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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 known for their thoughtful ranges of moisturizers, serums, eye products, and cleansers. The first brand incorporates hydrating hyaluronic acid, nourishing glycerin, and invigorating caffeine to suit dry sensitive skin and oily skin best, while the second brand pairs niacinamide and glycerin to suit acne-prone skin and mature skin best. Ultimately, both brands differ through their unique ingredient combinations, as the former utilizes hyaluronic acid for wrinkle reduction and caffeine for UV protection, whereas the latter relies on niacinamide to improve pigmentation and skin aging.

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 · 98% fit

Clinique vs Olay routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Clinique vs Olay routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Clinique or Olay: which is better?

Olay is generally better for anti-aging and brightening benefits, as Lovi rates its fit for mature skin as Superior compared to Clinique's High. Reviewers also note that Olay provides better texture improvement and brightening, while Clinique is often preferred for gentle formulas.

What is the difference between Clinique and Olay?

Olay achieves Superior fit levels for mature, sensitive, and acne-prone skin, while Clinique reaches High fit levels for those skin types. Olay offers better texture improvement and brightening, whereas Clinique is noted for its gentle, fragrance-free formulations and makeup compatibility across the products on this page.

Clinique or Olay for dry skin?

Olay is a better fit for dry skin, achieving a high routine fit level compared to Clinique's average fit level on the products on this page. Reviewers note that Olay's options deliver intense hydration and improved texture for dry skin.

Clinique or Olay: which cleanser is better?

Clinique is better for gentle cleansers, as Lovi rates its Redness Solutions Soothing Cleanser as High for dry sensitive skin while Olay's Cleansing Melts rate as Caution.

Which is more affordable, Clinique or Olay?

Olay is more affordable than Clinique, as the products on this page often have review mentions of a high price point for Clinique while Olay is noted for better price and value.

Clinique or Olay: which brand is better for mature skin?

Olay is better for mature skin, achieving a Superior routine fit level compared to Clinique's High fit. Reviewers note that Olay delivers better texture improvement and brightening, while the products on this page help support aging skin with key ingredients like niacinamide and retinol.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000

Clinique or Olay: which has better options for fragrance-free products?

Clinique is better for fragrance-free options because every single product on the products on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas Olay has 26 out of 27 fragrance-free products with one exception containing fragrance.

Clinique or Olay: which brand performs better for brightening and radiance?

Olay performs better for brightening and radiance, as the products on this page help improve skin tone and texture. Lovi rates Olay's routine fit for skin with dark spots as High, compared to Clinique's Average.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Clinique or Olay for oily skin?

Both brands are a good choice for oily skin, as Lovi rates Olay High and Clinique High for this skin type.

Clinique or Olay: which moisturizer is better?

Olay tends to offer better-rated moisturizers on this page, with many options achieving Superior fit levels for mature and acne-prone skin. Clinique is also a strong choice for hydration, but the products on this page show that Olay generally leads in smoothing and texture improvement.

Clinique or Olay for sensitive skin?

Olay is the better choice for sensitive skin, as Lovi rates its fit as Superior while Clinique receives a High fit. Olay offers a gentle routine tailored for sensitive skin, though shoppers should note that one toner on the page contains fragrance.

Clinique or Olay for acne-prone skin?

Olay is better for acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates Olay as Superior and Clinique as Average for this skin type. Reviewers also note that Olay improves texture and smoothness, while Clinique sometimes causes breakouts.

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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