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Medik8 vs Olay

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

Medik8 and Olay are two distinct skincare lines known for differing product assortments and targeted formulations. The British brand features serums, moisturizers, eye products, toners, and more, built around hyaluronic acid, suiting dry skin and dry sensitive skin best, while the second option is beloved for its thoughtful array of moisturizers, eye products, serums, cleansers, and more, carefully formulated with niacinamide and glycerin to suit dry skin and acne-prone skin best. Medik8 relies on hyaluronic acid to lengthen toxin wrinkle effect duration, whereas Olay utilizes niacinamide to improve wrinkles, pigmentation, and skin aging, and glycerin to improve skin hydration and barrier function. Ultimately, both offer specialized items for specific concerns, yet they differ in their primary ingredients and ideal skin types.

Medik8 is a British skincare brand founded in 2009 and owned by L'Oréal Groupe since 2025.

loreal.commedik8.comtracxn.com

This page compares some of the most popular Medik8 and Olay products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Medik8 vs Olay products

People Say

Medik8Olay
  • Texture and Absorption Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “sinks in quickly — Olay Super Serum”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Olay Retinol24”
    • “Skin feels like silk — Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer”
    • “absorbed effortlessly — Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream”
  • Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Instantly smoother, softer, and more hydrated — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
    • “light and smooth — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
    • “hydrates the skin — Olay Advanced Eye Cream”
    • “Restores moisture — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
  • Gentle Formulation Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “zero irritation or peeling — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “only Vitamin C my sensitive skin can tolerate — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “Best retinol replacement — Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides”
    • “doesn't strip my skin — Olay Regenerating Cream Cleanser”
  • Brightening and Glow Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “I wake up glowing. It adds back that youthful bloom that I've lost. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
    • “unlocked a serious glow — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “iridescent glow — Olay Super Serum”
    • “hides dark shadows — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
  • Skin Improvement and Clarity Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “smoother skin — Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “skin feels firmer — Medik8 Oxy-R Peptides”
    • “tiny beads aren't harsh — Olay Regenerating Cream Cleanser”
  • Pleasant Experience and Scent Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “smells like a spa — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “smell is gorgeous — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “smells amazing — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
    • “light fresh scent — Olay Regenerating Cream Cleanser”
  • Price and Value Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “expensive for drugstore — Olay Super Serum”
    • “expensive — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
    • “Expensive per bottle — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
  • Packaging Issues Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Glass bottle breaks easily — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “hard to get last bit — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “click mechanism tricky — Medik8 Oxy-R Peptides”
    • “hard to dispense — Olay Super Serum”
  • Slow or Ineffective Results Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Not as effective as retinol — Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides”
    • “no difference — Medik8 Oxy-R Peptides”
    • “no difference — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
    • “minimal firming effect — Olay Eye Lifting Serum”

Medik8 vs Olay routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Medik8 vs Olay routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Medik8 vs Olay routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 94% fit

Questions and answers

Medik8 or Olay: which is better?

Both brands are great choices depending on your budget and skin goals, with Medik8 offering a gentler formulation and Olay providing better value and strong anti-aging results. The products on this page help improve skin texture and hydration, and topical hyaluronic acid helps boost skin moisture and combat signs of aging.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

What is the difference between Medik8 and Olay?

Medik8 and Olay both offer solid hydration, but Medik8 tends to be gentler on sensitive skin while Olay often performs better for mature skin and dark spots. Olay also tends to be better on price and value, though the products on this page for both brands feature key ingredients like hyaluronic acid that help smooth the skin.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Medik8 or Olay for dry skin?

Both Medik8 and Olay provide Superior routine fit levels for dry skin among the products on this page. Topical hyaluronic acid, featured across the products on this page, helps provide deep hydration and improve signs of skin aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Drug Delivery, 2017

Medik8 or Olay: which cleanser is better?

Medik8 is better for cleansing, as the products on this page achieve a superior fit for acne-prone skin, oily acne-prone skin, and skin with dark spots, whereas Olay cleansers mostly score average or lower for those skin types.

Which is more affordable, Medik8 or Olay?

Olay is more affordable, as reviewers often mention Medik8 has a high price point while Olay scores better for price and value.

Between Medik8 and Olay, which brand is better suited for mature skin?

Olay is better suited for mature skin, achieving a superior routine fit level compared to Medik8's high fit level on this page. Olay's mature skin range features ingredients like retinol, which helps stimulate collagen accumulation in naturally aged human skin.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000

How do the fragrance options differ between Medik8 and Olay products?

Medik8 features fragrance options where almost all products on the page list no fragrance, except for the Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream. Similarly, Olay offers choices where nearly all products on this page are fragrance-free, with the exception of the Oil Minimizing Clean Toner.

Which brand has better performance for skin texture and absorption, Medik8 or Olay?

Olay performs better for skin texture and absorption among the products on this page. Reviewers note that Olay's formulas provide improved texture and smoothness along with a lightweight feel.

Medik8 or Olay for oily skin?

Both Medik8 and Olay fit oily skin well, with Lovi giving both brands a High fit level for this skin type. Reviewers note that Olay tends to offer better texture and absorption, while Medik8 provides a more gentle formulation.

Medik8 or Olay: which moisturizer is better?

Both Medik8 and Olay provide good moisturizers, with Medik8 having a Superior fit level for dry skin and Olay having a Superior fit level for mature skin and skin with dark spots. The products on this page help improve skin quality and hydration.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Medik8 or Olay for sensitive skin?

Medik8 and Olay both offer a Superior routine fit for sensitive skin, but Medik8 stands out for its gentleness while Olay excels in texture and hydration.

Medik8 or Olay for acne-prone skin?

Olay is a better fit for acne-prone skin, reaching a Superior routine fit level compared to Medik8's High. The products on this page help improve skin clarity and provide intense hydration without heavy irritation.

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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