Estée Lauder vs Olay
Estée Lauder and Olay are established skincare brands offering comprehensive ranges of moisturizers, serums, eye products, cleansers, and more. Estée Lauder relies on hydrating hyaluronic acid and glycerin to best suit acne-prone and mature skin, whereas the other brand utilizes niacinamide and glycerin to best suit sensitive and mature skin. Both brands differ in their key active ingredients and ideal skin types, delivering targeted solutions for concerns like dark spots, wrinkles, and pigmentation.
Estée Lauder is an American skincare brand founded in 1946 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc..
en.wikipedia.orgelcompanies.com
This page compares some of the most popular Estée Lauder and Olay products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Estée Lauder vs Olay products
People Say
Texture smoothing and improvement 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 feels like a baby's bottom — Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair”
Deep hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
- “skin drinks it up immediately — Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair”
- “The formula is incredibly hydrating and leaves my skin feeling smooth. — Estée Lauder Re-Nutriv”
- “texture is dreamy — Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Gel-Creme”
- “light and smooth — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
Lightweight and fast-absorbing feel Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
- “sinks in quickly — Olay Super Serum”
- “absorbs quickly — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
- “absorbs instantly — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
- “Absorbs quickly into the skin — Estée Lauder Revitalizing Supreme+”
Radiant glow and brightening Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “iridescent glow — Olay Super Serum”
- “hides dark shadows — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
- “skin looks brighter — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
- “gives me that glass skin look — Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair”
Gentle and non-drying cleansing Often MentionedRarely Noted
- “doesn't strip the skin — Estée Lauder Advanced Night Cleansing Gelée”
- “Lathers well — Estée Lauder Soft Clean Moisture Rich Foaming Cleanser”
- “removes all my makeup effortlessly — Estée Lauder Advanced Night Cleansing Gelée”
- “tiny beads aren't harsh — Olay Regenerating Cream Cleanser”
Makeup compatibility and base Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “doesn't pill — Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Gel-Creme”
- “layers flawlessly under foundation — Estée Lauder DayWear Moisturizer”
- “absorbs instantly — Olay Eye Lifting Serum”
- “acts as primer — Olay Super Serum”
High price and value concerns Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
- “expensive for drugstore — Olay Super Serum”
- “expensive — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
- “small quantity (0.5 oz) — Olay Eye Lifting Serum”
- “way too expensive for the size — Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair”
Bulky or poor packaging Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “lid is hard to open — Estée Lauder Advanced Night Cleansing Gelée”
- “Please make a jar or refill that is not as big and heavy. — Estée Lauder Re-Nutriv”
- “Impossible to get out — Estée Lauder Soft Clean Moisture Rich Foaming Cleanser”
- “hard to dispense — Olay Super Serum”
Scent and fragrance complaints Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “Fragrance can be an irritant — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
- “floral scent — Olay Super Serum”
- “smells like plastic — Olay Retinol24”
- “Scent is too overpowering — Estée Lauder Revitalizing Supreme+”
Estée Lauder vs Olay routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€8.85
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Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Advanced Replenishing Toner
Morning
€34.00
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Moisturizer
Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€22.99
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Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
€10.97
- Serum or Treatment Vitamin C Serum Evening · Once a week
-
Nourishing Mask
Abib Rice Probiotics Overnight Mask
Once a week
€15.30
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Cleanser
Advanced Night Cleansing Gelée
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€19.76
-
Hydrating Toner
Micro Essence Treatment Lotion
Morning
€109.00
-
Moisturizer
Revitalizing Supreme+
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€119.00
- SPF DayWear Moisturizer Morning
-
Pre-Cleanser
Take It Away Makeup Remover Lotion
Evening · Once a week
€31.28
- Serum or Treatment Perfectionist Pro Evening · Once a week
-
Nourishing Mask
Nutritious Melting Soft Creme/Mask
Once a week
€31.00
Estée Lauder vs Olay routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€20.50
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
€36.00
-
Moisturizer
Super Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€27.38
-
SPF
Regenerist Whip Face Moisturizer SPF 25
Morning
€21.78
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€97.52
-
Cleansing Toner
Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Toner
Evening
€16.90
- Serum or Treatment Vitamin C Serum Evening · Once a week
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€48.55
-
Cleansing Mask
VT Cosmetics Cica Purifying Mask
Once a week
€16.79
-
Cleanser
Advanced Night Cleansing Gelée
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€19.76
-
Hydrating Toner
Micro Essence Treatment Lotion
Morning · Once a week
€109.00
-
Moisturizer
Revitalizing Supreme+
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€119.00
- SPF DayWear Moisturizer Morning
-
Pre-Cleanser
Take It Away Makeup Remover Lotion
Evening · Once a week
€31.28
-
Cleansing Toner
Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Toner
Evening
€16.90
- Serum or Treatment Perfectionist Pro Evening · Once a week
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€48.55
-
Cleansing Mask
VT Cosmetics Cica Purifying Mask
Once a week
€16.79
Estée Lauder vs Olay routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€39.80
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
€36.00
-
Moisturizer
Super Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€27.38
-
SPF
Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream
Morning
€22.99
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€97.52
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
€16.98
- Serum or Treatment Vitamin C Serum Evening · Once a week
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€48.55
-
Cleansing Mask
Origins Original Skin Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay
Once a week
€28.50
-
Cleanser
Advanced Night Cleansing Gelée
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€19.76
-
Hydrating Toner
Micro Essence Treatment Lotion
Morning · Once a week
€109.00
- Moisturizer Re-Nutriv Morning · Evening · Once a week
- SPF DayWear Moisturizer Morning
-
Pre-Cleanser
Take It Away Makeup Remover Lotion
Evening · Once a week
€31.28
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
€16.98
-
Serum or Treatment
Advanced Night Repair
Evening · Once a week
€75.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€48.55
-
Cleansing Mask
Origins Original Skin Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay
Once a week
€28.50
Questions and answers
Estée Lauder or Olay: which is better?
