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Simple vs Olay

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

Simple and Olay are two respected skincare lines known for thoughtful formulations centered on niacinamide and glycerin. The British brand founded in 1960 offers gentle moisturizers, makeup removers, cleansers, and toners that suit acne-prone skin and skin with dark spots best. Meanwhile, the second brand provides a nourishing array of moisturizers, eye products, serums, and cleansers that cater particularly well to dry skin and acne-prone skin. While both incorporate identical key ingredients to improve hydration, barrier function, and pigmentation, they differ in their specific product selections and targeted skin types.

Simple is a British skincare brand founded in 1960 and owned by Unilever PLC since 2011.

en.wikipedia.orgsec.govprnewswire.comsimple.co.uk

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

Popular Simple vs Olay products

People Say

SimpleOlay
  • Gentle on sensitive skin Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Does not cause any form of irritation on the skin which I love. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “The only cleanser that doesn't turn my face red. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “no artificial perfume — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “fragrance-free — Olay Eye Lifting Serum”
  • Hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “banished dryness within days — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “Instantly boosts skin's hydration... face doesn't feel dry and tight. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “Instantly smoother, softer, and more hydrated — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
    • “light and smooth — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy feel Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
    • “absorbs very quickly — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “absorbs quickly — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
    • “absorbs instantly — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
  • Fragrance-free formula Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Love that it has absolutely no scent. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “love that it's alcohol-free — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
    • “No strong smell — Simple Refreshing Facial Wash”
    • “no scent — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
  • Improves skin texture Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin feels baby soft — Olay Retinol24”
    • “Skin feels like silk — Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer”
    • “velvety soft skin — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
  • Affordable price point and value Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “great value for money — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
    • “super affordable — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “Can't beat the price for the quality. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “Better than high-end moisturizers — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
  • Caused breakouts and skin reactions Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Gave me tiny bumps on my forehead. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “caused major breakouts — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “caused cystic acne — Olay Retinol24”
    • “Caused breakouts — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
  • Packaging and leaking issues Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Worried about the snap top bottle leaking when travelling. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “The cap broke off immediately. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “hard to get last bit out — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “hard to dispense — Olay Super Serum”
  • Residue and film left on skin Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Feels slimy on skin — Simple Refreshing Facial Wash”
    • “Still feeling a little bit of a film on my skin. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “Wake up feeling a bit greasy — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
    • “cakes up all over — Olay Advanced Eye Cream”

Simple vs Olay routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Simple vs Olay routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Simple vs Olay routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 94% fit

Questions and answers

Simple or Olay: which is better?

Simple tends to be better for sensitive skin due to being completely fragrance-free across the products on this page and more gentle overall, while Olay performs better for mature skin and intense hydration. Both brands feature key ingredients like niacinamide and glycerin to help improve skin quality.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

What is the difference between Simple and Olay?

Simple offers budget-friendly, gentle skincare focused on basic hydration with a high fit for sensitive skin, while Olay provides a larger range featuring active ingredients like peptides and retinol that help improve skin texture and signs of aging with a superior fit for mature skin.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2005

Simple or Olay for dry skin?

Olay achieves a Superior fit for dry skin on this page, while Simple reaches an Average fit for most of its moisturizers in this category. Olay offers intense hydration with key ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which helps improve skin quality.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Drug Delivery, 2017

Simple or Olay: which cleanser is better?

Olay is better for cleansers on this page, as its Regenerating Cream Cleanser achieves a High fit level for acne-prone, oily, and mature skin. Simple cleansers like the Refreshing Facial Wash have an Average or Low fit across these same skin types.

Which is more affordable, Simple or Olay?

Simple tends to be more affordable, as reviewers on this page frequently note its budget-friendly price point and value. Olay is generally known for different benefits, such as improving skin texture and providing intense hydration.

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

Simple has better fragrance-free options because every product on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas Olay includes fragrance in at least one product.

Simple or Olay for oily skin?

Both Simple and Olay offer a High routine fit for oily skin. Reviewers note that products on this page for both brands provide a lightweight feel.

Simple or Olay: which moisturizer is better?

Olay offers moisturizers with a Superior Lovi fit level for dry skin, whereas Simple moisturizers on this page have an Average fit level. Olay products help deliver intense hydration and improve skin texture using key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and peptides.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2005

Simple or Olay for sensitive skin?

Simple and Olay both work well for sensitive skin, with Olay achieving a Superior routine fit and Simple achieving High. Reviewers note that Simple offers gentle, sensitive-skin-friendly makeup removers and tends to be gentler on sensitive skin overall.

Simple or Olay for acne-prone skin?

Olay has a Superior fit for acne-prone skin, while Simple has a High fit. Reviewers note that both brands may occasionally cause breakouts or irritations.

Simple or Olay for mature skin?

Olay has a Superior fit for mature skin, while Simple has an Average fit across its products on this page. Olay products help improve skin texture and smooth fine lines with active ingredients like retinol and peptides.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2005

Simple or Olay for skin with dark spots?

Olay achieves a Superior fit level for skin with dark spots, whereas Simple reaches an Average fit level across its products on this page. Niacinamide helps reduce skin pigmentation, which supports brightening effects.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

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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