Medicube vs Olay
Medicube and Olay are two skincare brands offering thoughtful selections of moisturizers, serums, and targeted treatments formulated with ingredients like niacinamide, collagen, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin. The Korean brand founded in 2016 suits oily, acne-prone, and oily skin best by balancing excess sebum and hydration, whereas the other brand suits dry skin and acne-prone skin best through gentle, deeply nourishing formulations. Both brands feature standout solutions for dark spots, mature skin, and acne-prone concerns, yet they differ in their primary active ingredient combinations and specialized approaches.
Medicube is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2016 and owned by APR Corp..
medicubereviews.co.ukglossy.co
This page compares some of the most popular Medicube and Olay products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Medicube vs Olay products
People Say
Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “skin feels bouncier and hydrated — Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum”
- “glass skin — Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Gel Mask”
- “Instantly smoother, softer, and more hydrated — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
- “light and smooth — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
Skin Texture and Smoothness Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “skin feels baby soft — Olay Retinol24”
- “Skin feels like silk — Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer”
- “hydrates the skin — Olay Advanced Eye Cream”
- “gives my skin a smooth, glass-like finish — Medicube Zero Pore Pad”
Glow and Brightening Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “gave me instant glass skin — Medicube Collagen Jelly Cream”
- “woke up with glowing skin — Medicube Collagen Night Wrapping Mask”
- “iridescent glow — Olay Super Serum”
- “hides dark shadows — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
Gentle and Soothing Care Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “refreshing sensation — Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Gel Mask”
- “calming the skin — Medicube Red Succinic Acid Peeling Pad”
- “tiny beads aren't harsh — Olay Regenerating Cream Cleanser”
- “fragrance-free — Olay Eye Lifting Serum”
Lightweight and Fast Absorbing Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
- “sinks in quickly — Olay Super Serum”
- “absorbs quickly — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
- “absorbs instantly — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
- “dries super fast — Medicube Zero Pore Blackhead Mud Mask”
Pores and Cleansing Often MentionedNot noted
- “Pores drastically reduced — Medicube Zero Foam Cleanser”
- “Mochi-like foam — Medicube Zero Foam Cleanser”
- “Removes every trace of oil — Medicube Red Foam Cleanser”
Sticky or Heavy Residue Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “Wake up feeling a bit greasy — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
- “cakes up all over — Olay Advanced Eye Cream”
- “feels like a coating — Olay Regenerating Cream Cleanser”
- “hair sticks to my face — Medicube Collagen Jelly Cream”
Strong Scent or Fragrance Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “Fragrance can be an irritant — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
- “floral scent — Olay Super Serum”
- “smells like plastic — Olay Retinol24”
- “slightly fishy smell — Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum”
Value and Pricing Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “expensive for drugstore — Olay Super Serum”
- “expensive — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
- “small quantity (0.5 oz) — Olay Eye Lifting Serum”
- “tube is tiny for the price — Medicube Collagen Night Wrapping Mask”
Medicube vs Olay routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€21.95
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Hydrating Toner
Dear, Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner
Morning
€16.89
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Moisturizer
Regenerist Luminous Tone Perfecting Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€79.56
-
SPF
Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream
Morning
€54.97
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
€11.83
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Cleansing Toner
ROUND LAB 1025 Dokdo Cleansing Water
Evening · Once a week
€13.99
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Serum or Treatment
Super Serum Night Repair
Evening · Once a week
€192.17
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Nourishing Mask
LANEIGE Water Sleeping Mask_EX
Once a week
€33.90
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Cleanser
Zero Foam Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€13.46
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Hydrating Toner
Triple Collagen Toner
Morning
€12.45
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Moisturizer
AGE-R Booster Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€15.40
-
SPF
Purito Daily Soft Touch Sunscreen
Morning
€20.01
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Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
€11.83
-
Cleansing Toner
Zero Pore Pad
Evening · Once a week
€16.99
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Serum or Treatment
One Day Exosome Shot 2000
Evening · Once a week
€17.12
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Nourishing Mask
Deep Peptide Radiance Mask
Once a week
€5.99
Medicube vs Olay routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
Red Foam Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€16.11
-
Hydrating Toner
Triple Collagen Toner
Morning · Once a week
€12.45
-
Moisturizer
AGE-R Booster Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€15.40
-
SPF
make p:rem UV Defense Me Blue Ray Sun Cream
Morning
€33.70
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
€11.83
-
Cleansing Toner
Zero Pore Pad
Evening
€16.99
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Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€72.82
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Cleansing Mask
Zero Pore Blackhead Mud Mask
Once a week
€16.40
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Cleanser
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€21.00
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Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
€19.90
-
Moisturizer
Super Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€192.17
-
SPF
Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream
Morning
€54.97
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
€11.83
-
Cleansing Toner
Pixi Glow Tonic
Evening
€18.05
-
Serum or Treatment
Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer
Evening · Once a week
€35.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€72.82
-
Cleansing Mask
VT Cosmetics Cica Purifying Mask
Once a week
€15.72
Medicube vs Olay routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Dr. Althea Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€16.50
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
€36.00
-
Moisturizer
Super Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€192.17
-
SPF
Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream
Morning
€54.97
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
€11.83
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening · Once a week
€16.99
-
Serum or Treatment
Super Serum Night Repair
Evening · Once a week
€192.17
-
Cleansing Mask
VT Cosmetics Cica Purifying Mask
Once a week
€15.72
-
Cleanser
Red Foam Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€16.11
-
Hydrating Toner
Triple Collagen Toner
Morning · Once a week
€12.45
-
Moisturizer
AGE-R Booster Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€15.40
-
SPF
make p:rem UV Defense Me Blue Ray Sun Cream
Morning
€33.70
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
€11.83
-
Cleansing Toner
Zero Pore Pad
Evening · Once a week
€16.99
-
Cleansing Mask
Zero Pore Blackhead Mud Mask
Once a week
€16.40
Questions and answers
Medicube or Olay: which is better?
