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The Ordinary vs Olay

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

The Ordinary and Olay are two skincare lines known for distinct formulations and ingredient profiles. The Canadian brand offers serums, moisturizers, cleansers, toners, and more, built around hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, while the second brand is beloved for its thoughtful selection of moisturizers, eye products, serums, cleansers, and more, all carefully formulated with niacinamide and glycerin. The Ordinary products fit dry skin and dry sensitive skin best, and its key ingredients include hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane. Conversely, Olay products suit mature skin and acne-prone skin best, addressing varied needs with gentle efficacy through niacinamide and glycerin.

The Ordinary is a Canadian skincare brand founded in 2016 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 2021.

glossy.coen.wikipedia.org

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

Popular The Ordinary vs Olay products

People Say

The OrdinaryOlay
  • Texture and Absorption Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “sinks in quickly — Olay Super Serum”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Olay Retinol24”
    • “Skin feels like silk — Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer”
    • “skin feels baby butt smooth — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
  • Hydration and Moisture Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Instantly smoother, softer, and more hydrated — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
    • “light and smooth — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
    • “hydrates the skin — Olay Advanced Eye Cream”
    • “skin feels immediately hydrated — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • Value and Price Mostly MentionedRarely Noted
    • “lasts forever — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
    • “can't beat the price — The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution”
    • “extremely affordable — The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%”
    • “Better than high-end moisturizers — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
  • Brightening and Dark Spots Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “iridescent glow — Olay Super Serum”
    • “hides dark shadows — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
    • “skin looks brighter — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
    • “scars lightened up quite a bit — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
  • Acne and Blemish Clearing Often MentionedNot noted
    • “pimples disappear within a day — The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution”
    • “scars and hormonal acne faded — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
    • “faded dark spots — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
  • Pilling and Sticky Finish Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “cakes up all over — Olay Advanced Eye Cream”
    • “pills under makeup — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
    • “feels sticky — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
    • “crumbles and piles under moisturizer — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
  • Skin Irritation and Sensitivity Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “breakouts — Olay Super Serum”
    • “burned my skin — Olay Retinol24”
    • “burning sensation — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
    • “irritated AF the next day — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”

The Ordinary vs Olay routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

The Ordinary vs Olay routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

The Ordinary vs Olay routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or Olay: which is better?

Both brands perform well, but The Ordinary offers better value and acne-clearing serums, while Olay excels in texture, absorption, hydration, and brightening. Lovi finds that both brands fit mature skin at a Superior level.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Olay?

The Ordinary excels in value and acne-clearing serums, whereas Olay outperforms in texture, absorption, hydration, and brightening. Lovi shows that routine fits vary slightly, with The Ordinary rated Superior for dry, combination, sensitive, and dry sensitive skin, and Olay rated High for those same types.

The Ordinary or Olay for dry skin?

Both brands offer products for dry skin, with The Ordinary rated as having a Superior routine fit and Olay having a High routine fit. Topical hyaluronic acid, a key ingredient found in the products on this page, helps improve skin quality and signs of skin aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Olay: which cleanser is better?

When it comes to cleansers, both brands offer options that fit dry and sensitive skin well, but Olay stands out with its Regenerating Cream Cleanser for acne-prone skin. Lovi rates the cleansers on this page as having varying levels of fit depending on your skin type.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Olay?

The Ordinary offers better affordability, as reviewers often note its serums for being affordable and great value.

The Ordinary or Olay for dark spots?

The Ordinary is a better fit for dark spots because Lovi rates its routine as Superior compared to High for Olay, and the products on this page offer multiple specialized dark spot fading serums. Niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Which brand has better texture and absorption, The Ordinary or Olay?

Olay is the brand that does better for texture and absorption. Reviewers frequently mention Olay for improved texture, smoothness, and fast absorption.

The Ordinary or Olay for oily skin?

The Ordinary is a Superior fit for oily skin, whereas Olay is a High fit on this page. Reviewers report that The Ordinary does better for acne and blemish clearing, while Olay does better for texture, absorption, and hydration.

The Ordinary or Olay: which moisturizer is better?

When it comes to moisturizers, Olay helps provide more intense hydration and smoother textures across the products on this page, while The Ordinary offers better value and affordability. Lovi rates the routine fit for dry skin as Superior for The Ordinary and High for Olay.

The Ordinary or Olay for sensitive skin?

The Ordinary is a better fit for sensitive skin, offering a Superior routine fit compared to Olay's High fit level.

The Ordinary or Olay for acne-prone skin?

Both The Ordinary and Olay offer a High routine fit level for acne-prone skin. The Ordinary features targeted acne-clearing serums, while Olay provides strong options like the Super Eyes Daily Eye Serum with a Superior fit for acne-prone skin.

The Ordinary or Olay for mature skin?

Both The Ordinary and Olay achieve a Superior routine fit level for mature skin. The Ordinary offers affordable and great value serums, while Olay helps deliver intense hydration and improved texture and smoothness.

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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