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Simple vs Olay

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

Simple and Olay are two trusted skincare brands celebrated for reliable moisturizers, cleansers, and serums formulated with niacinamide and glycerin. The British brand Simple suits oily and mature skin best, offering standout choices like the Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner for acne-prone skin, the Micellar Cleansing Water for dark spots, and the Micellar Water for mature skin. Conversely, Olay suits sensitive and oily skin best, featuring targeted options such as the Super Eyes Daily Eye Serum for acne-prone skin, the Regenerist Luminous Tone Perfecting Cream for dark spots, and the Brightening Eye Cream for mature skin. While both share foundational ingredients that strengthen barrier function and boost hydration, they differ in their specific product lineups and heritage.

Simple is a British skincare brand founded in 1960 and owned by Unilever PLC since 2011.

en.wikipedia.orgsec.govprnewswire.comsimple.co.uk

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

Popular Simple vs Olay products

People Say

SimpleOlay
  • Gentle on sensitive skin Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Does not cause any form of irritation on the skin which I love. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “The only cleanser that doesn't turn my face red. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “no artificial perfume — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “fragrance-free — Olay Eye Lifting Serum”
  • Hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “banished dryness within days — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “Instantly boosts skin's hydration... face doesn't feel dry and tight. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “Instantly smoother, softer, and more hydrated — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
    • “light and smooth — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy feel Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
    • “absorbs very quickly — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “absorbs quickly — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
    • “absorbs instantly — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
  • Fragrance-free formula Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Love that it has absolutely no scent. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “love that it's alcohol-free — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
    • “No strong smell — Simple Refreshing Facial Wash”
    • “no scent — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
  • Improves skin texture Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin feels baby soft — Olay Retinol24”
    • “Skin feels like silk — Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer”
    • “velvety soft skin — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
  • Affordable price point and value Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “great value for money — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
    • “super affordable — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “Can't beat the price for the quality. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “Better than high-end moisturizers — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
  • Caused breakouts and skin reactions Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Gave me tiny bumps on my forehead. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “caused major breakouts — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “caused cystic acne — Olay Retinol24”
    • “Caused breakouts — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
  • Packaging and leaking issues Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Worried about the snap top bottle leaking when travelling. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “The cap broke off immediately. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “hard to get last bit out — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “hard to dispense — Olay Super Serum”
  • Residue and film left on skin Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Feels slimy on skin — Simple Refreshing Facial Wash”
    • “Still feeling a little bit of a film on my skin. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “Wake up feeling a bit greasy — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
    • “cakes up all over — Olay Advanced Eye Cream”

Simple vs Olay routines for dry skin

Buy Simple routine · CA$156.25 · 83% fitBuy Olay routine · CA$156.85 · 82% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Simple vs Olay routines for oily skin

Buy Simple routine · CA$271.73 · 87% fitBuy Olay routine · CA$298.41 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Simple vs Olay routines for combination skin

Buy Simple routine · CA$214.83 · 86% fitBuy Olay routine · CA$250.43 · 82% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Simple or Olay: which is better?

Simple tends to be better for sensitive skin due to its completely fragrance-free range and gentle formulas, while Olay is often better for improving skin texture and targeting signs of aging with key ingredients like niacinamide and retinol. Both brands offer good hydration and value, though the products on this page show that individual results may vary.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

What is the difference between Simple and Olay?

Simple offers more affordable, gentle, and entirely fragrance-free products on this page, while Olay is better for improving skin texture.

Simple or Olay for dry skin?

Both Simple and Olay provide a High routine fit for dry skin. Reviewers note that Simple offers lightweight and value-friendly moisturizers, while Olay delivers intense hydration with options containing hyaluronic acid.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Drug Delivery, 2017

Simple or Olay: which cleanser is better?

Simple does better for sensitive skin on cleansers, as the products on this page are gentler, while Olay offers cleansers that may improve skin texture. Both brands provide fragrance-free options across most of their cleansers.

Which is more affordable, Simple or Olay?

Simple is more affordable than Olay, as the products on this page offer a more affordable price point and value according to reviewers.

Simple or Olay: which brand is more gentle on sensitive skin?

Simple is more gentle on sensitive skin, as reviewed by users who find the brand to be gentler in this area. Every product on the Simple page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas Olay includes a fragranced option.

Which brand has more fragrance-free options, Simple or Olay?

Simple has more fragrance-free options because every product on the Simple page lists no fragrance, whereas Olay includes fragrance in one of its products on this page.

Simple or Olay: which is better for improving skin texture?

Olay is better for improving skin texture, as reviewers often mention that its products help improve texture and smoothness. Additionally, Olay includes key ingredients like retinol, which stimulates collagen accumulation to help manage skin aging and texture.

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

Simple or Olay for oily skin?

Both Simple and Olay offer products on this page that have a High routine fit for oily skin. Reviewers mention that Olay helps improve skin texture and provides intense hydration, while Simple helps provide lightweight and value-friendly moisturization.

Simple or Olay: which moisturizer is better?

Simple offers lightweight and value-friendly moisturizers, while Olay provides options that help improve skin texture and offer intense hydration. Both brands feature high or average fit levels for moisturizers across various skin types on this page.

Simple or Olay for sensitive skin?

Simple does better for sensitive skin, as the products on this page are completely fragrance-free and reviewers frequently mention that the brand is gentle on sensitive skin.

Simple or Olay for acne-prone skin?

Both Simple and Olay show an equal High routine fit for acne-prone skin. The products on this page from both brands help deliver hydration while keeping formulas free of fragrance in almost all 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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