Olay has a Superior routine fit for mature skin, sensitive skin, acne-prone skin, and skin with dark spots, whereas Medicube has a High routine fit across these same skin types. Olay products help improve skin texture and provide intense hydration with a lightweight feel.
What is the difference between Medicube and Olay?
Medicube is focused on oily and acne-prone skin with core ingredients like Niacinamide and collagen, while Olay is better suited for dry, mature, and sensitive skin using ingredients like niacinamide and peptides. Reviewers find that Olay performs better for skin texture and lightweight feel, whereas Medicube excels in pores and cleansing. Both brands offer products containing hyaluronic acid that help provide hydration.
Dermatologic Therapy, 2022The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002
Medicube or Olay for dry skin?
Olay is superior for dry skin, while Medicube is high. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and hydration for dry skin.
Medicube or Olay: which cleanser is better?
Medicube offers superior pore and cleansing care compared to Olay, and its cleansers like the Zero Foam Cleanser achieve high Lovi fit levels across most skin types. Meanwhile, Olay performs better in skin texture, smoothness, and lightweight feel.
Which is more affordable, Medicube or Olay?
Olay is more affordable than Medicube, as review themes note value and pricing issues as a negative for Medicube while Olay does better in that category. The products on this page for both brands feature key ingredients like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid.
Medicube or Olay: which brand has more fragrance-free products?
Olay has more fragrance-free products on this page than Medicube. Olay lists 26 out of 27 products without fragrance, while Medicube has 23 out of 25 fragrance-free products.
Medicube or Olay for oily skin?
Both brands are a High fit for oily skin, but Olay is rated Superior for lightweight feel and texture. Medicube products on this page often feature salicylic acid and offer targeted pore care, while Olay helps provide intense hydration with a lightweight feel.
Medicube or Olay: which moisturizer is better?
When comparing moisturizers, Olay achieves a Superior Lovi fit level for dry and mature skin, while Medicube achieves High fit levels for those same skin types. Both brands feature products containing niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, which help support skin hydration and reduce signs of aging.
Medicube or Olay for sensitive skin?
Olay is Superior and Medicube is High for sensitive skin. Both brands offer fragrance-free options across most of the products on this page.
Medicube or Olay for acne-prone skin?
Olay is superior for acne-prone skin compared to Medicube, which has a high routine fit. Both brands feature niacinamide, which helps regulate skin oil and pigmentation.
Medicube or Olay for mature skin?
Olay is a Superior fit for mature skin, while Medicube has a High fit for mature skin. Topical retinol found in products like Olay's helps stimulate collagen accumulation and improve naturally aged skin.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Archives of Dermatology, 2007
Medicube or Olay for skin with dark spots?
Olay is Superior for skin with dark spots, while Medicube has a High fit for the products on this page. Niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation.
Research behind their key ingredients
Topical palmitoyl pentapeptide provides improvement in photoaged human facial skin
Molecular basis of retinol anti-ageing properties in naturally aged human skin in vivo
Apigenin inhibits UVA-induced cytotoxicity in vitro and prevents signs of skin aging in vivo
Effect of Camellia japonica oil on human type I procollagen production and skin barrier function
Reduction in the appearance of facial hyperpigmentation by topical N-acetyl glucosamine
Protective effects of Camellia japonica flower extract against urban air pollutants
Microneedling by dermapen and glycolic acid peel for the treatment of acne scars: Comparative study
A comparative study of gluconolactone versus benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of acne
The synergistic effect of retinyl propionate and hydroxypinacolone retinoate on skin aging
Neuroimmunomodulatory compound for sensitive skin care: in vitro and clinical assessment
Comedogenicity in rabbit: some cosmetic ingredients/vehicles
Supramolecular collagen nanoparticles for anti-wrinkle, skin whitening, and moisturizing effects
The anti wrinkle efficacy of synthetic hexapeptide (Argireline) in Chinese Subjects
Dually functionalized dendrimer for stimuli-responsive release of active ingredients into the skin
Functional properties and skin care effects of sodium trehalose sulfate
Composition characterization and clinical efficacy study of a salmon egg extract
Anti-Aging Efficacy of Low-Molecular-Weight Polydeoxyribonucleotide Derived from Paeonia lactiflora
Retrospective Review of Dermal Safety Studies of Organic Sunscreens
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.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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