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Simple vs Olay

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

Simple and Olay are beloved skincare brands known for rich portfolios of gentle moisturizers, cleansers, serums, and more that thoughtfully incorporate niacinamide and glycerin. While Simple suits acne-prone skin and mature skin best, the British brand founded in 1960 and owned by Unilever PLC since 2011 offers a nurturing approach to daily care with targeted solutions like the Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner, Micellar Cleansing Water, and Micellar Water. Conversely, Olay suits mature skin and dry skin best, providing deep replenishment that supports delicate barriers through standout formulas like the Super Eyes Daily Eye Serum, Regenerist Luminous Tone Perfecting Cream, and Brightening Eye Cream. Ultimately, both brands differ in their specific heritage and exact product alignments, yet each relies on niacinamide to improve wrinkles, pigmentation, and skin aging, and glycerin to improve skin hydration and barrier function.

Simple is a British skincare brand founded in 1960 and owned by Unilever PLC since 2011.

en.wikipedia.orgsec.govprnewswire.comsimple.co.uk

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

Popular Simple vs Olay products

People Say

SimpleOlay
  • Gentle on sensitive skin Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Does not cause any form of irritation on the skin which I love. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “The only cleanser that doesn't turn my face red. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “no artificial perfume — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “fragrance-free — Olay Eye Lifting Serum”
  • Hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “banished dryness within days — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “Instantly boosts skin's hydration... face doesn't feel dry and tight. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “Instantly smoother, softer, and more hydrated — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
    • “light and smooth — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy feel Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
    • “absorbs very quickly — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “absorbs quickly — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
    • “absorbs instantly — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
  • Fragrance-free formula Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Love that it has absolutely no scent. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “love that it's alcohol-free — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
    • “No strong smell — Simple Refreshing Facial Wash”
    • “no scent — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
  • Improves skin texture Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin feels baby soft — Olay Retinol24”
    • “Skin feels like silk — Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer”
    • “velvety soft skin — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
  • Affordable price point and value Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “great value for money — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
    • “super affordable — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “Can't beat the price for the quality. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “Better than high-end moisturizers — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
  • Caused breakouts and skin reactions Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Gave me tiny bumps on my forehead. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “caused major breakouts — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “caused cystic acne — Olay Retinol24”
    • “Caused breakouts — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
  • Packaging and leaking issues Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Worried about the snap top bottle leaking when travelling. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “The cap broke off immediately. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “hard to get last bit out — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “hard to dispense — Olay Super Serum”
  • Residue and film left on skin Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Feels slimy on skin — Simple Refreshing Facial Wash”
    • “Still feeling a little bit of a film on my skin. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “Wake up feeling a bit greasy — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
    • “cakes up all over — Olay Advanced Eye Cream”

Simple vs Olay routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Simple vs Olay routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Simple vs Olay routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

Simple or Olay: which is better?

Simple is better for those seeking affordable, fragrance-free care that is gentle on sensitive skin, while Olay is better for improving skin texture and targeting aging. Both brands offer good hydration and lightweight feels.

What is the difference between Simple and Olay?

Simple offers more affordable, fragrance-free products on this page that are especially gentle on sensitive skin, whereas Olay provides a broader variety of targeted anti-aging ingredients like retinol and peptides to help improve skin texture. For dry skin, Olay has a Superior routine fit compared to Simple's High fit.

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

Simple or Olay for dry skin?

Olay has a Superior routine fit for dry skin, while Simple has an Average routine fit. Olay features key ingredients like hyaluronic acid that helps improve hydration in dry skin.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Simple or Olay: which cleanser is better?

Olay is better for cleansers on this page, as its Regenerating Cream Cleanser helps acne-prone and mature skin with a High fit level. Meanwhile, Simple features the Refreshing Facial Wash, which has a Low fit level for dry and dry sensitive skin.

Which is more affordable, Simple or Olay?

Simple offers better affordability and value compared to Olay. Reviewers frequently mention Simple for its affordable price point and budget-friendly moisturizers.

Between Simple and Olay, which brand is better for improving skin texture?

Olay is better for improving skin texture, as it frequently uses key ingredients like retinol and peptides that help smooth the skin. Simple is mostly known for being gentle and budget-friendly.

International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2005The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000

Which brand has more fragrance-free options, Simple or Olay?

Simple has more fragrance-free options because every product on this page for Simple lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas Olay includes a fragranced product.

How do the morning routines for dry skin compare between Simple and Olay?

For dry skin, the morning routine for Simple features the Refreshing Facial Wash cleanser, Calming Deep Moisture Toner, Replenishing Rich Moisturiser, and Safe Sunscreen SPF 50+. In comparison, the morning routine for Olay includes the Hydrating Facial Cleanser, Calming Deep Moisture Toner, Regenerist Luminous Tone Perfecting Cream, and Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream as an SPF.

Simple or Olay for oily skin?

Both Simple and Olay are a High fit for oily skin. The products on this page help provide good options for this skin type.

Simple or Olay: which moisturizer is better?

When comparing moisturizers, Olay achieves a Superior routine fit for dry skin, whereas Simple products on this page show an Average fit for dry skin. Olay incorporates key ingredients like niacinamide and retinol, which help improve skin texture and reduce signs of aging.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Simple or Olay for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, both Simple and Olay are great choices because Lovi rates the routine fit for sensitive skin as High for Simple and Superior for Olay. Reviewers note that Simple is especially gentle on sensitive skin, while Olay features key ingredients like niacinamide that help improve skin texture.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Simple or Olay for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, both brands offer products on this page with good results, but Olay has a Superior routine fit compared to Simple's High fit level. Niacinamide helps control skin aging and pigmentation in these routines.

Antioxidants, 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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