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Clinique vs Olay

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

Clinique and Olay are established skincare brands offering thoughtful ranges of moisturizers, serums, eye products, and cleansers for various skin types. The former relies on hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and caffeine to best suit dry sensitive skin and oily skin, while the latter utilizes niacinamide and glycerin to primarily support mature skin and dry skin. Both brands differ in their specific formulations, as the first American brand incorporates targeted solutions like the Clarifying Do-Over Peel, the for Men Oil-Free Moisturizer, and the Smart Clinical Repair Lifting Face + Neck Cream, whereas the second features distinct options such as the Super Eyes Daily Eye Serum, the Regenerist Luminous Tone Perfecting Cream, and the Brightening Eye Cream.

Clinique is an American skincare brand founded in 1968 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc..

en.wikipedia.orgelcompanies.combusinesswire.comglossy.co

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

Popular Clinique vs Olay products

People Say

CliniqueOlay
  • Lightweight and Fast Absorbing Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “sinks in quickly — Olay Super Serum”
    • “absorbs quickly — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
    • “absorbs instantly — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
    • “sinks in immediately — Clinique moisture surge”
  • Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Keeps my dry patches at bay all day — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
    • “skin feels soft and smooth — Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask”
    • “Instantly smoother, softer, and more hydrated — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
    • “light and smooth — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
  • 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 silky smooth — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
  • Gentle and Non-Irritating Formula Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “never irritated my eyes — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “No stinging eyes — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “cools the heat in my cheeks — Clinique Redness Solutions Daily Relief Cream”
    • “doesn't strip my skin — Olay Regenerating Cream Cleanser”
  • Makeup Compatibility and Base Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Melts waterproof mascara — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “foundation glides on — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “holds concealer in place — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “absorbs instantly — Olay Eye Lifting Serum”
  • 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”
    • “wake up glowing — Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask”
  • Price and Value Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “expensive for drugstore — Olay Super Serum”
    • “expensive — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
    • “jar is too small for the cost — Clinique moisture surge”
  • Insufficient Hydration Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “not moisturizing enough — Olay Super Serum”
    • “needs moisturizer over it — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
    • “too light for night — Olay Eye Lifting Serum”
    • “skin felt tight — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
  • Packaging Issues Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Unhygienic tub — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “prefer a pump dispenser — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “pump dispenses too much — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
    • “hard to dispense — Olay Super Serum”

Clinique vs Olay routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Clinique vs Olay routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Clinique vs Olay routines for combination skin

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Questions and answers

Clinique or Olay: which is better?

Olay tends to offer better results for most shoppers on this page, providing superior fit levels for dry sensitive skin, mature skin, and dark spots. Clinique is a strong alternative if you prefer 100 percent fragrance-free options and gentle, non-irritating formulas.

What is the difference between Clinique and Olay?

Olay achieves a Superior fit level for dry sensitive skin, whereas Clinique is rated High. Furthermore, Olay offers products on this page that feature niacinamide, which helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Clinique or Olay for dry skin?

Olay is a better fit for dry skin, where Lovi rates its routine as Superior compared to an Average fit for Clinique. Both brands feature hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin in the products on this page.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Clinique or Olay: which cleanser is better?

Clinique is better for gentle cleansers, as reviewers note it provides gentle and effective cleansers and Olay has lower fit levels for cleansers like Cleansing Melts on sensitive skin.

Which is more affordable, Clinique or Olay?

Olay is more affordable than Clinique, as high price point is an often-mentioned drawback for Clinique while price and value is an issue for Olay.

Between Clinique and Olay, which brand is better suited for mature skin?

Olay is better suited for mature skin, offering a Superior routine fit compared to Clinique's High fit level on this page. Olay also does better for smoothing and texture improvement.

How do the fragrance options differ between Clinique and Olay products?

Clinique features no fragrance across the products on this page. Olay also offers fragrance-free options, though one product on the page lists fragrance.

Which brand performs better for brightening and radiance, Clinique or Olay?

Olay performs better for brightening and radiance, outperforming Clinique in these review themes. Additionally, Olay features key brightening ingredients like niacinamide and vitamin C.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Clinique or Olay for oily skin?

For oily skin, both Clinique and Olay offer a High Lovi fit level, meaning either brand is a solid choice. The products on this page for oily skin may benefit from lightweight options and oil-controlling formulas.

Clinique or Olay: which moisturizer is better?

Olay offers superior routine fit for dry, sensitive, mature, and acne-prone skin compared to Clinique. Both brands feature hydrating moisturizers, but Olay stands out for its texture improvement and brightening effects across the products on this page.

Clinique or Olay for sensitive skin?

Olay has a Superior fit for sensitive skin, whereas Clinique has an Average fit. Olay helps provide intense hydration and improved texture for sensitive skin types on this page.

Clinique or Olay for acne-prone skin?

Olay is the better choice for acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates its overall routine fit as Superior compared to an Average fit for Clinique on this page. Reviewers report that the products on this page for Olay provide good texture improvement and brightening.

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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