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The Ordinary vs Olay

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

The Ordinary and Olay are two distinct skincare lines offering serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and more to address various concerns. The Canadian brand, founded in 2016 and acquired by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. in 2021, centers its formulas around hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, making it well suited for sensitive and combination skin. Meanwhile, the second line is thoughtfully enriched with nourishing niacinamide and glycerin to support sensitive and acne-prone skin. While both rely on fundamental hydrating agents like glycerin to strengthen barrier function, they differ through targeted ingredient profiles that address specific needs like dark spots, fine lines, and texture.

The Ordinary is a Canadian skincare brand founded in 2016 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 2021.

glossy.coen.wikipedia.org

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

Popular The Ordinary vs Olay products

People Say

The OrdinaryOlay
  • Texture and Absorption Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “sinks in quickly — Olay Super Serum”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Olay Retinol24”
    • “Skin feels like silk — Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer”
    • “skin feels baby butt smooth — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
  • Hydration and Moisture Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Instantly smoother, softer, and more hydrated — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
    • “light and smooth — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
    • “hydrates the skin — Olay Advanced Eye Cream”
    • “skin feels immediately hydrated — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • Value and Price Mostly MentionedRarely Noted
    • “lasts forever — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
    • “can't beat the price — The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution”
    • “extremely affordable — The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%”
    • “Better than high-end moisturizers — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
  • Brightening and Dark Spots Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “iridescent glow — Olay Super Serum”
    • “hides dark shadows — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
    • “skin looks brighter — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
    • “scars lightened up quite a bit — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
  • Acne and Blemish Clearing Often MentionedNot noted
    • “pimples disappear within a day — The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution”
    • “scars and hormonal acne faded — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
    • “faded dark spots — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
  • Pilling and Sticky Finish Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “cakes up all over — Olay Advanced Eye Cream”
    • “pills under makeup — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
    • “feels sticky — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
    • “crumbles and piles under moisturizer — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
  • Skin Irritation and Sensitivity Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “breakouts — Olay Super Serum”
    • “burned my skin — Olay Retinol24”
    • “burning sensation — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
    • “irritated AF the next day — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”

The Ordinary vs Olay routines for dry skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · AED 542.90 · 89% fitBuy Olay routine · AED 586.47 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

The Ordinary vs Olay routines for oily skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · AED 833.82 · 91% fitBuy Olay routine · AED 897.24 · 84% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

The Ordinary vs Olay routines for combination skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · AED 712.46 · 92% fitBuy Olay routine · AED 877.60 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or Olay: which is better?

The Ordinary is a better choice for value and acne care among the products on this page, while Olay scores higher for hydration and texture. Hyaluronic acid helps maintain skin moisture across both brands.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Drug Delivery, 2017

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Olay?

The Ordinary provides better value and acne-clearing serums, whereas Olay excels in hydration, texture, and brightening. Lovi routine fit shows that The Ordinary has a Superior fit for sensitive, combination, mature, dark spot, and dry sensitive skin, while Olay fits those skin types at a High level.

The Ordinary or Olay for dry skin?

The Ordinary is a better fit for dry skin, offering a Superior routine compared to Olay's Average routine on this page. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Olay: which cleanser is better?

The Ordinary offers a better cleanser option on this page, as the Glycolipid Cream Cleanser achieves a High fit level for dry sensitive skin while the Olay Cleansing Melts rate only a Caution for that skin type.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Olay?

The Ordinary offers better value and price across the products on this page compared to Olay.

The Ordinary or Olay for dark spots?

The Ordinary is a better fit for skin with dark spots, achieving a Superior routine fit compared to Olay's High fit on this page. Reviewers report that The Ordinary does better with dark spot fading serums, and the products on this page feature key ingredients like niacinamide and vitamin C derivatives which help reduce cutaneous pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Experimental Dermatology, 2003

Which brand has better texture and absorption?

Olay does better for texture and absorption among the products on this page.

The Ordinary or Olay for oily skin?

The Ordinary is a better fit for oily skin, as Lovi rates its routine as Superior compared to Olay's High.

The Ordinary or Olay: which moisturizer is better?

Both The Ordinary and Olay offer moisturizers that excel in different areas, with The Ordinary products on this page rated Superior for dry skin routines and Olay performing better for hydration and moisture. Hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Drug Delivery, 2017

The Ordinary or Olay for sensitive skin?

The Ordinary fits sensitive skin better than Olay, as Lovi rates the routine fit for sensitive skin as Superior for The Ordinary and High for Olay. The Ordinary provides fragrance-free products on this page, while reviewers often note Olay for strong fragrance and scent issues.

The Ordinary or Olay for acne-prone skin?

Both brands fit acne-prone skin well, with Olay and the products on this page for The Ordinary both showing a High fit level.

The Ordinary or Olay for mature skin?

The Ordinary fits mature skin with a Superior Lovi level, whereas Olay has a High Lovi level. Retinol helps stimulate collagen accumulation in naturally aged skin.

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

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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