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Clinique vs Olay

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

Clinique and Olay are established skincare lines offering thoughtful collections of moisturizers, serums, eye products, and more. The former incorporates hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and caffeine, while both rely on nourishing glycerin, suiting dry sensitive skin, oily skin, and sensitive skin respectively through their balancing formulations. They differ in their standout targeted solutions and key ingredients, as the first brand features the Clarifying Do-Over Peel, the for Men Oil-Free Moisturizer, and the Smart Clinical Repair Lifting Face + Neck Cream, whereas the latter utilizes niacinamide to provide reliable care for diverse complexions.

Clinique is an American skincare brand founded in 1968 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc..

en.wikipedia.orgelcompanies.combusinesswire.comglossy.co

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

Popular Clinique vs Olay products

People Say

CliniqueOlay
  • Lightweight and Fast Absorbing Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “sinks in quickly — Olay Super Serum”
    • “absorbs quickly — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
    • “absorbs instantly — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
    • “sinks in immediately — Clinique moisture surge”
  • Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Keeps my dry patches at bay all day — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
    • “skin feels soft and smooth — Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask”
    • “Instantly smoother, softer, and more hydrated — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
    • “light and smooth — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
  • Smoothing and Texture Improvement Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin feels baby soft — Olay Retinol24”
    • “Skin feels like silk — Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer”
    • “hydrates the skin — Olay Advanced Eye Cream”
    • “skin feels silky smooth — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
  • Gentle and Non-Irritating Formula Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “never irritated my eyes — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “No stinging eyes — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “cools the heat in my cheeks — Clinique Redness Solutions Daily Relief Cream”
    • “doesn't strip my skin — Olay Regenerating Cream Cleanser”
  • Makeup Compatibility and Base Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Melts waterproof mascara — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “foundation glides on — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “holds concealer in place — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “absorbs instantly — Olay Eye Lifting Serum”
  • Brightening and Radiance Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “iridescent glow — Olay Super Serum”
    • “hides dark shadows — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
    • “skin looks brighter — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
    • “wake up glowing — Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask”
  • Price and Value Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “expensive for drugstore — Olay Super Serum”
    • “expensive — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
    • “jar is too small for the cost — Clinique moisture surge”
  • Insufficient Hydration Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “not moisturizing enough — Olay Super Serum”
    • “needs moisturizer over it — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
    • “too light for night — Olay Eye Lifting Serum”
    • “skin felt tight — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
  • Packaging Issues Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Unhygienic tub — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “prefer a pump dispenser — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “pump dispenses too much — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
    • “hard to dispense — Olay Super Serum”

Clinique vs Olay routines for dry skin

Buy Olay routine · CA$156.85 · 82% fitBuy Clinique routine · CA$469.99 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Clinique vs Olay routines for oily skin

Buy Olay routine · CA$298.41 · 83% fitBuy Clinique routine · CA$386.05 · 78% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Clinique vs Olay routines for combination skin

Buy Olay routine · CA$250.43 · 82% fitBuy Clinique routine · CA$322.06 · 75% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Clinique or Olay: which is better?

Olay is better for smoothing, brightening, and acne-prone skin, while Clinique is better for gentle and non-irritating formulas.

What is the difference between Clinique and Olay?

Olay delivers a High routine fit for dry skin, whereas Clinique reaches an Average fit there. Reviewers indicate that Olay does better for smoothing, texture improvement, and brightening, while Clinique is preferred for a gentle, non-irritating formula and makeup compatibility.

Clinique or Olay for dry skin?

Olay is a better fit for dry skin, as Lovi rates its routine as High compared to Clinique's Average fit level. Topical hyaluronic acid, which is found across the products on this page, helps provide intensive moisture and improves skin quality in aging and dry skin.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Drug Delivery, 2017

Clinique or Olay: which cleanser is better?

Clinique is better for gentle cleansers, as the products on this page are rated as a High fit for dry and sensitive skin. Olay features a wider variety of cleansers with strong ratings for acne-prone and oily skin, but reviewers note that Olay may involve strong fragrance issues.

Which is more affordable, Clinique or Olay?

Olay is more affordable, whereas reviewers often note Clinique for its high price point.

Clinique or Olay: which offers better fragrance-free options?

Clinique is the better choice for fragrance-free options because every product on the Clinique page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas Olay includes fragrance in at least one product.

Clinique or Olay for oily skin?

Both Clinique and Olay are a High fit for oily skin. Reviewers note that Olay brings lightweight feel while Clinique provides oil-controlling moisturizers.

Clinique or Olay: which moisturizer is better?

Olay is better for moisturizers overall, as the products on this page achieve a High routine fit for dry skin compared to Clinique's Average fit. Olay also tends to provide better results for texture and hydration, while Clinique is known for offering completely fragrance-free options across its line.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Drug Delivery, 2017

Clinique or Olay for sensitive skin?

Both Clinique and Olay are great choices for sensitive skin, with Lovi giving both brands a High routine fit level. Reviewers note that Clinique provides a gentle and non-irritating formula, while Olay offers fragrance-free options.

Clinique or Olay for acne-prone skin?

Olay is a better choice for acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates its routine as High compared to Clinique's Average fit level.

Clinique or Olay for mature skin?

Both Clinique and Olay are great choices for mature skin, as Lovi rates their routines as High and Equal respectively. Olay also tends to perform better for smoothing and texture improvement.

Clinique or Olay for skin with dark spots?

Olay is the better choice for skin with dark spots because the products on this page achieve a Superior Lovi fit level for this concern. Niacinamide, a key ingredient featured across Olay products, helps 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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