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The INKEY List vs Olay

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

The INKEY List and Olay are two distinct skincare lines offering specialized care through targeted moisturizers, serums, eye products, and cleansers. The British brand, founded in 2018 and owned by Brand Evangelists for Beauty Limited, centers its glycerin-rich portfolio on dry and sensitive skin, featuring standout solutions like its PHA Toner, Azelaic Acid Serum, and Ceramide Moisturizer. Meanwhile, the universally loved second brand utilizes nourishing niacinamide and glycerin to support mature and dry skin with formulations such as its Daily Eye Serum, Tone Perfecting Cream, and Brightening Eye Cream. While both brands harness glycerin to improve hydration and barrier function, they differ through The INKEY List focusing on specific single-ingredient solutions and Olay offering comprehensive replenishment against wrinkles and aging.

The INKEY List is a British skincare brand founded in 2018 and owned by Brand Evangelists for Beauty Limited.

cosmeticsbusiness.comprnewswire.comtheinkeylist.comtracxn.com

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

Popular The INKEY List vs Olay products

People Say

The INKEY ListOlay
  • Lightweight and Fast-Absorbing Texture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “sits beautifully under makeup — The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream”
    • “Gel consistency — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
    • “sinks in quickly — Olay Super Serum”
    • “absorbs quickly — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
  • Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Super hydrating — The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum”
    • “intense nourishment — The INKEY List Collagen Peptide Serum”
    • “Instantly smoother, softer, and more hydrated — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
    • “light and smooth — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
  • Skin 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 softer — The INKEY List PHA Toner”
  • Gentle on Skin Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Great for sensitive skin — The INKEY List PHA Toner”
    • “Safe and gentle especially for my dry, sensitive skin — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
    • “calmed my menopausal redness — The INKEY List ECTOIN HYDRO-BARRIER SERUM”
    • “tiny beads aren't harsh — Olay Regenerating Cream Cleanser”
  • Affordable Value and Pricing Mostly MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Good for the price — The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser”
    • “One of the best balms for quality and also price — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
    • “unbeatable value — The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
    • “Better than high-end moisturizers — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
  • 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”
    • “Visibly reduces acne scars — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
  • Packaging Issues Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Pump breaks easily — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
    • “Very difficult to squeeze out at first — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
    • “hard to dispense — Olay Super Serum”
    • “dropper is frustrating — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
  • Unpleasant Scent or Fragrance Issues Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Smells like BBQ/meat — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
    • “Smells like chemicals — The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum”
    • “Fragrance can be an irritant — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
    • “floral scent — Olay Super Serum”

The INKEY List vs Olay routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

The INKEY List vs Olay routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

The INKEY List vs Olay routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

The INKEY List or Olay: which is better?

Both The INKEY List and Olay are great choices, with The INKEY List offering better affordability and gentleness, while Olay excels in skin smoothing and brightening. Reviewers note that both brands provide lightweight textures and deep hydration, though Olay features products that help improve skin texture and reduce dark spots.

What is the difference between The INKEY List and Olay?

The INKEY List tends to be more affordable and is noted for being gentler on skin, whereas Olay does better for skin smoothing, texture improvement, and brightening. Both brands offer solid options for hydration, with niacinamide in Olay's products helping to reduce cutaneous pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

The INKEY List or Olay for dry skin?

Both The INKEY List and Olay offer a superior routine fit for dry skin. Reviewers often mention that the products on this page from both brands provide intense hydration and moisture.

The INKEY List or Olay: which cleanser is better?

Both The INKEY List and Olay offer a range of cleansers on this page, and the right choice depends on your specific skin needs.

Which is more affordable, The INKEY List or Olay?

The INKEY List is more affordable than Olay, as reviewer feedback on affordability and pricing favors The INKEY List.

Which brand is better for mature skin, The INKEY List or Olay?

Olay is better for mature skin, as Lovi rates its routine as Superior compared to the High fit level of The INKEY List.

Which brand is better for reducing dark spots, The INKEY List or Olay?

Olay is better for reducing dark spots because the products on this page achieve a superior fit for skin with dark spots, whereas The INKEY List achieves a high fit.

Which brand has better options for fragrance-free products, The INKEY List or Olay?

Both brands offer extensive fragrance-free options, as every single product on The INKEY List page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, while 26 of the 27 products on the Olay page also list no fragrance.

The INKEY List or Olay for oily skin?

Both The INKEY List and Olay offer a High routine fit for oily skin. The products on this page for both brands feature lightweight hydration.

The INKEY List or Olay: which moisturizer is better?

Both The INKEY List and Olay offer great moisturizers, with The INKEY List performing well for affordability and gentle care, while Olay excels in skin smoothing and brightening. Lovi gives both brands a Superior routine fit for dry skin, dry sensitive skin, and sensitive skin.

The INKEY List or Olay for sensitive skin?

Both The INKEY List and Olay are a Superior fit for sensitive skin on the products on this page.

The INKEY List or Olay for acne-prone skin?

Both The INKEY List and Olay are options for acne-prone skin, with the products on this page rated High and Superior respectively for this skin type.

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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