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Simple vs Olay

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

Simple and Olay are established skincare brands known for gentle formulations that pair niacinamide and glycerin to support various complex needs. Simple offers soothing moisturizers, makeup removers, cleansers, and toners that suit acne-prone skin and skin with dark spots best, whereas Olay features targeted moisturizers, eye products, serums, and cleansers that suit acne-prone skin and mature skin best. While both brands harness niacinamide to reduce hyperpigmentation, improve wrinkles, and address aging signs while using glycerin to enhance hydration and barrier function, they differ in their specific standout products and the exact blend of skin types they serve.

Simple is a British skincare brand founded in 1960 and owned by Unilever PLC since 2011.

en.wikipedia.orgsec.govprnewswire.comsimple.co.uk

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

Popular Simple vs Olay products

People Say

SimpleOlay
  • Gentle on sensitive skin Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Does not cause any form of irritation on the skin which I love. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “The only cleanser that doesn't turn my face red. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “no artificial perfume — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “fragrance-free — Olay Eye Lifting Serum”
  • Hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “banished dryness within days — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “Instantly boosts skin's hydration... face doesn't feel dry and tight. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “Instantly smoother, softer, and more hydrated — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
    • “light and smooth — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy feel Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
    • “absorbs very quickly — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “absorbs quickly — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
    • “absorbs instantly — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
  • Fragrance-free formula Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Love that it has absolutely no scent. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “love that it's alcohol-free — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
    • “No strong smell — Simple Refreshing Facial Wash”
    • “no scent — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
  • Improves skin texture Not notedMostly 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”
  • Affordable price point and value Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “great value for money — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
    • “super affordable — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “Can't beat the price for the quality. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “Better than high-end moisturizers — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
  • Caused breakouts and skin reactions Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Gave me tiny bumps on my forehead. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “caused major breakouts — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “caused cystic acne — Olay Retinol24”
    • “Caused breakouts — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
  • Packaging and leaking issues Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Worried about the snap top bottle leaking when travelling. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “The cap broke off immediately. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “hard to get last bit out — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “hard to dispense — Olay Super Serum”
  • Residue and film left on skin Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Feels slimy on skin — Simple Refreshing Facial Wash”
    • “Still feeling a little bit of a film on my skin. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “Wake up feeling a bit greasy — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
    • “cakes up all over — Olay Advanced Eye Cream”

Simple vs Olay routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Simple vs Olay routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Simple vs Olay routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Simple or Olay: which is better?

Simple tends to be better for sensitive skin due to its completely fragrance-free lineup and gentle formulations, while Olay is better for mature and acne-prone skin, offering superior targeted anti-aging and blemish care.

What is the difference between Simple and Olay?

Simple stands out for being exceptionally gentle on sensitive skin and budget-friendly, while Olay is better suited for improving skin texture and targeting signs of aging. Both brands feature fragrance-free options across the products on this page.

Simple or Olay for dry skin?

Both Simple and Olay offer a high routine fit for dry skin. The products on this page for both brands feature hydrating ingredients like glycerin and niacinamide to help keep dry skin moisturized.

Simple or Olay: which cleanser is better?

Simple offers better cleansers for sensitive skin, while Olay cleansers on this page fit mature and acne-prone skin better.

Which is more affordable, Simple or Olay?

Simple is more affordable, as reviewers on this page frequently mention its affordable price point and value. Olay is not noted for being a budget-friendly option in the same way.

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

Olay is better for mature skin, as Lovi rates its fit level as Superior while Simple products on this page have an Average fit for mature skin. Retinol and peptides in Olay products help stimulate collagen and improve the signs of aging in skin.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2005

Simple or Olay: which offers more fragrance-free options?

Simple offers more fragrance-free options as every product on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas Olay includes fragrance in one of its products on this page.

Simple or Olay: which is better for improving skin texture?

Olay does better for improving skin texture. Olay includes key ingredients like retinol, peptides, and niacinamide, which help smooth skin and support anti-aging effects.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2005

Simple or Olay for oily skin?

Both Simple and Olay offer a high routine fit for oily skin. Reviewers note that both brands provide a lightweight feel, and every product on this page for Simple lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Simple or Olay: which moisturizer is better?

Both brands offer solid moisturizer choices, but Olay stands out with superior fits for mature and sensitive skin on this page. Reviewers note that Olay brings intense hydration and improves texture, while Simple is praised for lightweight, value-friendly moisturizers.

Simple or Olay for sensitive skin?

Simple is the better choice for sensitive skin because its products on this page list no fragrance and reviewers mention it is gentle on sensitive skin. Lovi rates Olay as Superior for sensitive skin, whereas Simple is High.

Simple or Olay for acne-prone skin?

Olay is better for acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates its fit as Superior while Simple has a High fit for this skin type. Reviewers note that Olay improves texture and smoothness, while Simple is known for being gentle on sensitive skin.

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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