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The INKEY List vs Olay

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

The INKEY List and Olay are accessible skincare brands offering moisturizers, serums, eye products, and more. The British brand centers its glycerin-based formulas on sensitive and combination skin, while Olay relies on niacinamide and glycerin to suit mature and acne-prone skin best. Although both brands feature targeted solutions for dark spots and aging, the first differentiates itself through specialized options like its PHA Toner, whereas the latter emphasizes gentle efficacy across its classic lineup.

The INKEY List is a British skincare brand founded in 2018 and owned by Brand Evangelists for Beauty Limited.

cosmeticsbusiness.comprnewswire.comtheinkeylist.comtracxn.com

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

Popular The INKEY List vs Olay products

People Say

The INKEY ListOlay
  • Lightweight and Fast-Absorbing Texture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “sits beautifully under makeup — The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream”
    • “Gel consistency — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
    • “sinks in quickly — Olay Super Serum”
    • “absorbs quickly — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
  • Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Super hydrating — The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum”
    • “intense nourishment — The INKEY List Collagen Peptide Serum”
    • “Instantly smoother, softer, and more hydrated — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
    • “light and smooth — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
  • Skin 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 softer — The INKEY List PHA Toner”
  • Gentle on Skin Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Great for sensitive skin — The INKEY List PHA Toner”
    • “Safe and gentle especially for my dry, sensitive skin — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
    • “calmed my menopausal redness — The INKEY List ECTOIN HYDRO-BARRIER SERUM”
    • “tiny beads aren't harsh — Olay Regenerating Cream Cleanser”
  • Affordable Value and Pricing Mostly MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Good for the price — The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser”
    • “One of the best balms for quality and also price — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
    • “unbeatable value — The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
    • “Better than high-end moisturizers — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
  • 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”
    • “Visibly reduces acne scars — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
  • Packaging Issues Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Pump breaks easily — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
    • “Very difficult to squeeze out at first — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
    • “hard to dispense — Olay Super Serum”
    • “dropper is frustrating — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
  • Unpleasant Scent or Fragrance Issues Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Smells like BBQ/meat — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
    • “Smells like chemicals — The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum”
    • “Fragrance can be an irritant — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
    • “floral scent — Olay Super Serum”

The INKEY List vs Olay routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

The INKEY List vs Olay routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

The INKEY List vs Olay routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

The INKEY List or Olay: which is better?

Both The INKEY List and Olay are great choices, with The INKEY List doing better for sensitive skin and affordable value, while Olay does better for mature skin and brightening. Overall, both brands offer high routine fit levels across most skin types, featuring key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide that help hydrate the skin and improve texture.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

What is the difference between The INKEY List and Olay?

The INKEY List offers a better fit for sensitive skin with its fragrance-free approach, while Olay is a superior match for mature skin.

The INKEY List or Olay for dry skin?

Both The INKEY List and Olay are a High fit for dry skin. Reviewers often mention that the products on this page provide intense hydration.

The INKEY List or Olay: which cleanser is better?

Both The INKEY List and Olay offer cleansers that fit sensitive skin at a High level on this page. Reviewers report that The INKEY List provides better gentle value, while Olay delivers a smoother texture.

Which is more affordable, The INKEY List or Olay?

The INKEY List does better for affordable value and pricing compared to Olay.

Between The INKEY List and Olay, which brand is better for mature skin?

Olay is better for mature skin, achieving a Superior routine fit compared to The INKEY List's High fit level. Studies show that ingredients like retinol help improve the appearance of naturally aged human skin.

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

Which brand has better options for brightening and radiance, The INKEY List or Olay?

Olay does better for brightening and radiance among the products on this page. Niacinamide helps reduce skin pigmentation, and vitamin C may improve radiance.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

How do The INKEY List and Olay compare regarding fragrance in their products?

Both The INKEY List and Olay offer a high number of fragrance-free options among the products on this page. Specifically, every product listed for The INKEY List contains no fragrance in its ingredients, while nearly all of Olay's products are fragrance-free with only one exception.

The INKEY List or Olay for oily skin?

Both The INKEY List and Olay offer a High routine fit for oily skin. The products on this page for both brands feature lightweight and fast-absorbing textures.

The INKEY List or Olay: which moisturizer is better?

Both The INKEY List and Olay offer highly rated moisturizers on this page for different needs. The products on this page show that Olay features options like Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream which is well-suited for mature skin, while The INKEY List provides budget-friendly staples like the Omega Water Cream and Polyglutamic Acid Serum.

The INKEY List or Olay for sensitive skin?

The INKEY List is a better fit for sensitive skin, achieving a Superior rating compared to Olay's High rating.

The INKEY List or Olay for acne-prone skin?

Both The INKEY List and Olay offer a High routine fit for acne-prone skin. The INKEY List features acne-fighting products like its Salicylic Acid Cleanser and PHA Toner, whereas Olay provides options such as its Super Serum and Regenerating Cream Cleanser.

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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