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Olay vs Elemis

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

Olay and Elemis are two distinct skincare lines known for thoughtful formulations that pair specific ingredients to address diverse complexions. The former is warmly loved for its targeted moisturizers, eye products, serums, and cleansers that thoughtfully combine niacinamide and glycerin to suit acne-prone and mature skin. Meanwhile, the British brand celebrated since 1989 offers curated preparations spanning nourishing serums, rich moisturizers, gentle cleansers, and refining toners that weave together glycerin and shea to suit dry and mature skin best. Ultimately, both differ primarily in their botanical and scientific approaches, with the first focusing on niacinamide for wrinkles and pigmentation, and the latter relying on shea butter to reduce inflammation and relieve skin pruritus.

Elemis is a British skincare brand founded in 1989 and owned by L'Occitane Group since 2019.

elemis.comau.elemis.comen.wikipedia.org

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

Popular Olay vs Elemis products

People Say

OlayElemis
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Instantly smoother, softer, and more hydrated — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
    • “Skin feels like silk — Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer”
    • “The cream really hydrates and my face looks amazing. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream”
    • “Quenches thirsty skin... immediate improvement. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Luxurious and Lightweight Texture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “absorbs quickly — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
    • “absorbs instantly — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
    • “Absorbs almost immediately, and my skin feels well hydrated all day. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “whipped silk feel — Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial”
  • Skin Texture and Smoothing Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “skin feels baby soft — Olay Retinol24”
    • “Absorbs so quickly! — Olay Regenerist Regenerating Serum”
    • “velvety soft skin — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
    • “baby soft — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
  • Fragrance-Free and Gentle Formulas Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “tiny beads aren't harsh — Olay Regenerating Cream Cleanser”
    • “doesn't strip my skin — Olay Regenerating Cream Cleanser”
    • “No irritation at all — Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer”
    • “no stinging or redness — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
  • Fast Absorption and Radiance Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “sinks in quickly — Olay Super Serum”
    • “iridescent glow — Olay Super Serum”
    • “healthy glow — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
    • “instantly fresh glow — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash”
  • Pleasant Scent Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like a spa — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “smells like a holiday — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “smells like a tropical cocktail — Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial”
    • “smells amazing — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
  • Price Point Issues Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive for drugstore — Olay Super Serum”
    • “expensive — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
    • “small quantity (0.5 oz) — Olay Eye Lifting Serum”
    • “Complete waste of money for me. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Strong or Unpleasant Fragrance Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Fragrance can be an irritant — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
    • “floral scent — Olay Super Serum”
    • “smells like plastic — Olay Retinol24”
    • “The smell is very strong... could not handle for long. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Packaging Concerns Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “jar looks half empty — Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial”
    • “tube feels half empty — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “pump broke quickly — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash”
    • “hard to dispense — Olay Super Serum”

Olay vs Elemis routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Olay vs Elemis routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Olay vs Elemis routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Olay or Elemis: which is better?

Both Olay and Elemis perform equally well, as the products on this page achieve identical routine fit levels across all skin types. Olay may be preferred for fragrance-free options and skin texture, whereas Elemis offers a more pleasant scent.

What is the difference between Olay and Elemis?

Olay offers more fragrance-free options and is rated better for skin texture and smoothing among the products on this page, while Elemis provides a more luxurious scent experience despite its higher price point. Both brands achieve high routine fit levels across all major skin types.

Olay or Elemis for dry skin?

Both Olay and Elemis offer a High routine fit for dry skin on the products on this page. Olay leans towards fragrance-free options, while Elemis is noted for luxurious moisturizing textures.

Olay or Elemis: which cleanser is better?

Olay is better for cleansers on this page, as reviewers note it offers more fragrance-free and gentle formulas compared to Elemis.

Which is more affordable, Olay or Elemis?

Olay is more affordable than Elemis, as high price point issues are mostly mentioned for Elemis while Olay has advantages regarding price point issues.

Between Olay and Elemis, which brand offers more fragrance-free options?

Olay offers more fragrance-free options, as 26 of its 27 products on this page list no fragrance compared to only 4 of 22 for Elemis.

How do the founding years and corporate ownerships of Olay and Elemis compare?

Olay was founded in 1952 and has been owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1985, whereas Elemis was established later in 1989 in the United Kingdom and is owned by the L'Occitane Group.

Which brand performs better for skin texture and smoothing according to reviewer themes?

Olay performs better for skin texture and smoothing.

Olay or Elemis for oily skin?

Both Olay and Elemis have products on this page that fit oily skin at a High routine level. Olay features key ingredients like niacinamide, which may help regulate oil and brighten skin.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Olay or Elemis: which moisturizer is better?

Both Olay and Elemis offer high fit levels for moisturizers across various skin types on the products on this page, but Olay is generally better for fragrance-free and gentle options while Elemis is noted for luxurious textures and pleasant scents. Niacinamide in Olay products may help reduce pigmentation and support skin aging, while hyaluronic acid helps deliver antioxidant and anti-aging effects.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Olay or Elemis for sensitive skin?

Both Olay and Elemis have an equal High routine fit for sensitive skin, but Olay does better for fragrance-free and gentle formulas on the products on this page. Niacinamide may help soothe and improve skin barrier function, and Olay features 26 fragrance-free options out of 27 products.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Olay or Elemis for acne-prone skin?

Both Olay and Elemis achieve a High routine fit for acne-prone skin on the products on this page. Olay stands out with mostly fragrance-free options across its range, whereas Elemis features a higher price point and more frequent fragrance inclusions.

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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