Some By Mi vs Olay
Some By Mi and Olay are two skincare brands offering serums, cleansers, toners, moisturizers, and more. The Korean brand Some By Mi, founded in 2016 and owned by JKL Partners since 2021, is known for niacinamide, centella asiatica, and salicylic acid, fitting dry sensitive skin and skin with dark spots best, whereas Olay is warmly loved for its thoughtfully formulated moisturizers, eye products, serums, cleansers, and more, enriched with nourishing niacinamide and glycerin to suit sensitive skin and acne-prone skin best. While both feature niacinamide to improve pigmentation and skin aging, the first brand also utilizes salicylic acid to reduce acne lesions and maintain clarity, while the second brand employs glycerin to improve hydration and barrier function. They differ in their standout formulations, as the former relies on targeted toners and a gel cleanser for specific concerns, and the latter features distinct eye serums and creams for particular needs.
Some By Mi is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2016 and owned by JKL Partners since 2021.
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This page compares some of the most popular Some By Mi and Olay products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Some By Mi vs Olay products
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AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner
$16.80
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Retinol Intense Reactivating Serum
$20.60
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AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Acne Clear Foam
$14.80
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AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum
$19.70
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Retinol Intense Advanced Triple Action Eye Cream
$17.99
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Super Matcha Pore Clean Clay Mask
$15.60
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Beta Panthenol Repair Cream
$18.20
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Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream
$15.50
People Say
Improves and smooths skin texture 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”
- “Skin became smoother — Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner”
Hydrating and moisturizing formula Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “Instantly smoother, softer, and more hydrated — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
- “light and smooth — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
- “My skin feels so hydrated and plump. — Olay Regenerist Regenerating Serum”
- “Lasts 100 hours as claimed — Some By Mi Beta Panthenol Repair Cream”
Lightweight and fast absorbing Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “absorbs quickly — Some By Mi Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream”
- “absorbs quickly — Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Serum”
- “absorbs quickly — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
- “absorbs instantly — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
Brightens complexion and fades spots Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “Fades dark spots — Some By Mi Galactomyces Pure Vitamin C Glow Serum”
- “skin looks visibly brighter — Some By Mi Yuja Niacin Anti Blemish Serum”
- “brightens dull skin — Some By Mi Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream”
- “hides dark shadows — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
Gentle exfoliation and formula Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “Zero irritation or redness — Some By Mi Retinol Intense Reactivating Serum”
- “doesn't strip dry my skin — Some By Mi Super Matcha Pore Clean Clay Mask”
- “tiny beads aren't harsh — Olay Regenerating Cream Cleanser”
- “fragrance-free — Olay Eye Lifting Serum”
Pleasant texture and feel Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “Absorbs so quickly! — Olay Regenerist Regenerating Serum”
- “Rich luxurious cream — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
- “silky feel — Olay Super Serum”
- “spreads soft on my skin — Some By Mi Super Matcha Pore Clean Clay Mask”
Overhyped or slow/minimal results Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “no difference — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
- “didn't see a difference — Olay Retinol24”
- “No difference in lines — Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer”
- “didn't do much for old scars — Some By Mi Yuja Niacin Anti Blemish Serum”
Packaging concerns and flaws Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
- “Hate dipping fingers in a jar — Some By Mi Beta Panthenol Repair Cream”
- “bottle is too small — Some By Mi Yuja Niacin Anti Blemish Serum”
- “hard to dispense — Olay Super Serum”
Sticky or tacky finish and residue Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “leaves sticky film — Some By Mi Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream”
- “Leaves sticky residue — Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner”
- “Wake up feeling a bit greasy — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
- “cakes up all over — Olay Advanced Eye Cream”
Some By Mi vs Olay routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Low pH Gel Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$13.40
-
Hydrating Toner
Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning
$15.60
-
Moisturizer
Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$15.50
-
SPF
V10 Hyal Air Fit Sunscreen
Morning
$16.70
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Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
$21.70
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Serum or Treatment
Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Serum
Evening · Once a week
$19.70
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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
-
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 Some By Mi routine · $124.60 · 91% fit
Buy Olay routine · $154.40 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit
Some By Mi vs Olay routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Low pH Gel Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$13.40
-
Hydrating Toner
Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
$15.60
-
Moisturizer
Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$15.50
-
SPF
V10 Hyal Air Fit Sunscreen
Morning
$16.70
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
$50.00
-
Cleansing Toner
AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner
Evening
$16.80
-
Serum or Treatment
AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum
Evening · Once a week
$19.70
