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Neutrogena vs Olay

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

Neutrogena and Olay are American skincare mainstays that offer thoughtful arrays of moisturizers, sunscreens, cleansers, serums, and more. Neutrogena relies on trusted ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and dimethicone, while the other brand pairs niacinamide and glycerin. Both brands suit mature and acne-prone skin best, though they differ through their distinct formulations and targeted solutions.

Neutrogena is an American skincare brand founded in 1930 and owned by Kimberly-Clark Corporation since 2026.

investor.kimberly-clark.comen.wikipedia.orginvestors.kenvue.com

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

Popular Neutrogena vs Olay products

People Say

NeutrogenaOlay
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Skin looked plumper and radiant — Neutrogena HYDRO BOOST WATER CREAM”
    • “It also hydrates my skin. This cream has been so easy to add to my routine. — Neutrogena Retinol Regenerating Cream”
    • “Instantly smoother, softer, and more hydrated — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
    • “light and smooth — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
  • Lightweight and Fast-Absorbing Texture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “sinks in quickly — Olay Super Serum”
    • “absorbs quickly — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
    • “Absorbs so quickly! — Olay Regenerist Regenerating Serum”
    • “Absorbs instantly without sticky residue — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
  • Fragrance-Free and Gentle Formulas Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “leaves skin soft and balanced — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
    • “love that it has no scent — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
    • “doesn't strip my skin — Olay Regenerating Cream Cleanser”
    • “No irritation at all — Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer”
  • Anti-Aging and Skin Texture 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 is looking smoother — Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream”
  • Radiance, Brightening, and Tone Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “iridescent glow — Olay Super Serum”
    • “hides dark shadows — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
    • “skin looks brighter — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
    • “Gave me a glass-skin glow — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Hydrogel Mask”
  • Makeup Compatibility and Base Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Foundation glides right over it — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
    • “Concealer doesn't cake or get stuck in crevices — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Eye Gel-Cream”
    • “absorbs instantly — Olay Eye Lifting Serum”
    • “acts as primer — Olay Super Serum”
  • Packaging and Value Concerns Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Jar is too small for the price — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
    • “Runs out quickly — Neutrogena HYDRO BOOST WATER CREAM”
    • “hard to dispense — Olay Super Serum”
    • “expensive — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
  • Ineffective or Slow Results Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Eye holes are too small — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Hydrogel Mask”
    • “Not moisturizing enough for winter months — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
    • “no visible difference — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
    • “no difference — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
  • Texture Flaws and Pilling Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “leaves greasy film — Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover”
    • “leaves a purple/blue tint — Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen”
    • “Wake up feeling a bit greasy — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
    • “cakes up all over — Olay Advanced Eye Cream”

Neutrogena vs Olay routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Neutrogena vs Olay routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Neutrogena vs Olay routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Neutrogena or Olay: which is better?

Olay does better on this page for anti-aging and skin texture, and for radiance, brightening, and tone. For dry sensitive skin, Lovi's routine fit is High for Olay and Average for Neutrogena.

What is the difference between Neutrogena and Olay?

Olay does better on this page for anti-aging and skin texture, and for lightweight and fast-absorbing texture. Lovi fit for dry sensitive skin is High for Olay and Average for Neutrogena. Retinol helps stimulate collagen accumulation in naturally aged human skin.

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

Neutrogena or Olay for dry skin?

Both Neutrogena and Olay are a High fit for dry skin on this page. Olay also has an High fit level for dry sensitive skin, whereas Neutrogena has an Average fit for dry sensitive skin.

Neutrogena or Olay: which cleanser is better?

Neutrogena is better for cleansers on this page, as Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser achieves a Superior Lovi fit level for mature, acne-prone, sensitive, and combination skin types. Reviewers frequently note that Neutrogena cleansers are acne-safe and gentle.

Which is more affordable, Neutrogena or Olay?

The products on this page do not provide pricing information, so it is not possible to determine whether Neutrogena or Olay is more affordable.

Neutrogena or Olay for anti-aging and skin texture improvement?

Olay is better for anti-aging and skin texture improvement among the products on this page. Lovi rates Olay with an High fit level for mature skin, and reviews show that Olay does better in anti-aging and skin texture.

How do the fragrance-free options compare between Neutrogena and Olay?

Both brands offer many fragrance-free products on this page, as thirty-five of thirty-nine Neutrogena products and twenty-six of twenty-seven Olay products list no fragrance.

Neutrogena or Olay for oily skin?

Both Neutrogena and Olay achieve a High routine fit level for oily skin based on the products on this page. Reviewers note that Olay offers a lightweight feel and fast absorption.

Neutrogena or Olay: which moisturizer is better?

Olay does better than Neutrogena for anti-aging and skin texture on the products on this page. For dry skin, the routine fit levels are equal, as both brands achieve a High rating.

Neutrogena or Olay for sensitive skin?

Both Neutrogena and Olay achieve a High Lovi fit for sensitive skin on the products on this page. Neutrogena lists fit levels as Average or High for most of its sensitive skin items, while Olay offers several options with High or Superior fit levels for sensitive skin.

Neutrogena or Olay: which sunscreen is better?

Neutrogena and Olay both offer effective sunscreens, with Neutrogena providing specialized options like Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen and Clear Face Liquid Lotion Sunscreen that achieve a Superior Lovi fit for combination and sensitive skin.

Neutrogena or Olay for acne-prone skin?

Both Neutrogena and Olay achieve a High routine fit for acne-prone skin on the products on this page.

Neutrogena or Olay for dry sensitive skin?

Olay fits dry sensitive skin better than Neutrogena, as Olay achieves a High routine fit level while Neutrogena reaches an Average level.

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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