La Roche-Posay vs Olay
La Roche-Posay and Olay are skincare brands celebrated for addressing diverse dermatological needs. La Roche-Posay offers nourishing serums, rich moisturizers, gentle cleansers, and targeted eye products formulated with glycerin, soothing thermal water, and niacinamide, suiting mature skin and skin with dark spots best. Meanwhile, the brand features a rich portfolio of moisturizers, eye products, serums, and cleansers carefully formulated with niacinamide and glycerin to suit sensitive skin and mature skin. They primarily differ in their specific active combinations and targeted formulations, though both rely on science-backed ingredients to support skin health.
La Roche-Posay is a French skincare brand founded in 1975 and owned by L'Oréal S.A. since 1989.
laroche-posay.com.aufr.wikipedia.org
This page compares some of the most popular La Roche-Posay and Olay products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular La Roche-Posay vs Olay products
People Say
Fragrance-Free and Gentle Formulas Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “Great retinol for beginners — La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum”
- “Only cream that doesn't sting — La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermallergo Eye Cream”
- “doesn't strip my skin — Olay Regenerating Cream Cleanser”
- “fragrance-free — Olay Eye Lifting Serum”
Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “absorbs instantly — La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer”
- “skin feels plump — La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Serum”
- “Instantly smoother, softer, and more hydrated — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
- “light and smooth — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
Good Texture and Absorption Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “sinks in quickly — Olay Super Serum”
- “absorbs quickly — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
- “Absorbs so quickly! — Olay Regenerist Regenerating Serum”
- “lightweight and absorbs quickly — La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Serum”
Texture Improvement and Skin Smoothing Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “skin feels baby soft — Olay Retinol24”
- “Skin feels like silk — Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer”
- “velvety soft skin — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
- “Skin feels smoother — La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum”
Brightening and Dark Spot Fading Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “iridescent glow — Olay Super Serum”
- “hides dark shadows — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
- “skin looks brighter — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
- “skin looks brighter — La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Serum”
Skin Soothing and Redness Reduction Often MentionedNot noted
- “Calmed my skin after a chemical peel — La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water”
- “no stinging — La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer”
- “Calms redness instantly — La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+”
Packaging and Pump Issues Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “pump stops working — La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream”
- “Pump stopped working halfway — La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermallergo Eye Cream”
- “hard to dispense — Olay Super Serum”
- “dropper is frustrating — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
Strong or Disliked Fragrance Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “scent is awful — La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Serum”
- “overwhelming floral smell — La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Serum”
- “Fragrance can be an irritant — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
- “floral scent — Olay Super Serum”
Heavy, Greasy, or Sticky Feel Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “Wake up feeling a bit greasy — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
- “feels like a coating — Olay Regenerating Cream Cleanser”
- “feels sticky — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
- “Very sticky — La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C10 Serum”
La Roche-Posay 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
-
Moisturizer
Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€22.99
-
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
- Cleanser Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer Morning · Evening · Once a week
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Advanced Replenishing Toner
Morning
€34.00
-
Moisturizer
Pure Vitamin C Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€29.95
-
SPF
Anthelios
Morning
€17.49
-
Pre-Cleanser
Respectissime Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover
Evening · Once a week
€17.75
-
Serum or Treatment
Cicaplast Baume B5+
Evening · Once a week
€10.95
-
Nourishing Mask
Abib Rice Probiotics Overnight Mask
Once a week
€15.30
La Roche-Posay 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
MELA B3 Facial Gel Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€17.65
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
€36.00
-
Moisturizer
Toleriane Dermallergo Night Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€21.35
-
SPF
Anthelios
Morning
€17.49
-
Pre-Cleanser
Micellar Water Ultra
Evening · Once a week
€17.85
-
Cleansing Toner
Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Toner
Evening
€16.90
-
Serum or Treatment
Cicaplast Baume B5+
Evening · Once a week
€10.95
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€48.55
-
Cleansing Mask
Effaclar Mask
Once a week
€12.45
La Roche-Posay 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
MELA B3 Facial Gel Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€17.65
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
€36.00
-
Moisturizer
Toleriane Dermallergo Night Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€21.35
-
SPF
Anthelios
Morning
€17.49
-
Pre-Cleanser
Respectissime Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover
Evening · Once a week
€17.75
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
€16.98
-
Serum or Treatment
Cicaplast Baume B5+
Evening · Once a week
€10.95
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€48.55
-
Cleansing Mask
Effaclar Mask
Once a week
€12.45
Questions and answers
La Roche-Posay or Olay: which is better?
Both brands offer a High routine fit for most skin types on this page, but Olay achieves a Superior fit for sensitive and mature skin. Olay also tends to perform better for texture improvement and dark spot fading, whereas La Roche-Posay excels in skin soothing and redness reduction.
