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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 skincare brands offering serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and more. The Ordinary is built around hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, suiting dry and dry sensitive skin best, while Olay thoughtfully pairs niacinamide and glycerin to suit acne-prone and mature skin best. Both brands differ in their specific ingredient concentrations and targeted formulations to address distinct skincare needs.

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

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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 · A$192.91 · 96% fitBuy Olay routine · A$153.30 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

The Ordinary vs Olay routines for oily skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · A$285.78 · 92% fitBuy Olay routine · A$412.86 · 86% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

The Ordinary vs Olay routines for combination skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · A$219.69 · 91% fitBuy Olay routine · A$324.71 · 86% fitSee multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or Olay: which is better?

Both brands are great choices, but The Ordinary is typically better for value, acne-clearing serums, and sensitive skin, while Olay tends to perform better for texture, intense hydration, and brightening.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Olay?

The Ordinary excels in value and price, and its products on this page are fragrance-free, whereas Olay tends to be better for hydration and texture. Reviewers note that Olay may cause skin irritation and sensitivity more often.

The Ordinary or Olay for dry skin?

The Ordinary is a better fit for dry skin, where Lovi rates it as Superior compared to Olay at High. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin hydration and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Drug Delivery, 2017

The Ordinary or Olay: which cleanser is better?

Both brands offer cleansers on this page, but The Ordinary has products like the Glycolipid Cream Cleanser that are well-suited for a variety of skin types such as dry, oily, and sensitive skin.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Olay?

The Ordinary is more affordable than Olay, as reviewers frequently mention its serums for offering great value and low prices.

The Ordinary or Olay for dark spots?

Both The Ordinary and Olay help with dark spots, with The Ordinary rated Superior for skin with dark spots and Olay rated High. The Ordinary products on this page offer better value for dark spots, while Olay scores higher for brightening overall.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

The Ordinary or Olay for hydration and moisture?

Olay does better for hydration and moisture, featuring products on this page that help deliver intense hydration and smooth texture. Hyaluronic acid helps provide antioxidant and anti-aging effects when delivered to the skin.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Olay for sensitive skin?

The Ordinary is a better fit for sensitive skin, offering a Superior routine level compared to Olay's High level.

The Ordinary or Olay: which moisturizer is better?

When it comes to moisturizers, Olay tends to offer more intense hydration and smoother texture, whereas The Ordinary products on this page provide great value and feature formulas with no added fragrance. Topical hyaluronic acid, a key ingredient found in both brands' moisturizers, helps improve skin quality and signs of skin aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Drug Delivery, 2017

The Ordinary or Olay for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, Olay is rated Superior while The Ordinary is rated High. Review themes indicate that The Ordinary does better for acne and blemish clearing, while Olay does better for texture, absorption, and hydration.

The Ordinary or Olay for mature skin?

Both The Ordinary and Olay fit mature skin at a Superior level on this page. Olay does better for hydration and moisture, while The Ordinary offers better value and price. Retinol helps stimulate collagen accumulation in naturally aged human 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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