Olay is better on this page for sensitive and mature skin with a Superior Lovi fit, while Estée Lauder reaches a High fit for those skin types. Olay also tends to do better for texture smoothing and brightening among the products on this page.
What is the difference between Estée Lauder and Olay?
Olay tends to do better on texture smoothing, brightening, and routine fit for mature or sensitive skin, while Estée Lauder stands out for deep hydration and gentle cleansers among the products on this page.
Estée Lauder or Olay for dry skin?
Olay fits dry skin better than Estée Lauder, as the products on this page show a High routine fit for Olay compared to an Average fit for Estée Lauder. Olay features key hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which helps improve skin quality.
Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Dermatologic Therapy, 2022
Estée Lauder or Olay: which cleanser is better?
Estée Lauder is better for cleansers on this page, as its products help provide gentle and non-drying cleansing for the products on this page.
Which is more affordable, Estée Lauder or Olay?
Olay is generally more affordable than Estée Lauder, as reviewers on this page frequently note Estée Lauder for its high price point while Olay faces price concerns less often.
Estée Lauder or Olay: which brand offers more fragrance-free options?
Olay offers more fragrance-free options, as 26 of the 27 products on this page list no fragrance. In comparison, Estée Lauder features no fragrance in 12 of its 14 products on this page.
Estée Lauder or Olay: which has better routine fit for mature skin?
Olay has a superior routine fit for mature skin compared to Estée Lauder, which has a high fit. Olay features products like Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream that help improve skin texture.
Estée Lauder or Olay: which provides better deep hydration and moisture?
Estée Lauder does better for deep hydration and moisture based on the products on this page. Reviewers mostly mention deep hydration for Estée Lauder, and the brand's key ingredients include hyaluronic acid, which helps improve skin hydration.
Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Drug Delivery, 2017
Estée Lauder or Olay for oily skin?
Olay is a better choice for oily skin, as Lovi rates its routine fit as High compared to Estée Lauder's Average. Olay's products on this page help deliver a lightweight and fast-absorbing feel.
Estée Lauder or Olay: which moisturizer is better?
Olay offers superior and high-fitting moisturizers like Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream that help deliver intense hydration and texture smoothing, while the products on this page for Estée Lauder include options like Revitalizing Supreme+ with average to low fit levels for dry skin.
Dermatologic Therapy, 2022International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2005
Estée Lauder or Olay for sensitive skin?
Olay fits sensitive skin better than Estée Lauder, as Lovi rates Olay as Superior and Estée Lauder as High for sensitive skin. Reviewers note that Olay offers fragrance-free options, and niacinamide helps soothe and improve skin texture.
Estée Lauder or Olay: which sunscreen is better?
Estée Lauder is better for sunscreen based on the products on this page, as its DayWear Moisturizer achieves a Superior Lovi fit level across dry sensitive, dry, sensitive, and mature skin types, whereas Olay's sunscreen option generally shows lower fit levels. Lovi fit levels for the products on this page indicate that Estée Lauder provides stronger overall sunscreen performance for sensitive and mature skin.
Estée Lauder or Olay for acne-prone skin?
Both Estée Lauder and Olay are great options for acne-prone skin, as the products on this page show equal high routine fit levels for this skin type. Reviewers note that Estée Lauder offers gentle and non-drying cleansers, while Olay provides options with ingredients like niacinamide that help improve skin texture.
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
Chrysin protects epidermal keratinocytes from UVA- and UVB-induced damage
Vitamin C-squalene bioconjugate promotes epidermal thickening and collagen production in human skin
Reduction in the appearance of facial hyperpigmentation by topical N-acetyl glucosamine
Another Reason for Using Caffeine in Dermocosmetics: Sunscreen Adjuvant
Neuroimmunomodulatory compound for sensitive skin care: in vitro and clinical assessment
Comedogenicity in rabbit: some cosmetic ingredients/vehicles
Nanostructured Lipid Carrier for Topical Application of N-Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin recovery by Lavandula angustifolia leaf callus extract: Redox control of Nrf2 signaling
The anti wrinkle efficacy of synthetic hexapeptide (Argireline) in Chinese Subjects
Dually functionalized dendrimer for stimuli-responsive release of active ingredients into the skin
Functional properties and skin care effects of sodium trehalose sulfate
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
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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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