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CeraVe vs Olay

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

CeraVe and Olay are popular skincare brands offering thoughtful ranges of moisturizers, cleansers, serums, sunscreens, and more. Both lines thoughtfully pair glycerin with other key ingredients, as CeraVe relies on hyaluronic acid while Olay utilizes niacinamide to improve wrinkles and hydration. While the American brand founded in 2005 suits acne-prone and combination skin best, the other brand gently cares for acne-prone and mature skin.

CeraVe is an American skincare brand founded in 2005 and owned by L'Oréal since 2017.

en.wikipedia.orghappi.comloreal-finance.comcerave.com

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

Popular CeraVe vs Olay products

People Say

CeraVeOlay
  • Lightweight and Non-Greasy Texture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Absorbs into skin without residue — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Sinks right into your skin — CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “absorbs quickly — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
    • “absorbs instantly — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
  • Deep Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Saved my dry winter skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “woke up with plump skin — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
    • “cured my dry patches — CeraVe Eye Repair Cream”
    • “My skin feels so hydrated and plump. — Olay Regenerist Regenerating Serum”
  • Fragrance-Free Formula Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “No scent, no irritation — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “Great for sensitive skin — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “No irritation at all — Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer”
    • “no scent — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
  • Gentle and Non-Stripping Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “doesn't leave face tight — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “no burning sensation — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “clean but not dry — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
  • Skin Smoothing Not 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”
  • Improves Skin Texture Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “smoother complexion — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “less greasy — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
    • “smooths fine lines — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
    • “Makeup goes on so smooth — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
  • Packaging Issues Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “no safety seal included — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
    • “tube splitting at seams — CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum”
    • “hard to dispense — Olay Super Serum”
    • “dropper is frustrating — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”

CeraVe vs Olay routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

CeraVe vs Olay routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 97% fit

CeraVe vs Olay routines for combination skin

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Questions and answers

CeraVe or Olay: which is better?

Both brands offer great options, with CeraVe providing superior fit levels for combination skin and Olay providing superior fit levels for mature skin and sensitive skin. For deep hydration and gentle, non-stripping cleansing, the products on this page show CeraVe does better.

What is the difference between CeraVe and Olay?

CeraVe and Olay both offer effective routines for various skin types, but CeraVe provides superior fit levels for combination and acne-prone skin, whereas Olay provides superior fit levels for mature and sensitive skin. Reviewers indicate that CeraVe does better for deep hydration and gentle, non-stripping cleansers, while Olay is noted for skin smoothing. Ceramides in CeraVe help repair skin barrier lipids, and peptides in Olay may improve photoaged skin.

International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2005

CeraVe or Olay for dry skin?

Both CeraVe and Olay offer a high routine fit for dry skin among the products on this page. CeraVe formulas commonly feature ceramides that help restore the skin barrier, while Olay products often include niacinamide to improve hydration and texture.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

CeraVe or Olay: which cleanser is better?

CeraVe offers better-rated cleansers on this page, with top options like the Hydrating Facial Cleanser and Foaming Facial Cleanser achieving Superior fit levels for multiple skin types. Olay features fewer specialized cleanser choices on the page, and its Cleansing Melts receive lower fit levels.

Which is more affordable, CeraVe or Olay?

The products on this page do not list pricing information, so a comparison of affordability cannot be made from these details.

CeraVe or Olay for oily skin?

Both CeraVe and Olay offer a High routine fit level for oily skin. Reviewers note that the products on this page for both brands provide lightweight and non-greasy textures.

CeraVe or Olay: which moisturizer is better?

Both brands offer great moisturizers, with CeraVe standing out for deep hydration and Olay excelling in skin smoothing. For dry skin, the products on this page show both brands reach a high fit level. Hyaluronic acid helps maintain skin moisture.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

CeraVe or Olay for sensitive skin?

Olay is better suited for sensitive skin, as Lovi rates its routine as Superior compared to CeraVe's High fit level. Both brands offer fragrance-free options across the products on this page to help minimize irritation.

CeraVe or Olay: which sunscreen is better?

Both brands offer sunscreens on this page, and CeraVe achieves a Superior fit level for mature skin and dry sensitive skin with its Hydrating Sheer Sunscreen SPF 30. Olay provides sunscreens such as Regenerist Whip Face Moisturizer SPF 25, which helps protect the skin.

CeraVe or Olay for acne-prone skin?

Both brands are great choices for acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates both CeraVe and Olay as Superior for this skin type. Reviewers note that CeraVe offers effective cleansers for acne and oil, while Olay products help improve texture and smoothness.

CeraVe or Olay for mature skin?

Olay is a better fit for mature skin, where Lovi rates its routine as Superior compared to CeraVe's High level. Topical palmitoyl pentapeptide helps improve photoaged human facial skin.

International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2005

CeraVe or Olay for combination skin?

For combination skin, CeraVe achieves a Superior Lovi fit level, whereas Olay reaches a High fit level.

CeraVe or Olay for skin with dark spots?

Both brands are a good match for skin with dark spots, as Lovi rates the routine fit for this concern as High for CeraVe and High for Olay. Niacinamide, a key ingredient featured across the products on this page, helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and suppress melanosome transfer.

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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