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Neutrogena vs Olay

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

Neutrogena and Olay are American skincare mainstays that offer thoughtful arrays of moisturizers, sunscreens, cleansers, serums, and more. Neutrogena relies on trusted ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and dimethicone, while the other brand pairs niacinamide and glycerin. Both brands suit mature and acne-prone skin best, though they differ through their distinct formulations and targeted solutions.

Neutrogena is an American skincare brand founded in 1930 and owned by Kimberly-Clark Corporation since 2026.

investor.kimberly-clark.comen.wikipedia.orginvestors.kenvue.com

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

Popular Neutrogena vs Olay products

People Say

NeutrogenaOlay
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Skin looked plumper and radiant — Neutrogena HYDRO BOOST WATER CREAM”
    • “It also hydrates my skin. This cream has been so easy to add to my routine. — Neutrogena Retinol Regenerating Cream”
    • “Instantly smoother, softer, and more hydrated — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
    • “light and smooth — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
  • Lightweight and Fast-Absorbing Texture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “sinks in quickly — Olay Super Serum”
    • “absorbs quickly — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
    • “Absorbs so quickly! — Olay Regenerist Regenerating Serum”
    • “Absorbs instantly without sticky residue — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
  • Fragrance-Free and Gentle Formulas Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “leaves skin soft and balanced — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
    • “love that it has no scent — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
    • “doesn't strip my skin — Olay Regenerating Cream Cleanser”
    • “No irritation at all — Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer”
  • Anti-Aging and Skin Texture 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 is looking smoother — Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream”
  • Radiance, Brightening, and Tone Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “iridescent glow — Olay Super Serum”
    • “hides dark shadows — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
    • “skin looks brighter — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
    • “Gave me a glass-skin glow — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Hydrogel Mask”
  • Makeup Compatibility and Base Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Foundation glides right over it — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
    • “Concealer doesn't cake or get stuck in crevices — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Eye Gel-Cream”
    • “absorbs instantly — Olay Eye Lifting Serum”
    • “acts as primer — Olay Super Serum”
  • Packaging and Value Concerns Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Jar is too small for the price — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
    • “Runs out quickly — Neutrogena HYDRO BOOST WATER CREAM”
    • “hard to dispense — Olay Super Serum”
    • “expensive — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
  • Ineffective or Slow Results Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Eye holes are too small — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Hydrogel Mask”
    • “Not moisturizing enough for winter months — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
    • “no visible difference — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
    • “no difference — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
  • Texture Flaws and Pilling Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “leaves greasy film — Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover”
    • “leaves a purple/blue tint — Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen”
    • “Wake up feeling a bit greasy — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
    • “cakes up all over — Olay Advanced Eye Cream”

Neutrogena vs Olay routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Neutrogena vs Olay routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Neutrogena vs Olay routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Neutrogena or Olay: which is better?

Olay performs better overall on the products on this page, offering superior results for anti-aging, skin texture, radiance, and brightening.

What is the difference between Neutrogena and Olay?

Olay achieves a Superior fit level for sensitive, acne-prone, mature, and oily acne-prone skin, whereas Neutrogena reaches a High fit level for those skin types. Olay does better for anti-aging and skin texture, while the products on this page for both brands offer equal hydration and moisture.

Neutrogena or Olay for dry skin?

Both Neutrogena and Olay are a High fit for dry skin with the products on this page. Reviewers note that Neutrogena delivers deeply hydrating moisturizers, while Olay offers intense hydration and improved texture.

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

Neutrogena or Olay: which cleanser is better?

Neutrogena has superior options for cleansers, featuring products like the Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser that fits sensitive, mature, acne-prone, and combination skin at a Superior level. Reviewers note that both brands offer fragrance-free and gentle formulas equally.

Which is more affordable, Neutrogena or Olay?

The products on this page do not provide pricing information, so neither Neutrogena nor Olay can be called more affordable here.

Neutrogena or Olay: which brand performs better for anti-aging and skin texture?

Olay performs better for anti-aging and skin texture. Retinol helps reduce signs of aging by stimulating collagen accumulation in aged skin.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Archives of Dermatology, 2007

Neutrogena or Olay: which brand is better suited for dry sensitive skin?

Olay is better suited for dry sensitive skin, offering a High routine fit compared to Neutrogena's Average fit on this page.

How do the fragrance options compare between Neutrogena and Olay products?

Neutrogena has 35 out of 39 products on this page listing no fragrance, while Olay has 26 out of 27 products listing no fragrance. Both brands offer mostly fragrance-free options across the products on this page.

Neutrogena or Olay for oily skin?

Both Neutrogena and Olay achieve a High fit for oily skin with the products on this page. Olay may offer better anti-aging and texture benefits for oily skin, whereas Neutrogena provides strong oil-free and acne-fighting options.

Neutrogena or Olay: which moisturizer is better?

Olay delivers better results for anti-aging and skin texture across the products on this page compared to Neutrogena. Retinol helps reduce signs of aging, while hyaluronic acid helps provide deep hydration.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

Neutrogena or Olay for sensitive skin?

Olay achieves a Superior routine fit for sensitive skin, while Neutrogena reaches a High fit on this page. Reviewers note that Olay delivers better anti-aging and skin texture results, and niacinamide helps reduce pigmentation and soothe skin.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Neutrogena or Olay: which sunscreen is better?

Neutrogena has a wider range of sunscreens on this page, with several options achieving a Superior Lovi fit level for combination, sensitive, and oily acne-prone skin. Olay offers fewer sunscreens on this page, and their options generally reach an Average or High fit level across most skin types.

Neutrogena or Olay for acne-prone skin?

Olay has a Superior fit for acne-prone skin, while Neutrogena has a High fit for the products on this page.

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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