Clinique vs Olay
Clinique and Olay are established skincare brands known for offering thoughtful ranges of moisturizers, serums, eye products, and cleansers. The former incorporates hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and caffeine to suit dry sensitive skin and oily skin best, while the latter utilizes niacinamide and glycerin to suit sensitive skin and acne-prone skin best. Ultimately, the two brands differ through their specific formulations, as the American brand owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 1968 features targeted solutions like the Clarifying Do-Over Peel, whereas both provide unique options for addressing dark spots, mature skin, and distinct complexion concerns.
Clinique is an American skincare brand founded in 1968 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc..
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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
- moisture surge
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Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm
SAR 149.48
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Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+
SAR 106.95
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All About Eyes
SAR 287.10
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Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel
SAR 99.90
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Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum
SAR 316.97
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Moisture Surge Overnight Mask
SAR 233.00
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Clarifying Lotion 2
SAR 159.61
People Say
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
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Cleanser
Regenerating Cream Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 163.62
-
Moisturizer
Regenerist Luminous Tone Perfecting Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 356.00
-
SPF
Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream
Morning
SAR 115.83
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Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
SAR 65.11
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Cleansing Toner
Oil Minimizing Clean Toner
Evening
SAR 112.00
- Serum or Treatment Vitamin C Serum Evening · Once a week
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Enzyme Powder
FANCL Facial Washing Powder
Once a week
SAR 130.30
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Nourishing Mask
Mediheal Watermide Essential Mask
Once a week
SAR 234.73
-
Cleanser
all about clean
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 256.00
-
Moisturizer
Smart Clinical Repair Lifting Face + Neck Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 380.09
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SPF
d'Alba Piedmont Waterfull Mild Sunscreen
Morning
SAR 75.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
SAR 149.48
-
Cleansing Toner
Clarifying Lotion 2
Evening
SAR 159.61
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Serum or Treatment
Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum
Evening · Once a week
SAR 316.97
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Enzyme Powder
FANCL Facial Washing Powder
Once a week
SAR 130.30
-
Nourishing Mask
Moisture Surge Overnight Mask
Once a week
SAR 233.00
Buy Olay routine · SAR 1,177.59 · 74% fit
Buy Clinique routine · SAR 1,700.45 · 66% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
Clinique vs Olay routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
Regenerating Cream Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 163.62
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
SAR 53.04
-
Moisturizer
Super Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 189.75
-
SPF
Regenerist Whip Face Moisturizer SPF 25
Morning
SAR 179.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
SAR 245.95
-
Cleansing Toner
Oil Minimizing Clean Toner
Evening
SAR 112.00
- Serum or Treatment Vitamin C Serum Evening · Once a week
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
SAR 157.51
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Cleansing Mask
Goldfaden MD Facial Detox Mask
Once a week
SAR 328.29
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Cleanser
Redness Solutions Soothing Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 204.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
SAR 53.04
-
Moisturizer
Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 99.90
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
SAR 46.95
-
Pre-Cleanser
Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
SAR 149.48
-
Cleansing Toner
Clarifying Lotion 2
Evening
SAR 159.61
- Serum or Treatment Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector Evening · Once a week
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
SAR 157.51
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Cleansing Mask
Goldfaden MD Facial Detox Mask
Once a week
SAR 328.29
Buy Olay routine · SAR 1,429.16 · 84% fit
Buy Clinique routine · SAR 1,198.78 · 79% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Clinique vs Olay routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Regenerating Cream Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 163.62
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
SAR 166.90
-
Moisturizer
Super Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 189.75
-
SPF
Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream
Morning
SAR 115.83
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
SAR 245.95
-
Cleansing Toner
Oil Minimizing Clean Toner
Evening
SAR 112.00
- Serum or Treatment Vitamin C Serum Evening · Once a week
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
SAR 157.51
-
Cleansing Mask
KORA Organics Turmeric Brightening & Exfoliating Mask
Once a week
SAR 168.77
-
Cleanser
all about clean
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 256.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
SAR 166.90
-
Moisturizer
Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 99.90
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
SAR 46.95
-
Pre-Cleanser
Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
SAR 149.48
-
Cleansing Toner
Clarifying Lotion 2
Evening
SAR 159.61
- Serum or Treatment Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector Evening · Once a week
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
SAR 157.51
-
Cleansing Mask
KORA Organics Turmeric Brightening & Exfoliating Mask
Once a week
SAR 168.77
Buy Olay routine · SAR 1,320.33 · 83% fit
Buy Clinique routine · SAR 1,205.12 · 75% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Questions and answers
Clinique or Olay: which is better?
