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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 skincare brands known for their thoughtful moisturizers, serums, and targeted solutions. Olay pairs niacinamide and glycerin to suit acne-prone and mature skin, while SK-II anchors its formulas in pitera for acne-prone and dry skin. Both brands offer distinct standout products, though they differ in their signature ingredients and specific benefits.

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 · A$1,400.12 · 90% fitBuy Olay routine · A$153.30 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Olay vs SK-II routines for oily skin

Buy SK-II routine · A$1,436.99 · 89% fitBuy Olay routine · A$412.86 · 86% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Olay vs SK-II routines for combination skin

Buy SK-II routine · A$1,429.91 · 88% fitBuy Olay routine · A$324.71 · 86% fitSee multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

Olay or SK-II: which is better?

Olay is better for mature skin and fragrance-free options among the products on this page, while SK-II does better for radiance and brightening. Reviewers also note that Olay offers better makeup compatibility, though it faces more complaints about lack of results.

What is the difference between Olay and SK-II?

Olay and SK-II are both owned by The Procter and Gamble Company, but Olay was founded in 1952 while SK-II was founded in 1980 in Japan. Olay features a larger variety of products on this page containing ingredients like niacinamide and peptides, whereas SK-II centers its formulations around its signature ingredient, Pitera.

Olay or SK-II for dry skin?

For dry skin, SK-II is the better choice because Lovi rates its routine fit as Superior, compared to High for Olay.

Olay or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

Both Olay and SK-II offer exceptional moisturizers, with Olay standing out for mature skin and SK-II providing a superior routine fit for dry skin. The products on this page help deliver intense hydration and improved texture using key ingredients like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Drug Delivery, 2017

Which is more affordable, Olay or SK-II?

This page does not contain pricing information, so a comparison of affordability between Olay and SK-II cannot be made.

Between Olay and SK-II, which brand does better for radiance and brightening?

SK-II does better for radiance and brightening compared to Olay based on the review themes on this page.

How do the founding years and corporate ownership of Olay and SK-II compare?

Olay was founded in 1952 and has been owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1985. SK-II was founded later in 1980 in Japan and has been owned by the same company since 1991.

Which brand offers better fragrance-free formulations between Olay and SK-II?

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

Olay or SK-II for oily skin?

Both Olay and SK-II are good options for oily skin, as the products on this page achieve an equal fit level of High for this skin type.

Olay or SK-II for sensitive skin?

Olay and SK-II are both a High fit for sensitive skin. Reviewers note that Olay offers more fragrance-free options across the products on this page.

Olay or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

Both Olay and SK-II achieve a Superior fit for acne-prone skin on this page, making them equally good options.

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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