Olay vs Biore
Olay and Biore are well-regarded skincare options, with the former known for thoughtfully formulated moisturizers, eye products, serums, and cleansers enriched with nourishing niacinamide and glycerin, while the latter is a Japanese brand founded in 1980 and owned by Kao Corporation, globally loved for sunscreens, cleansers, masks, and makeup removers relying on carefully balanced formulas. The first brand suits sensitive skin and acne-prone skin best, featuring standout items like the Super Eyes Daily Eye Serum, Regenerist Luminous Tone Perfecting Cream, and Brightening Eye Cream to address wrinkles, pigmentation, aging, hydration, and barrier function. Meanwhile, the second brand suits oily skin and combination skin best with targeted offerings like the UV Aqua Rich, Makeup Remover Perfect Oil, and Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser for reliable daily care. These choices differ fundamentally as both rely on distinct ingredient combinations and targeted formulations tailored for specific skin types.
Biore is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1980 and owned by Kao Corporation.
This page compares some of the most popular Olay and Biore products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Olay vs Biore products
People Say
Skin Texture and Smoothness Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
- “skin feels baby soft — Olay Retinol24”
- “Skin feels like silk — Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer”
- “light and smooth — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
- “Leaves skin feeling clean — Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips”
Absorption and Lightweight Feel Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
- “sinks in quickly — Olay Super Serum”
- “absorbs quickly — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
- “absorbs instantly — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
- “melts into skin — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
Exfoliation and Cleansing Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
- “Gets the gunk out — Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips”
- “Face feels squeaky clean — Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser”
- “Keeps shine away — Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser”
- “tiny beads aren't harsh — Olay Regenerating Cream Cleanser”
Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “Instantly smoother, softer, and more hydrated — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
- “My skin feels so hydrated and plump. — Olay Regenerist Regenerating Serum”
- “very hydrating — Olay Retinol24”
- “feels like a moisturizer — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
Makeup Compatibility and Base Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “absorbs instantly — Olay Eye Lifting Serum”
- “acts as primer — Olay Super Serum”
- “primer-like — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
Radiance and Brightening Often MentionedNot noted
- “iridescent glow — Olay Super Serum”
- “hides dark shadows — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
- “skin looks brighter — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
Skin Irritation and Sensitivity Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
- “breakouts — Olay Super Serum”
- “burned my skin — Olay Retinol24”
- “burning sensation — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
- “stings eyes — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
Fragrance and Scent Issues Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “Fragrance can be an irritant — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
- “floral scent — Olay Super Serum”
- “smells like plastic — Olay Retinol24”
- “smells like alcohol — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
Lack of Results or Ineffectiveness Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “Doesn't get all blackheads — Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips”
- “Doesn't shrink pores — Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips”
- “no difference — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
Olay vs Biore routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$19.99
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Hydrating Toner
Pyunkang Yul Calming Deep Moisture Toner
Morning
$16.99
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Moisturizer
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Enrich Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$22.00
- SPF UV Aqua Rich Morning
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Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
$21.70
-
Serum or Treatment
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
Evening · Once a week
$39.00
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
$22.00
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Cleanser
Regenerating Cream Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$20.20
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Hydrating Toner
Pyunkang Yul Calming Deep Moisture Toner
Morning
$16.99
-
Moisturizer
Regenerist Luminous Tone Perfecting Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$49.97
-
SPF
Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream
Morning
$23.54
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
$21.70
- Serum or Treatment Vitamin C Serum Evening · Once a week
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
$22.00
Buy Biore routine · $141.68 · 89% fit
Buy Olay routine · $154.40 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit
Olay vs Biore routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$15.97
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
$15.60
-
Moisturizer
COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$18.99
- SPF UV Aqua Rich Morning
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
$50.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Pixi Glow Tonic
Evening
$28.42
-
Serum or Treatment
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
Evening · Once a week
$39.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
$69.00
-
Cleansing Mask
Revision Skincare Black Mask
Once a week
$79.00
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Cleanser
Regenerating Cream Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$20.20
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
$15.60
-
Moisturizer
Super Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$29.94
-
SPF
Regenerist Whip Face Moisturizer SPF 25
Morning
$22.12
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
$50.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Oil Minimizing Clean Toner
Evening
$10.33
- Serum or Treatment Vitamin C Serum Evening · Once a week
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
$69.00
-
Cleansing Mask
Revision Skincare Black Mask
Once a week
$79.00
Buy Biore routine · $315.98 · 94% fit
Buy Olay routine · $296.19 · 84% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit
Olay vs Biore routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$28.08
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
$25.60
-
Moisturizer
COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$18.99
- SPF UV Aqua Rich Morning
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
$50.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
$18.90
-
Serum or Treatment
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
Evening · Once a week
$39.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
$69.00
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
$58.00
-
Cleanser
Regenerating Cream Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$20.20
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
$25.60
-
Moisturizer
Super Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$29.94
-
SPF
Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream
Morning
$23.54
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
$50.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Oil Minimizing Clean Toner
Evening
$10.33
- Serum or Treatment Vitamin C Serum Evening · Once a week
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
$69.00
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
$58.00
Buy Biore routine · $307.57 · 94% fit
Buy Olay routine · $286.61 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Questions and answers
Olay or Biore: which is better?
