tone Perfecting Cream and the Facial Treatment Essence, though they differ as the former relies on niacinamide and glycerin, and the latter features its signature pitera.

SK-II is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1980 and owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991.

en.wikipedia.orgdiscoversk-ii.wixsite.comglossy.co

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

Popular Olay vs SK-II products

People Say

OlaySK-II
  • Texture and Smoothness Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin feels baby soft — Olay Retinol24”
    • “Skin feels like silk — Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer”
    • “skin feels soft as butter — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Radiance and Brightening Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “gives a glass skin look — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “leaves me with a red carpet glow — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Skin looks brighter — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “iridescent glow — Olay Super Serum”
  • Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Instantly smoother, softer, and more hydrated — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
    • “My skin feels so hydrated and plump. — Olay Regenerist Regenerating Serum”
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “skin feels deeply hydrated, plump, and smoother — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
  • Lightweight and Non-Greasy Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “absorbs instantly — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
    • “fragrance-free — Olay Eye Lifting Serum”
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Absorbs quickly — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
  • Fragrance-Free Formulations Often MentionedNot noted
    • “No irritation at all — Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer”
    • “no scent — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
    • “love that it's fragrance-free — Olay Retinol24”
  • Makeup Compatibility Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “absorbs instantly — Olay Eye Lifting Serum”
    • “acts as primer — Olay Super Serum”
    • “concealer sits better — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
    • “Removes leftover dirt — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
  • Fragrance and Scent Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Fragrance can be an irritant — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
    • “floral scent — Olay Super Serum”
    • “smells like plastic — Olay Retinol24”
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Lack of Results Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “no difference — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
    • “didn't see a difference — Olay Retinol24”
    • “No difference in lines — Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”

Olay vs SK-II routines for dry skin

Buy SK-II routine · AED 2,470.10 · 82% fitBuy Olay routine · AED 586.47 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Olay vs SK-II routines for oily skin

Buy SK-II routine · AED 2,468.63 · 88% fitBuy Olay routine · AED 897.24 · 84% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Olay vs SK-II routines for combination skin

Buy SK-II routine · AED 2,424.45 · 88% fitBuy Olay routine · AED 877.60 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Olay or SK-II: which is better?

When comparing the products on this page, both Olay and SK-II are great choices, but Olay stands out for fragrance-free formulations and makeup compatibility, while SK-II does better for radiance and brightening. For dry skin, SK-II achieves a High routine fit while Olay reaches an Average fit, though both brands perform equally well for most other skin types.

What is the difference between Olay and SK-II?

Olay and SK-II are both owned by The Procter and Gamble Company, but Olay offers far more products on this page with a wide range of everyday ingredients like niacinamide and peptides. Reviewers find that SK-II does better for radiance and brightening, while Olay scores better for fragrance-free options and makeup compatibility. For routine fit, Olay has a Superior fit for mature skin with items like Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream, whereas SK-II achieves a Superior fit for acne-prone skin with options like Genoptics Ultraura Essence.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Olay or SK-II for dry skin?

SK-II is a better fit for dry skin with a High routine fit, while Olay has an Average routine fit. Niacinamide helps control skin aging and pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Olay or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

Both Olay and SK-II offer moisturizers with a High routine fit for dry skin, though SK-II reaches a High fit level while Olay ranges from Average to Superior depending on the specific product. Niacinamide helps improve skin pigmentation and aging, which is a key ingredient found across Olay moisturizers.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Which is more affordable, Olay or SK-II?

The products on this page do not list pricing information, so a direct comparison of affordability between Olay and SK-II cannot be made.

Which brand offers better fragrance-free formulations?

Olay does better for fragrance-free formulations because the products on this page include many fragrance-free options, whereas SK-II lists no fragrance across its whole range.

Which brand performs better for radiance and brightening?

SK-II performs better for radiance and brightening among the products on this page.

Olay or SK-II for oily skin?

Both Olay and SK-II are good options for oily skin, as the products on this page help provide a lightweight feel. Reviewers note that both brands perform equally well for lightweight and non-greasy application.

Olay or SK-II for sensitive skin?

Olay and SK-II are both a High fit for sensitive skin on this page, offering gentle routines and fragrance-free products.

Olay or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, both Olay and SK-II are good options, with SK-II achieving a superior routine fit level. Reviewers on the page indicate that Olay helps improve texture and provides intense hydration.

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?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play