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Olay vs SK-II

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

Olay and SK-II are skincare collections known for moisturizers, serums, and targeted solutions. Olay features nourishing niacinamide and glycerin to suit mature skin and dry skin best, while SK-II uses signature pitera to suit dry skin and acne-prone skin best. The brands differ primarily in their core ingredients and ideal skin types, offering distinct paths to deep replenishment.

SK-II is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1980 and owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991.

en.wikipedia.orgdiscoversk-ii.wixsite.comglossy.co

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

Popular Olay vs SK-II products

People Say

OlaySK-II
  • Texture and Smoothness Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin feels baby soft — Olay Retinol24”
    • “Skin feels like silk — Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer”
    • “skin feels soft as butter — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Radiance and Brightening Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “gives a glass skin look — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “leaves me with a red carpet glow — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Skin looks brighter — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “iridescent glow — Olay Super Serum”
  • Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Instantly smoother, softer, and more hydrated — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
    • “My skin feels so hydrated and plump. — Olay Regenerist Regenerating Serum”
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “skin feels deeply hydrated, plump, and smoother — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
  • Lightweight and Non-Greasy Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “absorbs instantly — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
    • “fragrance-free — Olay Eye Lifting Serum”
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Absorbs quickly — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
  • Fragrance-Free Formulations Often MentionedNot noted
    • “No irritation at all — Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer”
    • “no scent — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
    • “love that it's fragrance-free — Olay Retinol24”
  • Makeup Compatibility Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “absorbs instantly — Olay Eye Lifting Serum”
    • “acts as primer — Olay Super Serum”
    • “concealer sits better — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
    • “Removes leftover dirt — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
  • Fragrance and Scent Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Fragrance can be an irritant — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
    • “floral scent — Olay Super Serum”
    • “smells like plastic — Olay Retinol24”
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Lack of Results Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “no difference — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
    • “didn't see a difference — Olay Retinol24”
    • “No difference in lines — Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”

Olay vs SK-II routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Olay vs SK-II routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Olay vs SK-II routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

Olay or SK-II: which is better?

Both Olay and SK-II are great choices, as Lovi shows they have equal fit levels for most skin types, though SK-II is superior for oily and combination skin. Olay helps improve texture and provides intense hydration, while SK-II does better for radiance and brightening.

What is the difference between Olay and SK-II?

Olay and SK-II are both owned by The Procter and Gamble Company, but Olay offers a much larger variety of products on this page while focusing heavily on ingredients like niacinamide and peptides. Reviewers find that SK-II does better for radiance and brightening, whereas Olay offers more fragrance-free formulations and better makeup compatibility.

Olay or SK-II for dry skin?

Both Olay and SK-II are great options for dry skin, as Lovi rates both brands as having a Superior routine fit for this skin type. The products on this page help provide intense hydration and improve skin texture.

Olay or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

Both Olay and SK-II feature excellent moisturizers on this page, with Olay offering standout options like Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream and SK-II providing the popular Facial Treatment Essence. Lovi finds that Olay provides a Superior fit for mature and dry skin, while SK-II also achieves a High fit for dry and mature skin types.

Which is more affordable, Olay or SK-II?

The products on this page do not list pricing information, so a direct comparison of affordability cannot be made between Olay and SK-II.

Olay or SK-II for oily skin?

SK-II helps oily skin with a Superior routine fit, whereas Olay has a High routine fit on this page.

Olay or SK-II for sensitive skin?

Both Olay and SK-II are great choices for sensitive skin, with Lovi rating both brands as having a Superior routine fit. Niacinamide, found in Olay products, helps soothe the skin.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Olay or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

Both Olay and SK-II are great options for acne-prone skin, as their routines achieve a Superior fit level for this skin type. Olay offers fragrance-free options across the products on this page, while SK-II features formulas powered by Pitera.

Olay or SK-II for combination skin?

For combination skin, SK-II has a Superior routine fit while Olay has a High routine fit on this page. SK-II also performs better for radiance and brightening among the products on this page.

Olay or SK-II for mature skin?

Both Olay and SK-II are a Superior fit for mature skin based on the products on this page. Olay relies on key ingredients like niacinamide and peptides to help manage signs of aging, while SK-II features its signature Pitera to support skin radiance.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Olay or SK-II for skin with dark spots?

Olay and SK-II are both a Superior fit for skin with dark spots according to the products on this page. Niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and melanosome transfer, which is a key ingredient found across Olay products.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

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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