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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 two trusted American skincare brands known for their thoughtful selections of cleansers, serums, moisturizers, and more. The former relies on glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and dimethicone to suit sensitive and dry skin best, whereas the latter utilizes niacinamide and glycerin to support mature and acne-prone skin best. While both brands champion gentle efficacy, they differ in their targeted ingredients and the specific moisture barrier needs they prioritize.

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 · 96% fit

Neutrogena vs Olay routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

Neutrogena or Olay: which is better?

Olay achieves a Superior Lovi fit for mature skin, whereas Neutrogena reaches a High fit level. For the products on this page, Olay outperforms Neutrogena in anti-aging and skin texture, as well as radiance and brightening, while both brands offer equal levels of hydration and gentle formulas.

What is the difference between Neutrogena and Olay?

Olay achieves a Superior fit level for mature skin, whereas Neutrogena reaches a High fit level for this skin type. Furthermore, the products on this page from Olay perform better in anti-aging, skin texture, radiance, and lightweight absorption.

Neutrogena or Olay for dry skin?

Both Neutrogena and Olay achieve a High Lovi fit level for dry skin. The products on this page help deliver deep hydration with key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin.

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

Neutrogena or Olay: which cleanser is better?

Neutrogena and Olay both offer cleansers with High or Superior Lovi fit levels for acne-prone, sensitive, and mature skin. The products on this page help cleanse while supporting various skin types effectively.

Which is more affordable, Neutrogena or Olay?

This page does not compare prices or affordability for Neutrogena and Olay, so it is unclear which brand is more affordable.

Between Neutrogena and Olay, which brand performs better for mature skin?

Olay achieves a Superior Lovi fit level for mature skin, performing better than Neutrogena which reaches a High fit level for this skin type.

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

Neutrogena offers 35 fragrance-free products alongside 4 options with fragrance, while Olay features 26 fragrance-free choices and just 1 product containing fragrance on the products on this page.

Which brand has more products with a Superior Lovi fit level for skin with dark spots?

Olay has more products on this page with a Superior Lovi fit level for skin with dark spots, including its Regenerist Luminous Tone Perfecting Cream and Brightening Eye Cream. Neutrogena is unlikely to match this with its offerings on the page.

Neutrogena or Olay for oily skin?

Both Neutrogena and Olay achieve a High Lovi fit for oily skin with the products on this page. Reviewers note that both brands provide lightweight and fast-absorbing options.

Neutrogena or Olay: which moisturizer is better?

Olay offers superior routine fit for mature skin compared to Neutrogena, while both brands achieve a high fit level for dry skin moisturizers on this page. Retinol helps stimulate collagen accumulation in naturally aged skin.

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

Neutrogena or Olay for sensitive skin?

Both Neutrogena and Olay achieve a High Lovi fit for sensitive skin among the products on this page. Neutrogena is best suited for sensitive skin, dry skin, and mature skin, while Olay fits best for mature skin, acne-prone skin, and sensitive skin.

Neutrogena or Olay: which sunscreen is better?

Neutrogena and Olay both offer sunscreens on this page, but Neutrogena features a broader dedicated sun protection lineup with options like Clear Face Liquid Lotion Sunscreen and Sport Face Sunscreen achieving Superior Lovi fit levels for several skin types. Olay includes protective moisturizers such as Regenerist Whip Face Moisturizer SPF 25, which has a High fit level for mature and dry sensitive skin.

Neutrogena or Olay for acne-prone skin?

Both Neutrogena and Olay achieve a High Lovi fit for acne-prone skin with 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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