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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 two trusted skincare brands beloved for their thoughtful selections of gentle moisturizers, cleansers, and serums formulated with niacinamide and glycerin. Simple is known for its cleansers, toners, and moisturizers that suit oily and acne-prone skin best, while Olay is recognized for its moisturizers, eye products, and serums that suit mature and acne-prone skin best. Both brands harness niacinamide and glycerin to improve hydration, barrier function, hyperpigmentation, and signs of aging. They differ primarily in their product assortment and specific target skin types, offering distinct treatments for varied skincare needs.

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 · 96% fit

Simple vs Olay routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

Simple or Olay: which is better?

Simple offers more value-friendly options and is gentler on sensitive skin, while Olay is better at improving skin texture and fits mature skin at a Superior level.

What is the difference between Simple and Olay?

Simple offers more affordable, value-friendly products on this page that are fragrance-free and gentle on sensitive skin, whereas Olay provides a wider range featuring ingredients like peptides and retinol that may help improve skin texture and signs of aging.

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

Simple or Olay for dry skin?

Both Simple and Olay are a good option for dry skin, as Lovi rates the routine fit for dry skin as High for each brand. The products on this page for Simple list no fragrance, while Olay offers intense hydration.

Simple or Olay: which cleanser is better?

Simple features cleansers that are fragrance-free across the products on this page, whereas Olay includes options with fragrance. Lovi rates the cleansers for both brands as having varying fit levels depending on the specific skin type.

Which is more affordable, Simple or Olay?

Simple is more affordable than Olay, as reviewers frequently note its affordable price point and value. The products on this page offer budget-friendly options compared to Olay's extensive skincare line.

Which brand has more fragrance-free options, Simple or Olay?

Simple has more fragrance-free options because every product on this page lists no fragrance, whereas Olay includes fragrance in at least one product on this page.

Simple or Olay for improving skin texture?

Olay does better for improving skin texture. Its products on this page help with smoother skin and improved texture through key ingredients like retinol, which stimulates collagen accumulation.

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

Simple or Olay for oily skin?

Both Simple and Olay provide an equal High routine fit for oily skin. The products on this page for Simple are completely fragrance-free, while Olay includes fragrance in only one toner.

Simple or Olay: which moisturizer is better?

Simple offers lightweight and value-friendly moisturizers, while Olay provides options with a superior fit for mature skin. Both brands feature moisturizers containing glycerin and niacinamide, which helps hydrate the skin and may improve its tone.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Simple or Olay for sensitive skin?

Simple is better than Olay for sensitive skin, as the products on this page are consistently gentle and every product on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Simple or Olay for acne-prone skin?

Simple and Olay are both a High fit for acne-prone skin on the products on this page. Reviewers note that both brands help provide lightweight hydration, while Niacinamide in their formulations may help control skin issues.

Antioxidants, 2021The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Simple or Olay for mature skin?

Olay is better for mature skin, as Lovi rates its fit as Superior compared to Average for Simple. Retinol helps stimulate collagen accumulation in naturally aged human skin.

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

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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