Estée Lauder vs Olay
Estée Lauder and Olay are two popular skincare choices offering comprehensive moisturizers, serums, eye products, cleansers, and more. Estée Lauder is known for formulas featuring hydrating hyaluronic acid and glycerin that suit acne-prone skin and mature skin best. Meanwhile, the brand features nourishing niacinamide and glycerin, making its products ideal for sensitive skin and acne-prone skin. The primary difference lies in their specific ingredient strengths and ideal skin types, as both brands deliver targeted solutions for diverse complexions.
Estée Lauder is an American skincare brand founded in 1946 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc..
en.wikipedia.orgelcompanies.com
This page compares some of the most popular Estée Lauder and Olay products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Estée Lauder vs Olay products
People Say
Texture smoothing and improvement 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”
- “skin feels like a baby's bottom — Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair”
Deep hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
- “skin drinks it up immediately — Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair”
- “The formula is incredibly hydrating and leaves my skin feeling smooth. — Estée Lauder Re-Nutriv”
- “texture is dreamy — Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Gel-Creme”
- “light and smooth — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
Lightweight and fast-absorbing feel Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
- “sinks in quickly — Olay Super Serum”
- “absorbs quickly — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
- “absorbs instantly — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
- “Absorbs quickly into the skin — Estée Lauder Revitalizing Supreme+”
Radiant glow and brightening Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “iridescent glow — Olay Super Serum”
- “hides dark shadows — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
- “skin looks brighter — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
- “gives me that glass skin look — Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair”
Gentle and non-drying cleansing Often MentionedRarely Noted
- “doesn't strip the skin — Estée Lauder Advanced Night Cleansing Gelée”
- “Lathers well — Estée Lauder Soft Clean Moisture Rich Foaming Cleanser”
- “removes all my makeup effortlessly — Estée Lauder Advanced Night Cleansing Gelée”
- “tiny beads aren't harsh — Olay Regenerating Cream Cleanser”
Makeup compatibility and base Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “doesn't pill — Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Gel-Creme”
- “layers flawlessly under foundation — Estée Lauder DayWear Moisturizer”
- “absorbs instantly — Olay Eye Lifting Serum”
- “acts as primer — Olay Super Serum”
High price and value concerns Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
- “expensive for drugstore — Olay Super Serum”
- “expensive — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
- “small quantity (0.5 oz) — Olay Eye Lifting Serum”
- “way too expensive for the size — Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair”
Bulky or poor packaging Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “lid is hard to open — Estée Lauder Advanced Night Cleansing Gelée”
- “Please make a jar or refill that is not as big and heavy. — Estée Lauder Re-Nutriv”
- “Impossible to get out — Estée Lauder Soft Clean Moisture Rich Foaming Cleanser”
- “hard to dispense — Olay Super Serum”
Scent and fragrance complaints Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “Fragrance can be an irritant — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
- “floral scent — Olay Super Serum”
- “smells like plastic — Olay Retinol24”
- “Scent is too overpowering — Estée Lauder Revitalizing Supreme+”
Estée Lauder vs Olay routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
Advanced Night Cleansing Gelée
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 232.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Micro Essence Treatment Lotion
Morning
SAR 244.35
-
Moisturizer
Revitalizing Supreme+
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 770.00
- SPF DayWear Moisturizer Morning
-
Pre-Cleanser
Take It Away Makeup Remover Lotion
Evening · Once a week
SAR 439.00
-
Cleansing Toner
ROUND LAB 1025 Dokdo Cleansing Water
Evening
SAR 72.64
- Serum or Treatment Perfectionist Pro Evening · Once a week
-
Enzyme Powder
FANCL Facial Washing Powder
Once a week
SAR 130.30
-
Nourishing Mask
Nutritious Melting Soft Creme/Mask
Once a week
SAR 297.00
-
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
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
SAR 65.11
-
Cleansing Toner
Oil Minimizing Clean Toner
Evening
SAR 112.00
- Serum or Treatment Vitamin C Serum Evening · Once a week
-
Enzyme Powder
FANCL Facial Washing Powder
Once a week
SAR 130.30
-
Nourishing Mask
Mediheal Watermide Essential Mask
Once a week
SAR 234.73
Buy Estée Lauder routine · SAR 2,185.29 · 77% fit
Buy Olay routine · SAR 1,177.59 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
Estée Lauder 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
-
Cleansing Mask
Goldfaden MD Facial Detox Mask
Once a week
SAR 328.29
-
Cleanser
Advanced Night Cleansing Gelée
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 232.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Micro Essence Treatment Lotion
Morning · Once a week
SAR 244.35
-
Moisturizer
Revitalizing Supreme+
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 770.00
- SPF DayWear Moisturizer Morning
-
Pre-Cleanser
Take It Away Makeup Remover Lotion
Evening · Once a week
SAR 439.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Toner
Evening
SAR 187.00
- Serum or Treatment Perfectionist Pro Evening · Once a week
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
SAR 157.51
-
Cleansing Mask
Goldfaden MD Facial Detox Mask
Once a week
SAR 328.29
Buy Olay routine · SAR 1,429.16 · 84% fit
Buy Estée Lauder routine · SAR 2,358.15 · 75% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Estée Lauder 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
Advanced Night Cleansing Gelée
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 232.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Micro Essence Treatment Lotion
Morning · Once a week
SAR 244.35
-
Moisturizer
Revitalizing Supreme+
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 770.00
- SPF DayWear Moisturizer Morning
-
Pre-Cleanser
Take It Away Makeup Remover Lotion
Evening · Once a week
SAR 439.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
SAR 64.80
-
Serum or Treatment
Advanced Night Repair
Evening · Once a week
SAR 259.20
-
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 Estée Lauder routine · SAR 2,335.63 · 77% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Questions and answers
Estée Lauder or Olay: which is better?
