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Simple vs Olay

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

Simple and Olay are established skincare lines thoughtfully crafted to nurture various complexions. The British brand is known for its gentle moisturizers, makeup removers, cleansers, and toners enriched with niacinamide and glycerin, suiting oily skin and acne-prone skin best. Meanwhile, Olay is recognized for its nourishing moisturizers, eye products, serums, and cleansers featuring the same key ingredients, which suit sensitive skin and acne-prone skin best. While both rely on niacinamide to reduce hyperpigmentation, improve wrinkles, and address aging signs alongside glycerin for hydration and barrier support, they differ primarily in their product ranges and target skin profiles.

Simple is a British skincare brand founded in 1960 and owned by Unilever PLC since 2011.

en.wikipedia.orgsec.govprnewswire.comsimple.co.uk

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

Popular Simple vs Olay products

People Say

SimpleOlay
  • Gentle on sensitive skin Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Does not cause any form of irritation on the skin which I love. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “The only cleanser that doesn't turn my face red. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “no artificial perfume — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “fragrance-free — Olay Eye Lifting Serum”
  • Hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “banished dryness within days — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “Instantly boosts skin's hydration... face doesn't feel dry and tight. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “Instantly smoother, softer, and more hydrated — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
    • “light and smooth — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy feel Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
    • “absorbs very quickly — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “absorbs quickly — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
    • “absorbs instantly — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
  • Fragrance-free formula Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Love that it has absolutely no scent. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “love that it's alcohol-free — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
    • “No strong smell — Simple Refreshing Facial Wash”
    • “no scent — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
  • Improves skin texture Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin feels baby soft — Olay Retinol24”
    • “Skin feels like silk — Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer”
    • “velvety soft skin — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
  • Affordable price point and value Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “great value for money — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
    • “super affordable — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “Can't beat the price for the quality. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “Better than high-end moisturizers — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
  • Caused breakouts and skin reactions Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Gave me tiny bumps on my forehead. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “caused major breakouts — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “caused cystic acne — Olay Retinol24”
    • “Caused breakouts — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
  • Packaging and leaking issues Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Worried about the snap top bottle leaking when travelling. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “The cap broke off immediately. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “hard to get last bit out — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “hard to dispense — Olay Super Serum”
  • Residue and film left on skin Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Feels slimy on skin — Simple Refreshing Facial Wash”
    • “Still feeling a little bit of a film on my skin. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “Wake up feeling a bit greasy — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
    • “cakes up all over — Olay Advanced Eye Cream”

Simple vs Olay routines for dry skin

Buy Simple routine · AED 455.14 · 83% fitBuy Olay routine · AED 586.47 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Simple vs Olay routines for oily skin

Buy Simple routine · AED 790.31 · 88% fitBuy Olay routine · AED 897.24 · 84% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Simple vs Olay routines for combination skin

Buy Simple routine · AED 644.67 · 85% fitBuy Olay routine · AED 877.60 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Simple or Olay: which is better?

Simple stands out for its budget-friendly price point and gentleness on sensitive skin, whereas Olay does better at improving skin texture. The products on this page for both brands share key ingredients like niacinamide and glycerin to help hydrate the skin.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

What is the difference between Simple and Olay?

Simple offers more affordable, value-friendly pricing and 100 percent fragrance-free options on the products on this page, whereas Olay does better at improving skin texture. Both brands feature key ingredients like niacinamide and glycerin to help hydrate the skin.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Simple or Olay for dry skin?

Simple is a better choice for dry skin, as the routine fit on this page is High while Olay has an Average routine fit for dry skin. The products on this page for Simple also provide lightweight moisturizers that help deliver gentle hydration.

Simple or Olay: which cleanser is better?

When it comes to cleansers, Simple offers products on this page that are more gentle on sensitive skin, whereas Olay does better at improving skin texture.

Which is more affordable, Simple or Olay?

Simple is more affordable, as it is known for providing value-friendly moisturizers and an affordable price point.

Simple or Olay: which brand is more gentle on sensitive skin?

Simple is more gentle on sensitive skin, as reviewers note it provides a better experience for sensitive skin than Olay.

Which brand has more fragrance-free options, Simple or Olay?

Simple has more fragrance-free options because every product on this page for Simple lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas Olay includes fragrance in one of its products on this page.

Simple or Olay: which is better for improving skin texture?

Olay is better than Simple for improving skin texture, as it is noted by reviewers for delivering improved texture and smoothness. Ingredients like retinol in Olay products may help stimulate collagen accumulation and improve photoaged skin.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Archives of Dermatology, 2007

Simple or Olay for oily skin?

Both Simple and Olay achieve a High fit for oily skin with the products on this page. Olay also improves skin texture.

Simple or Olay: which moisturizer is better?

When comparing moisturizers, Simple offers lightweight and value-friendly options with no fragrance listed on this page, while Olay provides intense hydration and helps improve skin texture. Olay features key ingredients like Niacinamide and Hyaluronic acid, which may help support anti-aging and skin quality.

Antioxidants, 2021Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Simple or Olay for sensitive skin?

Simple is better for sensitive skin because it is more gentle and every product on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients. Olay also offers great options for sensitive skin, but Simple is specifically noted for being gentler.

Simple or Olay for acne-prone skin?

Both Simple and Olay provide options for acne-prone skin, with the products on this page rated as a High routine fit for Olay and a High fit for Simple. Niacinamide, a key ingredient featured across both brands, may help reduce cutaneous pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

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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