Both brands are great choices depending on your skin goals, as Olay excels in brightening, texture, and acne-prone skin, while Clinique offers a gentler formula with no fragrance across all products on this page.
What is the difference between Clinique and Olay?
Olay offers better fit levels for acne-prone skin and skin with dark spots than Clinique, as Olay products on this page achieve a High fit while Clinique products achieve an Average fit. Olay also features more choices containing key anti-aging ingredients like niacinamide and peptides.
Clinique or Olay for dry skin?
Both Clinique and Olay offer an Average Lovi fit for dry skin with their products on this page. Hyaluronic acid helps provide moisture for dry skin in both brands.
Clinique or Olay: which cleanser is better?
Clinique is better for gentle cleansers, as reviewers note gentle and effective cleansers, whereas Olay has mixed reviews for its cleansing products on this page.
Which is more affordable, Clinique or Olay?
Olay is more affordable, as reviewers on this page frequently note Clinique's high price point while Olay is favored for price and value.
Clinique or Olay for oily skin?
Both Clinique and Olay offer a High routine fit for oily skin. Reviewers note that Olay products help improve texture and smoothness, while Clinique products help provide lightweight and fast-absorbing hydration.
Clinique or Olay: which moisturizer is better?
Both brands offer moisturizers that help deliver intense hydration and smooth texture, with Olay achieving a High routine fit for acne-prone skin and skin with dark spots compared to Clinique's Average fit. Olay features a wider selection of specialized anti-aging and brightening creams, while every Clinique product on this page lists no fragrance.
Clinique or Olay for sensitive skin?
Both Clinique and Olay offer a High fit for sensitive skin, making them equally good options. Clinique products on this page list no fragrance, whereas Olay features mostly fragrance-free options alongside a few scented choices.
Clinique or Olay for acne-prone skin?
Olay is a better fit for acne-prone skin, as the products on this page achieve a High Lovi fit level for this skin type compared to Clinique's Average fit level.
Clinique or Olay for mature skin?
Both Clinique and Olay are great options for mature skin, as Lovi rates the routine fit for both brands as High. Olay is especially noted by reviewers for improving texture and smoothness.
Clinique or Olay for skin with dark spots?
Olay is a better choice for skin with dark spots because the products on this page have a High fit level for this concern. Olay's key ingredients like niacinamide help reduce cutaneous pigmentation.
Clinique or Olay for dry sensitive skin?
Both Clinique and Olay provide a High routine fit for dry sensitive skin. Reviewers note that Clinique offers gentle and non-irritating formulas, while Olay provides intense hydration.
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
Effects of ascorbic acid on gingival melanin pigmentation in vitro and in vivo
Vitamin C-squalene bioconjugate promotes epidermal thickening and collagen production in human skin
Reduction in the appearance of facial hyperpigmentation by topical N-acetyl glucosamine
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
Algae extract protection effect on oxidized protein level in human stratum corneum
The anti wrinkle efficacy of synthetic hexapeptide (Argireline) in Chinese Subjects
Safety of a preservative system containing 1,2-hexanediol and caprylyl glycol
Dually functionalized dendrimer for stimuli-responsive release of active ingredients into the skin
Functional properties and skin care effects of sodium trehalose sulfate
Treatment with Ascorbyl Glucoside-Arginine Complex Ameliorates Solar Lentigos
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
How does it fit your skin?
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