Olay is better for hydration and texture, while Biore is better for oily and acne-prone skin types. Olay fits best for sensitive, acne-prone, and oily skin, whereas Biore focuses its routines on oily, combination, and acne-prone skin.
What is the difference between Olay and Biore?
Olay and Biore differ primarily in their product selection and skin type performance, with Olay offering a wider range of moisturizers and serums while Biore focuses on cleansers and sunscreens. Reviewers note that Olay does better for skin texture and intense hydration, whereas Biore leads in exfoliation and cleansing on the products on this page.
Olay or Biore for dry skin?
For dry skin, both Olay and Biore provide a High routine fit on the products on this page. Reviewers note that Olay helps deliver intense hydration and smooth texture with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin.
Olay or Biore: which cleanser is better?
Olay does better for exfoliation and cleansing on this page, as its Regenerating Cream Cleanser achieves a High fit level for acne-prone, oily acne-prone, combination, oily, and mature skin types. Biore also offers cleansers like the Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser, but Olay outperforms it in reviewer themes for this category.
Which is more affordable, Olay or Biore?
I am sorry, but the provided page facts and studies do not contain pricing information for either Olay or Biore.
When was Olay founded compared to Biore?
Olay was founded in 1952, whereas Biore was established in 1980.
Which brand has a product with fragrance, Olay or Biore?
Olay has a product with fragrance on the products on this page, specifically the Oil Minimizing Clean Toner. Biore lists no fragrance in any of its products.
Which brand performs better for hydration and moisture according to reviewers?
Olay performs better for hydration and moisture according to reviewers.
Olay or Biore for oily skin?
For oily skin, Biore fits best with a Superior routine level, while Olay reaches a High routine level. Reviewers also find that Biore does better for exfoliation and cleansing.
Olay or Biore: which sunscreen is better?
Olay offers more sunscreen options on this page, including the Regenerist Whip Face Moisturizer SPF 25 which has a High Lovi fit for mature skin, dry sensitive skin, skin with dark spots, and other skin types. Biore features the UV Aqua Rich sunscreen, which has a High Lovi fit for combination skin and an Average fit for oily skin and acne-prone skin.
Olay or Biore for sensitive skin?
Olay is a great choice for sensitive skin because the products on this page achieve a High Lovi fit level for this skin type.
Olay or Biore for acne-prone skin?
Olay fits acne-prone skin with a High Lovi level across multiple products on this page, whereas Biore offers an Average fit level for its options. Both brands feature in routines that help manage this skin type.
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
Psychophysical study of the effects of topical application of menthol in healthy volunteers
Reduction in the appearance of facial hyperpigmentation by topical N-acetyl glucosamine
Neuroimmunomodulatory compound for sensitive skin care: in vitro and clinical assessment
Comedogenicity in rabbit: some cosmetic ingredients/vehicles
In vivo and in vitro evaluation of octyl methoxycinnamate liposomes
Dually functionalized dendrimer for stimuli-responsive release of active ingredients into the skin
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
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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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