Medicube vs Olay
Medicube and Olay are two skincare brands offering moisturizers, serums, and other treatments formulated with key ingredients like niacinamide. Medicube is a Korean brand founded in 2016 and owned by APR Corp. that harnesses collagen and hyaluronic acid, suiting dry and oily acne-prone skin best with targeted products like the AGE-R Booster Gel, Deep Peptide Radiance Mask, and Deep Lifting Peptide Eye Cream. Olay is universally loved for relying on glycerin to suit sensitive and oily skin, providing standout options such as the Super Eyes Daily Eye Serum, Regenerist Luminous Tone Perfecting Cream, and Brightening Eye Cream. While both brands use niacinamide to improve aging and pigmentation, the former differs by focusing on deep hydration and elasticity through specialized gels and masks, whereas the latter emphasizes gentle barrier function and everyday moisture.
Medicube is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2016 and owned by APR Corp..
medicubereviews.co.ukglossy.co
This page compares some of the most popular Medicube and Olay products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Medicube vs Olay products
People Say
Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “skin feels bouncier and hydrated — Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum”
- “glass skin — Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Gel Mask”
- “Instantly smoother, softer, and more hydrated — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
- “light and smooth — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
Skin Texture and Smoothness Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “skin feels baby soft — Olay Retinol24”
- “Skin feels like silk — Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer”
- “hydrates the skin — Olay Advanced Eye Cream”
- “gives my skin a smooth, glass-like finish — Medicube Zero Pore Pad”
Glow and Brightening Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “gave me instant glass skin — Medicube Collagen Jelly Cream”
- “woke up with glowing skin — Medicube Collagen Night Wrapping Mask”
- “iridescent glow — Olay Super Serum”
- “hides dark shadows — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
Gentle and Soothing Care Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “refreshing sensation — Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Gel Mask”
- “calming the skin — Medicube Red Succinic Acid Peeling Pad”
- “tiny beads aren't harsh — Olay Regenerating Cream Cleanser”
- “fragrance-free — Olay Eye Lifting Serum”
Lightweight and Fast Absorbing Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
- “sinks in quickly — Olay Super Serum”
- “absorbs quickly — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
- “absorbs instantly — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
- “dries super fast — Medicube Zero Pore Blackhead Mud Mask”
Pores and Cleansing Often MentionedNot noted
- “Pores drastically reduced — Medicube Zero Foam Cleanser”
- “Mochi-like foam — Medicube Zero Foam Cleanser”
- “Removes every trace of oil — Medicube Red Foam Cleanser”
Sticky or Heavy Residue Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “Wake up feeling a bit greasy — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
- “cakes up all over — Olay Advanced Eye Cream”
- “feels like a coating — Olay Regenerating Cream Cleanser”
- “hair sticks to my face — Medicube Collagen Jelly Cream”
Strong Scent or Fragrance Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “Fragrance can be an irritant — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
- “floral scent — Olay Super Serum”
- “smells like plastic — Olay Retinol24”
- “slightly fishy smell — Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum”
Value and Pricing Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “expensive for drugstore — Olay Super Serum”
- “expensive — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
- “small quantity (0.5 oz) — Olay Eye Lifting Serum”
- “tube is tiny for the price — Medicube Collagen Night Wrapping Mask”
Medicube vs Olay routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
Zero Foam Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$22.31
-
Hydrating Toner
Triple Collagen Toner
Morning
CA$23.45
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Moisturizer
AGE-R Booster Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$25.23
-
SPF
d'Alba Piedmont Waterfull Mild Sunscreen
Morning
CA$38.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
CA$17.99
-
Serum or Treatment
One Day Exosome Shot 2000
Evening · Once a week
CA$28.49
-
Nourishing Mask
Deep Peptide Radiance Mask
Once a week
CA$18.35
-
Cleanser
Regenerating Cream Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$44.92
-
Hydrating Toner
Dear, Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner
Morning
CA$27.99
-
Moisturizer
Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$35.96
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
CA$17.99
- Serum or Treatment Vitamin C Serum Evening · Once a week
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
CA$29.99
Buy Medicube routine · CA$173.82 · 91% fit
Buy Olay routine · CA$156.85 · 82% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit
Medicube vs Olay routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
Red Foam Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$25.50
-
Hydrating Toner
Triple Collagen Toner
Morning · Once a week
CA$23.45
-
Moisturizer
AGE-R Booster Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$25.23
-
SPF
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Dry Touch Sunscreen SPF 60
Morning
CA$35.95
-
Pre-Cleanser
Pyunkang Yul Deep Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
CA$23.99
-
Cleansing Toner
Zero Pore Pad
Evening
CA$33.99
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
CA$29.50
-
Cleansing Mask
Zero Pore Blackhead Mud Mask
Once a week
CA$26.29
-
Cleanser
Regenerating Cream Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$44.92
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
CA$37.60
-
Moisturizer
Super Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$18.98
-
SPF
Regenerist Whip Face Moisturizer SPF 25
Morning
CA$38.94
-
Pre-Cleanser
Pyunkang Yul Deep Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
CA$23.99
-
Cleansing Toner
Oil Minimizing Clean Toner
Evening
CA$9.48
- Serum or Treatment Vitamin C Serum Evening · Once a week
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
CA$29.50
-
Cleansing Mask
Tatcha The Clarifying Clay Mask
Once a week
CA$95.00
Buy Medicube routine · CA$223.90 · 88% fit
