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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 known for their thoughtful selections of moisturizers, serums, eye products, and more. The former incorporates hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and caffeine to best suit dry sensitive skin and oily skin, whereas the latter relies on niacinamide and glycerin to best cater to dry skin and acne-prone skin. Both brands differ through their specific ingredient formulations and targeted solutions, such as the former offering the Clarifying Do-Over Peel for acne-prone skin and the latter featuring the Super Eyes Daily Eye Serum.

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 · 98% fit

Clinique vs Olay routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Clinique vs Olay routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 94% fit

Questions and answers

Clinique or Olay: which is better?

Olay is better overall on this page, offering superior fit levels for mature skin, sensitive skin, and acne-prone skin compared to Clinique. Reviewers note that Olay delivers better texture improvement and brightening, while Clinique is often noted for a gentler formula.

What is the difference between Clinique and Olay?

Olay achieves Superior routine fit for mature skin, whereas Clinique reaches High fit. Reviewers note that Olay provides better texture improvement and brightening, while Clinique is often preferred for a gentler, non-irritating formula.

Clinique or Olay for dry skin?

Olay achieves a Superior fit level for dry skin, whereas Clinique is rated Average. The products on this page for Olay include options like Regenerist Ultra Rich Hydrating Moisturizer that help provide intense hydration and improve skin texture.

Clinique or Olay: which cleanser is better?

Clinique is better for gentle and effective cleansing among the products on this page, as reviewers mention it offers gentle and effective cleansers while Olay has mixed feedback on some cleansers. Hyaluronic acid helps provide hydration in these products.

Drug Delivery, 2017

Which is more affordable, Clinique or Olay?

Olay is more affordable, as reviewers often mention high price points as a downside for Clinique while noting price and value as an advantage for Olay.

Which brand has better fragrance-free options, Clinique or Olay?

Clinique has better fragrance-free options on this page, as every single product lists no fragrance in its ingredients. Olay also offers many fragrance-free products, but one toner on the page contains fragrance.

Clinique or Olay for oily skin?

Both brands are a High fit for oily skin. Reviewers note that Olay delivers a lightweight feel, while Clinique offers oil-controlling and smoothing moisturizers.

Clinique or Olay: which moisturizer is better?

Olay is better for moisturizers overall, earning a Superior routine fit for dry skin compared to Clinique's Average fit. Olay's products on this page feature key ingredients like niacinamide and peptides that help improve skin texture and hydration.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Clinique or Olay for sensitive skin?

Olay is better for sensitive skin on this page, achieving a Superior Lovi fit level compared to Clinique's Average fit. The products on this page help improve texture and provide intense hydration with a generally gentle approach.

Clinique or Olay for acne-prone skin?

Olay is better suited for acne-prone skin, offering a Superior Lovi fit level compared to Clinique's Average fit. Olay's products on this page help improve texture and smoothness, while providing intense hydration for this skin type.

Clinique or Olay for mature skin?

Olay is a better fit for mature skin, achieving a Superior routine fit compared to Clinique's High level. Olay features key anti-aging ingredients like niacinamide and peptides, which help improve skin texture and firmness.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Clinique or Olay for skin with dark spots?

Olay is the better choice for skin with dark spots, achieving a Superior Lovi fit level compared to Clinique's Average fit on this page. Olay relies on key ingredients like niacinamide, which helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

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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