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
$69.00
-
Cleansing Mask
Super Matcha Pore Clean Clay Mask
Once a week
$15.60
-
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
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Cleansing Mask
Revision Skincare Black Mask
Once a week
$79.00
Buy Some By Mi routine · $232.30 · 87% fit
Buy Olay routine · $296.19 · 84% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit
Some By Mi vs Olay routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Low pH Gel Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$13.40
-
Hydrating Toner
Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
$15.60
-
Moisturizer
Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$15.50
-
SPF
V10 Hyal Air Fit Sunscreen
Morning
$16.70
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
$50.00
-
Cleansing Toner
AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner
Evening
$16.80
-
Serum or Treatment
AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum
Evening · Once a week
$19.70
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
$69.00
-
Cleansing Mask
Super Matcha Pore Clean Clay Mask
Once a week
$15.60
-
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 Some By Mi routine · $232.30 · 88% fit
Buy Olay routine · $286.61 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Questions and answers
Some By Mi or Olay: which is better?
Both Some By Mi and Olay are great choices, with Some By Mi performing better for dry sensitive skin, dry skin, and skin with dark spots. Reviewers report that Olay is better for hydration and texture, while Some By Mi stands out for brightening complexions and fading dark spots.
What is the difference between Some By Mi and Olay?
Some By Mi is better for brightening the complexion and fading spots, whereas Olay excels at improving skin texture and providing hydration. Lovi rates Some By Mi as Superior for dry sensitive skin, skin with dark spots, and sensitive skin, while Olay fits those skin types at a High level.
Some By Mi or Olay for dry skin?
Some By Mi is a better fit for dry skin, achieving a Superior routine fit compared to Olay's High fit. The products on this page help deliver intense hydration and smooth textures.
Some By Mi or Olay: which cleanser is better?
Some By Mi is better for deep pore cleansing and acne-clearing treatments, whereas Olay focuses more on gentle hydration and texture improvement. Lovi rates Some By Mi cleansers, such as the Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Low pH Gel Cleanser, as Superior for skin with dark spots and acne-prone skin, while Olay cleansers generally perform well across various skin types.
Which is more affordable, Some By Mi or Olay?
The products on this page do not list pricing information, so neither Some By Mi nor Olay can be identified as more affordable.
Some By Mi or Olay for fading dark spots and brightening complexion?
Some By Mi is the better choice for fading dark spots and brightening the complexion because the products on this page outperform Olay in that area. Niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and suppress melanosome transfer.
Do Some By Mi and Olay products contain fragrance?
Every product on the Some By Mi page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, while Olay includes fragrance in only one of its products.
Some By Mi or Olay for oily skin?
Both Some By Mi and Olay are great choices for oily skin, as Lovi rates both brands as having a High fit for this skin type. Reviewers note that the products on this page help deliver a lightweight feel and fast absorption.
Some By Mi or Olay: which moisturizer is better?
When comparing moisturizers, Olay does better for intensive hydration and smoothing skin texture, while Some By Mi excels at brightening complexions and fading spots across the products on this page. Lovi rates Some By Mi as having a Superior routine fit for dry skin, compared to a High fit for Olay.
Some By Mi or Olay for sensitive skin?
Some By Mi fits sensitive skin best, as Lovi rates its routine as Superior compared to Olay's High. The products on this page list no fragrance in their ingredients, which helps prevent irritation.
Some By Mi or Olay: which sunscreen is better?
Some By Mi fits dry sensitive skin with a High Lovi rating for its V10 Hyal Air Fit Sunscreen, while Olay offers its Regenerist Whip Face Moisturizer SPF 25 at a High level for mature and dry sensitive skin. Both brands provide fragrance-free sunscreen options on these pages, but Some By Mi features a broader range of products rated High for dry sensitive skin.
Some By Mi or Olay for acne-prone skin?
Both brands are great choices for acne-prone skin, as routines from both Some By Mi and Olay achieve a High fit level for this skin type. Some By Mi products often feature ingredients like salicylic acid and tea tree extracts that help clear breakouts.
Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, 2007
Some By Mi or Olay for mature skin?
Both Some By Mi and Olay fit mature skin at a High level on this page. Olay does better for improving and smoothing skin texture and hydrating and moisturizing formulas.
Research behind their key ingredients
The effect of niacinamide on reducing cutaneous pigmentation and suppression of melanosome transfer
Topical menthol--a human model for cold pain by activation and sensitization of C nociceptors
Molecular basis of retinol anti-ageing properties in naturally aged human skin in vivo
Topical palmitoyl pentapeptide provides improvement in photoaged human facial skin
HelixComplex snail mucus as a potential technology against O3 induced skin damage
Vitamin C-squalene bioconjugate promotes epidermal thickening and collagen production in human skin
Ethosomes of Phenylethyl Resorcinol as Vesicular Delivery System for Skin Lightening Applications
The use of green tea extract in cosmetic formulations: not only an antioxidant active ingredient
Reduction in the appearance of facial hyperpigmentation by topical N-acetyl glucosamine
A comparative study of gluconolactone versus benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of acne
Allergy to oxidized limonene and linalool is frequent in the U.K
Neuroimmunomodulatory compound for sensitive skin care: in vitro and clinical assessment
Comedogenicity in rabbit: some cosmetic ingredients/vehicles
The anti wrinkle efficacy of synthetic hexapeptide (Argireline) in Chinese Subjects
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
-

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
-

Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-

Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-

Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
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