Buy Olay routine · CA$298.41 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
Medicube vs Olay routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Red Foam Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$25.50
-
Hydrating Toner
Triple Collagen Toner
Morning · Once a week
CA$23.45
-
Moisturizer
AGE-R Booster Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$25.23
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
CA$20.96
-
Pre-Cleanser
Pyunkang Yul Deep Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
CA$23.99
-
Cleansing Toner
Zero Pore Pad
Evening
CA$33.99
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
CA$29.50
-
Cleansing Mask
Zero Pore Blackhead Mud Mask
Once a week
CA$26.29
-
Cleanser
Regenerating Cream Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$44.92
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
CA$37.60
-
Moisturizer
Super Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$18.98
-
SPF
Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream
Morning
CA$35.96
-
Pre-Cleanser
Pyunkang Yul Deep Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
CA$23.99
-
Cleansing Toner
Oil Minimizing Clean Toner
Evening
CA$9.48
- Serum or Treatment Vitamin C Serum Evening · Once a week
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
CA$29.50
-
Cleansing Mask
Origins Original Skin Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay
Once a week
CA$50.00
Buy Medicube routine · CA$208.91 · 88% fit
Buy Olay routine · CA$250.43 · 82% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
Questions and answers
Medicube or Olay: which is better?
Both Medicube and Olay offer strong options, with Medicube performing better for dry skin while Olay stands out for texture, lightweight feel, and value. For the products on this page, Niacinamide helps control skin aging and pigmentation, and topical hyaluronic acid benefits skin quality.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Dermatologic Therapy, 2022
What is the difference between Medicube and Olay?
Medicube offers superior routines for dry skin, while Olay scores high across most skin types with better scores for texture and lightweight feel. Both brands feature key ingredients like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid to help improve skin quality.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Dermatologic Therapy, 2022
Medicube or Olay for dry skin?
Medicube is a better fit for dry skin, offering a Superior routine compared to Olay's High routine fit. The products on this page help deliver deep hydration and a radiant glow, though some reviewers note sticky residue.
Medicube or Olay: which cleanser is better?
Medicube is better for pores and cleansing among the products on this page, while Olay offers fragrance-free options. Medicube has a high fit for dry skin, dry sensitive skin, sensitive skin, and oily skin with its cleansers.
Which is more affordable, Medicube or Olay?
Olay is more affordable, as the products on this page often face pricing issues with Medicube.
Medicube or Olay: which brand has more products containing fragrance?
Medicube has more products containing fragrance on the page, with 2 of its products listing fragrance compared to only 1 for Olay.
Medicube or Olay: which brand does better for pores and cleansing according to review themes?
Medicube does better for pores and cleansing according to review themes comparing the two brands.
Medicube or Olay: which brand has a better routine fit for dry skin?
Medicube has a better routine fit for dry skin, offering a Superior routine fit compared to Olay's High routine fit for the products on this page. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin hydration and signs of aging.
Medicube or Olay for oily skin?
Both Medicube and Olay offer a High routine fit for oily skin, with Medicube standing out for pores and cleansing. Niacinamide helps control skin aging and pigmentation.
Medicube or Olay: which moisturizer is better?
Medicube offers superior moisturizers for dry skin with a Superior Lovi fit level, whereas Olay provides a High Lovi fit level for dry skin. Topical application of hyaluronic acid helps improve skin hydration and signs of aging.
Medicube or Olay for sensitive skin?
Both brands are a High fit for sensitive skin, but Medicube stands out with 23 of 25 products on this page listing no fragrance. Hyaluronic acid helps provide deep hydration, while niacinamide may soothe the skin and reduce irritation.
Medicube or Olay for acne-prone skin?
Medicube fits acne-prone skin well with products on this page rated High for this skin type. Niacinamide in these formulas helps control skin aging and pigmentation.
Research behind their key ingredients
Topical palmitoyl pentapeptide provides improvement in photoaged human facial skin
Molecular basis of retinol anti-ageing properties in naturally aged human skin in vivo
Apigenin inhibits UVA-induced cytotoxicity in vitro and prevents signs of skin aging in vivo
Effect of Camellia japonica oil on human type I procollagen production and skin barrier function
Reduction in the appearance of facial hyperpigmentation by topical N-acetyl glucosamine
Protective effects of Camellia japonica flower extract against urban air pollutants
Microneedling by dermapen and glycolic acid peel for the treatment of acne scars: Comparative study
A comparative study of gluconolactone versus benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of acne
The synergistic effect of retinyl propionate and hydroxypinacolone retinoate on skin aging
Neuroimmunomodulatory compound for sensitive skin care: in vitro and clinical assessment
Comedogenicity in rabbit: some cosmetic ingredients/vehicles
Supramolecular collagen nanoparticles for anti-wrinkle, skin whitening, and moisturizing effects
The anti wrinkle efficacy of synthetic hexapeptide (Argireline) in Chinese Subjects
Dually functionalized dendrimer for stimuli-responsive release of active ingredients into the skin
Functional properties and skin care effects of sodium trehalose sulfate
Composition characterization and clinical efficacy study of a salmon egg extract
Anti-Aging Efficacy of Low-Molecular-Weight Polydeoxyribonucleotide Derived from Paeonia lactiflora
Retrospective Review of Dermal Safety Studies of Organic Sunscreens
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.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-

Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-

Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-

Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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