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Medik8 vs Olay

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

Medik8 and Olay are established skincare labels offering comprehensive product portfolios spanning serums, moisturizers, eye products, cleansers, and toners. The British brand is built around hyaluronic acid and suits dry and dry sensitive skin best, whereas the second brand is formulated with niacinamide and glycerin to suit sensitive and mature skin best. While both brands feature standout targeted solutions for acne-prone skin, dark spots, and aging, they differ primarily through their signature ingredient profiles and ideal skin type matches.

Medik8 is a British skincare brand founded in 2009 and owned by L'Oréal Groupe since 2025.

loreal.commedik8.comtracxn.com

This page compares some of the most popular Medik8 and Olay products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Medik8 vs Olay products

People Say

Medik8Olay
  • Texture and Absorption Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “sinks in quickly — Olay Super Serum”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Olay Retinol24”
    • “Skin feels like silk — Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer”
    • “absorbed effortlessly — Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream”
  • Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Instantly smoother, softer, and more hydrated — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
    • “light and smooth — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
    • “hydrates the skin — Olay Advanced Eye Cream”
    • “Restores moisture — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
  • Gentle Formulation Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “zero irritation or peeling — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “only Vitamin C my sensitive skin can tolerate — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “Best retinol replacement — Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides”
    • “doesn't strip my skin — Olay Regenerating Cream Cleanser”
  • Brightening and Glow Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “I wake up glowing. It adds back that youthful bloom that I've lost. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
    • “unlocked a serious glow — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “iridescent glow — Olay Super Serum”
    • “hides dark shadows — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
  • Skin Improvement and Clarity Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “smoother skin — Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “skin feels firmer — Medik8 Oxy-R Peptides”
    • “tiny beads aren't harsh — Olay Regenerating Cream Cleanser”
  • Pleasant Experience and Scent Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “smells like a spa — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “smell is gorgeous — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “smells amazing — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
    • “light fresh scent — Olay Regenerating Cream Cleanser”
  • Price and Value Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “expensive for drugstore — Olay Super Serum”
    • “expensive — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
    • “Expensive per bottle — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
  • Packaging Issues Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Glass bottle breaks easily — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “hard to get last bit — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “click mechanism tricky — Medik8 Oxy-R Peptides”
    • “hard to dispense — Olay Super Serum”
  • Slow or Ineffective Results Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Not as effective as retinol — Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides”
    • “no difference — Medik8 Oxy-R Peptides”
    • “no difference — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
    • “minimal firming effect — Olay Eye Lifting Serum”

Medik8 vs Olay routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Medik8 vs Olay routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Medik8 vs Olay routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Medik8 or Olay: which is better?

Both brands perform well, but Medik8 has a Lovi fit level of Superior for dry skin, dry sensitive skin, and combination skin, while Olay has a Superior fit for mature skin. Reviewers find that Olay offers better texture and hydration with lower prices, whereas Medik8 provides more gentle formulations and clearer skin improvement.

What is the difference between Medik8 and Olay?

Medik8 is known for a gentler formulation, while Olay offers better texture, absorption, and hydration across the products on this page.

Medik8 or Olay for dry skin?

For dry skin, Medik8 is the better choice because the products on this page provide a Superior routine fit compared to Olay's High fit.

Medik8 or Olay: which cleanser is better?

Medik8 stands out for its cleanser on the products on this page, achieving a Superior fit level for acne-prone skin, skin with dark spots, and oily acne-prone skin. In contrast, Olay's cleansers range widely in fit levels without hitting the same top-tier ratings across those specific skin types.

Which is more affordable, Medik8 or Olay?

Olay is more affordable, as reviewers often mention Medik8 has a high price point while noting Olay is better for price and value.

Which brand has better texture and absorption, Medik8 or Olay?

Olay is better for texture and absorption among the products on this page.

Medik8 or Olay: which has better packaging?

Medik8 is noted for having packaging issues, while Olay tends to have fewer reported concerns in this area.

Medik8 or Olay for oily skin?

Both Medik8 and Olay fit oily skin well, as the products on this page achieve a High fit level for this skin type.

Medik8 or Olay: which moisturizer is better?

Medik8 is better for dry skin with a Superior routine fit, while Olay is better for mature skin with a Superior routine fit from the products on this page.

Medik8 or Olay for sensitive skin?

Medik8 achieves a Superior routine fit for sensitive skin, whereas Olay reaches a Superior fit as well. Medik8 is often noted for gentle and non-irritating serums.

Medik8 or Olay for acne-prone skin?

Both Medik8 and Olay fit acne-prone skin at a High level on this page. Medik8 features gentle formulas that reviewers often praise, while Olay offers options containing niacinamide, which helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Medik8 or Olay for mature skin?

Olay is a better choice for mature skin on this page, offering a Superior routine fit compared to Medik8's High level. Olay features key anti-aging ingredients like niacinamide and peptides, which help reduce signs of aging and improve skin texture.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

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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