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Medik8 vs Olay

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

Medik8 and Olay are two established skincare brands offering serums, moisturizers, eye products, cleansers, and more. Medik8, a British line founded in 2009 and owned by L'Oréal Groupe since 2025, builds its offerings around hyaluronic acid, which lengthens toxin wrinkle effect duration, while the other brand relies on nourishing niacinamide and glycerin to improve wrinkles, pigmentation, skin aging, hydration, and barrier function. The British line fits dry skin and sensitive skin best, with top-rated options including the Surface Radiance Cleanse for acne-prone skin, the Oxy-R Peptides for dark spots, and the Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream for mature skin. Conversely, the universally loved second brand suits mature skin and dry skin best through deep replenishment supporting delicate barriers, featuring standout solutions such as the Super Eyes Daily Eye Serum for acne-prone skin, the Regenerist Luminous Tone Perfecting Cream for dark spots, and the Brightening Eye Cream for mature skin.

Medik8 is a British skincare brand founded in 2009 and owned by L'Oréal Groupe since 2025.

loreal.commedik8.comtracxn.com

This page compares some of the most popular Medik8 and Olay products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Medik8 vs Olay products

People Say

Medik8Olay
  • 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”
    • “absorbed effortlessly — Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream”
  • Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedMostly 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”
    • “Restores moisture — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
  • Gentle Formulation Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “zero irritation or peeling — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “only Vitamin C my sensitive skin can tolerate — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “Best retinol replacement — Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides”
    • “doesn't strip my skin — Olay Regenerating Cream Cleanser”
  • Brightening and Glow Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “I wake up glowing. It adds back that youthful bloom that I've lost. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
    • “unlocked a serious glow — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “iridescent glow — Olay Super Serum”
    • “hides dark shadows — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
  • Skin Improvement and Clarity Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “smoother skin — Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “skin feels firmer — Medik8 Oxy-R Peptides”
    • “tiny beads aren't harsh — Olay Regenerating Cream Cleanser”
  • Pleasant Experience and Scent Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “smells like a spa — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “smell is gorgeous — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “smells amazing — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
    • “light fresh scent — Olay Regenerating Cream Cleanser”
  • Price and Value Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “expensive for drugstore — Olay Super Serum”
    • “expensive — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
    • “Expensive per bottle — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
  • Packaging Issues Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Glass bottle breaks easily — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “hard to get last bit — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “click mechanism tricky — Medik8 Oxy-R Peptides”
    • “hard to dispense — Olay Super Serum”
  • Slow or Ineffective Results Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Not as effective as retinol — Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides”
    • “no difference — Medik8 Oxy-R Peptides”
    • “no difference — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
    • “minimal firming effect — Olay Eye Lifting Serum”

Medik8 vs Olay routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Medik8 vs Olay routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Medik8 vs Olay routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

Medik8 or Olay: which is better?

Both brands offer strong options, but Medik8 helps provide a gentler formulation, while Olay tends to excel in hydration and texture. For combination skin, the products on this page show that Medik8 achieves a Superior fit level.

What is the difference between Medik8 and Olay?

Medik8 stands out for its gentle formulations and targeted serums, whereas Olay excels in intensive hydration and value. For combination skin, the products on this page show Medik8 achieves a Superior fit while Olay reaches a High level.

Medik8 or Olay for dry skin?

Both Medik8 and Olay are great choices for dry skin, as the products on this page provide a Superior routine fit for this skin type. Hyaluronic acid helps boost moisture retention and skin hydration across both brands.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Medik8 or Olay: which cleanser is better?

Medik8 offers superior cleansing options on this page for acne-prone skin and skin with dark spots, whereas Olay provides a broader variety of everyday cleansers like the Regenerating Cream Cleanser. Reviewers note that Medik8 delivers a more gentle formulation, while Olay tends to excel in texture and absorption.

Which is more affordable, Medik8 or Olay?

Olay is more affordable than Medik8, as high prices are often mentioned as a drawback for Medik8 products on this page while Olay is noted as better for price and value.

Which brand has better packaging according to reviews, Medik8 or Olay?

Reviews on this page show that Olay has fewer packaging concerns, while Medik8 has more reported packaging issues.

Medik8 or Olay: which has more fragrance-free options?

Medik8 offers more fragrance-free options, as 11 of the 12 products on this page list no fragrance compared to 26 of 27 for Olay.

Medik8 or Olay for oily skin?

Both Medik8 and Olay provide a High fit for oily skin. Reviewers often mention that Olay performs better for texture and absorption, while Medik8 is known for more gentle formulations.

Medik8 or Olay: which moisturizer is better?

Both Medik8 and Olay offer great moisturizers, with Olay standing out for intense hydration and texture while Medik8 is often praised for its gentle formulations. Hyaluronic acid helps both brands deliver deep moisture and plumpness to the skin.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Medik8 or Olay for sensitive skin?

Both Medik8 and Olay achieve a Superior Lovi fit level for sensitive skin on the products on this page. Medik8 features gentle and non-irritating serums while Olay offers intense hydration, giving shoppers two strong options depending on their texture preference.

Medik8 or Olay for acne-prone skin?

Olay is well suited for acne-prone skin, offering a Superior routine fit compared to Medik8's High fit level. Both brands provide products on this page featuring ingredients like niacinamide, which helps improve skin clarity, and hyaluronic acid, which helps hydrate without clogging pores.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Drug Delivery, 2017

Medik8 or Olay for mature skin?

Olay has a Superior fit level for mature skin for many products on this page, whereas Medik8 products generally offer a High fit for this skin type. Reviewers note that Olay delivers intense hydration and helps improve texture, while Medik8 offers gentle formulations.

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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