What is the difference between La Roche-Posay and Olay?
La Roche-Posay and Olay both offer high or superior routine fit levels across most skin types on this page, but Olay does better for texture improvement and brightening while La Roche-Posay is better for soothing sensitive skin. Olay features a higher percentage of fragrance-free products on this page, with 26 out of 27 listing no fragrance compared to 21 out of 35 for La Roche-Posay.
La Roche-Posay or Olay for dry skin?
Both La Roche-Posay and Olay are good options for dry skin, as the products on this page achieve a High fit level for this skin type with either brand.
La Roche-Posay or Olay: which cleanser is better?
Both brands offer cleansers with high fit levels for acne-prone, oily, and combination skin, but La Roche-Posay achieves a Superior fit for sensitive skin with its Toleriane Hydrating Foaming Gel. Reviewers note that both brands help provide gentle cleansing, though La Roche-Posay features more products without added fragrance.
Which is more affordable, La Roche-Posay or Olay?
The products on this page for both La Roche-Posay and Olay do not have pricing information available, but reviewers note price, value, and size concerns for La Roche-Posay.
La Roche-Posay or Olay for dark spots?
Both La Roche-Posay and Olay are great options for skin with dark spots, as the routine fit for this concern is High for both brands on the products on this page. Olay does better in review themes for brightening and dark spot fading, while La Roche-Posay relies on key ingredients like niacinamide, which helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation.
La Roche-Posay or Olay for fragrance-free options?
Both brands offer fragrance-free options, as 21 of 35 La Roche-Posay products and 26 of 27 Olay products on this page list no fragrance.
La Roche-Posay or Olay for oily skin?
Both La Roche-Posay and Olay are a High fit for oily skin. The products on this page for both brands offer reliable options, with Olay providing good texture and absorption while La Roche-Posay features targeted cleansers and serums.
La Roche-Posay or Olay: which moisturizer is better?
Both La Roche-Posay and Olay offer moisturizers with a High routine fit for dry skin, and Olay achieves a Superior fit for mature skin with its Regenerist Luminous Tone Perfecting Cream. Reviewers note that Olay provides good texture and intense hydration, while La Roche-Posay's moisturizers are frequently praised for being lightweight and soothing.
La Roche-Posay or Olay for sensitive skin?
Both La Roche-Posay and Olay are great options, as Lovi rates both brands as having a High fit level for sensitive skin. Reviewers note that both brands offer fragrance-free and gentle formulas, while La Roche-Posay particularly excels in skin soothing and redness reduction.
La Roche-Posay or Olay: which sunscreen is better?
La Roche-Posay offers a sun protection product on this page, Anthelios, that helps provide a Superior fit for sensitive skin, skin with dark spots, combination skin, acne-prone skin, and mature skin. Olay also includes sunscreen options on this page, such as Complete All Day Moisturizer SPF 15 and Regenerist Whip Face Moisturizer SPF 25, which may provide an Average to High fit depending on the specific skin type.
La Roche-Posay or Olay for mature skin?
Both La Roche-Posay and Olay are great options for mature skin, as their routines offer a High fit level and a Superior fit level respectively. Reviewers note that Olay does better for texture improvement and skin smoothing, while La Roche-Posay provides strong soothing and anti-aging benefits with ingredients like retinol and hyaluronic acid.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Dermatologic Therapy, 2022
Research behind their key ingredients
Molecular basis of retinol anti-ageing properties in naturally aged human skin in vivo
Topical palmitoyl pentapeptide provides improvement in photoaged human facial skin
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
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
A Bayesian network meta-analysis of 14 molecules inhibiting UV daylight-induced pigmentation
Amino acid complex (AAComplex) benefits in cosmetic products: In vitro and in vivo clinical studies
Comparative benefit of two thermal spring waters after photodynamic therapy procedure
Neuroimmunomodulatory compound for sensitive skin care: in vitro and clinical assessment
Comedogenicity in rabbit: some cosmetic ingredients/vehicles
Comprehensive assessment of the efficacy and safety of a clay mask in oily and acne skin
Comparison of methods for assessing photoprotection against ultraviolet A in vivo
Dually functionalized dendrimer for stimuli-responsive release of active ingredients into the skin
Histometric assessment of the age-related skin response to 2-hydroxy-5-octanoyl benzoic acid
Nanocomplex of quaternized cyclodextrin grafted chitosan and hyaluronic acid for a skin delivery
Retrospective Review of Dermal Safety Studies of Organic Sunscreens
Effects of an ultraviolet B radiation absorber on photocarcinogenesis in hairless albino mice
In vitro analysis of immunoprotective effects of topical 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
-

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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