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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 brands known for offering thoughtful ranges of moisturizers, serums, eye products, and cleansers. The former incorporates hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and caffeine to suit dry sensitive skin and oily skin best, while the latter utilizes niacinamide and glycerin to suit sensitive skin and acne-prone skin best. Ultimately, the two brands differ through their specific formulations, as the American brand owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 1968 features targeted solutions like the Clarifying Do-Over Peel, whereas both provide unique options for addressing dark spots, mature skin, and distinct complexion concerns.

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 · $154.40 · 83% fitBuy Clinique routine · $370.23 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Clinique vs Olay routines for oily skin

Buy Olay routine · $296.19 · 84% fitBuy Clinique routine · $440.07 · 78% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Clinique vs Olay routines for combination skin

Buy Olay routine · $286.61 · 83% fitBuy Clinique routine · $440.07 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

Clinique or Olay: which is better?

Olay tends to do better on this page for brightening, texture, and value, while Clinique is often favored for gentleness. Olay also shows a higher routine fit for dry and combination skin types among the products on this page.

What is the difference between Clinique and Olay?

Olay generally achieves a High routine fit across more skin types on this page, whereas Clinique is more often Average outside of specific types. Reviewers find that Olay delivers better texture improvement and brightening, while Clinique is preferred for its gentle formulas.

Clinique or Olay for dry skin?

Olay is a better fit for dry skin, achieving a high routine fit compared to Clinique's average fit on this page. Olay's products on this page help deliver intense hydration and improved texture for dry skin.

Clinique or Olay: which cleanser is better?

Clinique is rated better for a gentle and non-irritating formula among the products on this page. Reviewers report that Clinique offers gentle and effective cleansers.

Which is more affordable, Clinique or Olay?

Olay is more affordable, as reviewers often mention a high price point as a drawback for Clinique.

Which brand has fragrance-free products, Clinique or Olay?

Both brands offer fragrance-free products on the page, as every Clinique product lists no fragrance in its ingredients and almost all Olay products do as well.

Clinique or Olay for oily skin?

Both Clinique and Olay fit oily skin at a High level. Reviewers mention that Olay offers lightweight and fast-absorbing products, while Clinique features oil-controlling and smoothing moisturizers.

Clinique or Olay: which moisturizer is better?

Olay products on this page have a High routine fit for dry skin, whereas Clinique has an Average routine fit. Reviewers also mention Olay for intense hydration and smoothing and texture improvement.

Clinique or Olay for sensitive skin?

Both Clinique and Olay fit sensitive skin at a High level. Reviewers note that Clinique offers a gentle and non-irritating formula.

Clinique or Olay for acne-prone skin?

Both Clinique and Olay provide a high routine fit for acne-prone skin on the products on this page. Reviewers note that Olay offers better texture and smoothness, while Clinique is recognized for a gentle and non-irritating formula.

Clinique or Olay for mature skin?

Olay is rated as having a Superior fit level for mature skin for several of its products on this page, whereas Clinique's top individual product fit for mature skin reaches a High level. Reviewers mention that Olay does better for smoothing and texture improvement, while Clinique is noted as doing better for a gentle and non-irritating formula.

Clinique or Olay for skin with dark spots?

Olay fits skin with dark spots better than Clinique, as Olay achieves a High routine fit level while Clinique reaches an Average level. Olay's key ingredients include Niacinamide, which helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and suppress melanosome transfer.

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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