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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 offering thoughtful portfolios of moisturizers, serums, eye products, and more. Clinique incorporates hydrating hyaluronic acid, nourishing glycerin, and invigorating caffeine to suit dry sensitive skin and oily skin best, while Olay carefully formulates with niacinamide and glycerin to suit sensitive skin and mature skin best. Ultimately, the brands differ through their key ingredient combinations and specific target solutions, as both provide comforting, balancing care for various skincare needs.

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

See multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Clinique vs Olay routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Clinique vs Olay routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Clinique or Olay: which is better?

Olay generally achieves higher fit levels than Clinique across most skin types on this page, particularly for mature and sensitive skin. Reviewers note that Olay offers better texture improvement and brightening, while Clinique provides a gentler formula and better makeup compatibility.

What is the difference between Clinique and Olay?

Olay tends to do better for brightening, texture, and overall routine fit on sensitive and mature skin, while Clinique stands out for gentle, non-irritating formulas and makeup compatibility. Reviewers note that Olay offers better value on price, whereas Clinique avoids fragrance across all products on this page.

Clinique or Olay for dry skin?

Olay fits dry skin better than Clinique, as Lovi rates Olay's routine for dry skin as High while Clinique's routine is Average. Olay also tends to provide intense hydration, and hyaluronic acid helps retain moisture in the skin.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Drug Delivery, 2017

Clinique or Olay: which cleanser is better?

Clinique is better for gentle cleansing, as the products on this page are rated High for sensitive skin compared to Olay's Low ratings, while the reviewers note that Clinique offers gentle and effective cleansers.

Which is more affordable, Clinique or Olay?

Olay tends to be more affordable than Clinique, as high price points are often noted as a drawback for Clinique while price and value are better rated for Olay.

Which brand has a better routine fit for skin with dark spots?

Olay has a better routine fit for skin with dark spots, scoring a High level compared to Clinique's Average level. Niacinamide, a key ingredient across Olay products on this page, helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Clinique or Olay: which offers better fragrance-free options?

Clinique is better for fragrance-free options because every single product on its page lists no fragrance in its ingredients. In comparison, Olay includes fragrance in at least one product on its page.

Clinique or Olay for oily skin?

Both Clinique and Olay offer a High routine fit for oily skin. Reviewers note that Olay tends to provide lightweight and fast-absorbing products as well as improved texture and smoothness.

Clinique or Olay: which moisturizer is better?

Olay achieves a High routine fit for moisturizers on its page, while Clinique ranges from Average to High depending on the specific product. Olay tends to offer better options for improving texture and smoothness.

Clinique or Olay for sensitive skin?

Olay is better suited for sensitive skin, achieving a Superior routine fit compared to Clinique's High fit on Lovi. Olay offers a sensitive skin routine that helps deliver intense hydration while avoiding heavy fragrances across the products on this page.

Clinique or Olay for acne-prone skin?

Olay is a better choice for acne-prone skin, as the routine fit levels on this page rate Olay as High and Clinique as Average. Olay features key ingredients like niacinamide, which helps control skin issues.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Clinique or Olay for mature skin?

Olay is the better choice for mature skin, offering Superior routine fit compared to Clinique's High level. Olay provides targeted benefits like improved texture and smoothing, while the products on this page help support aging skin.

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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