Both Estée Lauder and Olay offer effective products, with Estée Lauder performing better for deep hydration and Olay excelling in texture smoothing and brightening. For dry skin, the products on this page provide a High fit with Estée Lauder and an Average fit with Olay.
What is the difference between Estée Lauder and Olay?
Estée Lauder provides deeper hydration and gentler cleansing among the products on this page, whereas Olay excels in texture smoothing and brightening. Reviewers note that Estée Lauder tends to have higher prices, while Olay is more often associated with fragrance complaints.
Estée Lauder or Olay for dry skin?
For dry skin, Estée Lauder achieves a High routine fit on the products on this page compared to Olay's Average fit. Reviewers note that Estée Lauder provides deep hydration, and key ingredients like hyaluronic acid help support skin hydration and moisture.
Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Dermatologic Therapy, 2022
Estée Lauder or Olay: which cleanser is better?
Estée Lauder is better for cleansing, as the products on this page provide gentle and non-drying cleansers. Reviewers say that Estée Lauder excels in gentle and non-drying cleansing compared to Olay.
Which is more affordable, Estée Lauder or Olay?
Olay is more affordable than Estée Lauder, as the products on this page have high price and value concerns noted for Estée Lauder while Olay faces fewer pricing complaints.
Estée Lauder or Olay: which brand has more fragrance-free options?
Olay has more fragrance-free options on this page, with 26 out of 27 products listing no fragrance, compared to 12 out of 14 products for Estée Lauder.
Estée Lauder or Olay for oily skin?
Both Estée Lauder and Olay offer a High routine fit for oily skin among the products on this page. Estée Lauder features key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, while Olay utilizes ingredients such as niacinamide and peptides.
Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Antioxidants, 2021
Estée Lauder or Olay: which moisturizer is better?
When comparing moisturizers on this page, Estée Lauder is better for deep hydration, while Olay is better for texture smoothing and brightening. Both brands offer products with ingredients like hyaluronic acid that helps improve skin quality.
Dermatologic Therapy, 2022International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2005
Estée Lauder or Olay for sensitive skin?
Both Estée Lauder and Olay offer a High routine fit for sensitive skin among the products on this page. Reviewers note that Estée Lauder provides gentle and non-drying cleansers, while Olay offers fragrance-free options.
Estée Lauder or Olay: which sunscreen is better?
For sunscreens on this page, Estée Lauder features the DayWear Moisturizer, which achieves a Superior fit level for dry sensitive skin, dry skin, sensitive skin, and mature skin. Olay offers options like the Complete All Day Moisturizer SPF 15 and Regenerist Whip Face Moisturizer SPF 25, which may provide varied protection depending on your specific skin type.
Estée Lauder or Olay for acne-prone skin?
Both Estée Lauder and Olay offer products on this page that are a High fit for acne-prone skin. Reviewers note that Estée Lauder provides gentle and non-drying cleansers, while Olay is recognized for texture smoothing and improvement.
Estée Lauder or Olay for mature skin?
Both Estée Lauder and Olay offer products on this page that are a High fit for mature skin. Estée Lauder features deep hydration and gentle cleansers, while Olay is noted for texture smoothing and a radiant glow.
Estée Lauder or Olay for skin with dark spots?
Olay is better suited for skin with dark spots, as the products on this page achieve a High Lovi fit compared to Estée Lauder's Average fit. Olay features key ingredients like niacinamide and vitamin C that help reduce pigmentation and brighten the skin.
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
Chrysin protects epidermal keratinocytes from UVA- and UVB-induced damage
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
Another Reason for Using Caffeine in Dermocosmetics: Sunscreen Adjuvant
Neuroimmunomodulatory compound for sensitive skin care: in vitro and clinical assessment
Comedogenicity in rabbit: some cosmetic ingredients/vehicles
Nanostructured Lipid Carrier for Topical Application of N-Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin recovery by Lavandula angustifolia leaf callus extract: Redox control of Nrf2 signaling
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
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
-

Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-

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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