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Neutrogena vs Olay

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

Neutrogena and Olay are American skincare options celebrated for addressing diverse needs with care. The former features reliable moisturizers, sunscreens, cleansers, and toners formulated with glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and dimethicone, while the latter is beloved for its thoughtful array of moisturizers, eye products, serums, and cleansers using niacinamide and glycerin. Neutrogena suits oily acne-prone skin and acne-prone skin best, whereas Olay suits dry skin and acne-prone skin best. Both brands differ in their standout active components and specific targeted formulations, such as the Daily Facial Moisturizer and the Super Eyes Daily Eye Serum.

Neutrogena is an American skincare brand founded in 1930 and owned by Kimberly-Clark Corporation since 2026.

investor.kimberly-clark.comen.wikipedia.orginvestors.kenvue.com

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

Popular Neutrogena vs Olay products

People Say

NeutrogenaOlay
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Skin looked plumper and radiant — Neutrogena HYDRO BOOST WATER CREAM”
    • “It also hydrates my skin. This cream has been so easy to add to my routine. — Neutrogena Retinol Regenerating Cream”
    • “Instantly smoother, softer, and more hydrated — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
    • “light and smooth — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
  • Lightweight and Fast-Absorbing Texture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “sinks in quickly — Olay Super Serum”
    • “absorbs quickly — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
    • “Absorbs so quickly! — Olay Regenerist Regenerating Serum”
    • “Absorbs instantly without sticky residue — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
  • Fragrance-Free and Gentle Formulas Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “leaves skin soft and balanced — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
    • “love that it has no scent — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
    • “doesn't strip my skin — Olay Regenerating Cream Cleanser”
    • “No irritation at all — Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer”
  • Anti-Aging and Skin Texture 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 is looking smoother — Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream”
  • Radiance, Brightening, and Tone Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “iridescent glow — Olay Super Serum”
    • “hides dark shadows — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
    • “skin looks brighter — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
    • “Gave me a glass-skin glow — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Hydrogel Mask”
  • Makeup Compatibility and Base Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Foundation glides right over it — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
    • “Concealer doesn't cake or get stuck in crevices — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Eye Gel-Cream”
    • “absorbs instantly — Olay Eye Lifting Serum”
    • “acts as primer — Olay Super Serum”
  • Packaging and Value Concerns Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Jar is too small for the price — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
    • “Runs out quickly — Neutrogena HYDRO BOOST WATER CREAM”
    • “hard to dispense — Olay Super Serum”
    • “expensive — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
  • Ineffective or Slow Results Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Eye holes are too small — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Hydrogel Mask”
    • “Not moisturizing enough for winter months — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
    • “no visible difference — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
    • “no difference — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
  • Texture Flaws and Pilling Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “leaves greasy film — Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover”
    • “leaves a purple/blue tint — Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen”
    • “Wake up feeling a bit greasy — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
    • “cakes up all over — Olay Advanced Eye Cream”

Neutrogena vs Olay routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Neutrogena vs Olay routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Neutrogena vs Olay routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 94% fit

Questions and answers

Neutrogena or Olay: which is better?

Olay is better for anti-aging and skin texture, while both brands offer equal hydration and gentle formulas. For the products on this page, Olay provides a Superior routine fit for dry, sensitive, acne-prone, and mature skin types.

What is the difference between Neutrogena and Olay?

Olay achieves Superior routine fit for dry sensitive skin, whereas Neutrogena reaches Average fit. Olay formulas often feature niacinamide and peptides, while Neutrogena frequently uses retinol and salicylic acid.

Neutrogena or Olay for dry skin?

Olay is the better choice for dry skin, as the routine fit on Lovi is Superior compared to Neutrogena's High fit level. The products on this page for Olay often feature hydrating ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid that help maintain moisture.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Neutrogena or Olay: which cleanser is better?

Neutrogena has a cleanser, Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser, with a Superior Lovi fit level for mature skin, acne-prone skin, sensitive skin, and combination skin. Olay features cleansers like Regenerating Cream Cleanser, which has a High Lovi fit level for acne-prone skin, oily acne-prone skin, combination skin, oily skin, and mature skin.

Which is more affordable, Neutrogena or Olay?

The provided Lovi page does not compare the prices or affordability of Neutrogena and Olay.

How do the anti-aging benefits of Neutrogena and Olay compare according to reviewers?

According to reviewers, Olay does better than Neutrogena for anti-aging and skin texture. Reviewers often mention improved texture, smoothness, and intense hydration for Olay products.

What key fragrance differences exist between the product lines of Neutrogena and Olay?

Neutrogena has fragrance in 4 of the 39 products on this page, while Olay includes fragrance in only 1 of its 27 products. Both brands mostly offer fragrance-free options across their lineups.

Which brand performs better for dry sensitive skin and mature skin routines?

Olay performs better for dry sensitive skin and mature skin routines, offering a Superior fit for mature skin compared to Neutrogena's Average fit, and a High fit for dry sensitive skin compared to Neutrogena's Average fit.

Neutrogena or Olay for oily skin?

Both Neutrogena and Olay are a High fit for oily skin. Reviewers note that Olay products on this page offer a lightweight feel, while Neutrogena features a variety of oil-free cleansers and treatments tailored for oil control.

Neutrogena or Olay: which moisturizer is better?

Olay fits dry skin with a Superior routine level, whereas Neutrogena has an Average routine level for dry skin. Additionally, Olay helps improve skin texture and smoothness while providing intense hydration.

Neutrogena or Olay for sensitive skin?

Olay achieves a Superior Lovi fit level for sensitive skin, while Neutrogena achieves a High fit level. Reviewers for both brands note fragrance-free and gentle formulas as well as occasional strong fragrance and scent issues.

Neutrogena or Olay: which sunscreen is better?

Neutrogena has superior sunscreen options for combination, sensitive, and oily acne-prone skin on this page, while Olay offers options that achieve a High fit level for mature and dry sensitive skin.

Neutrogena or Olay for acne-prone skin?

Olay has a Superior routine fit for acne-prone skin on this page, while Neutrogena has a High fit.

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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