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Olay vs SK-II

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

Olay and SK-II are skincare lines that offer nourishing moisturizers, targeted serums, and restorative treatments. Olay is warmly loved for its formulations enriched with niacinamide and glycerin, which suit sensitive skin and acne-prone skin best, while SK-II is a Japanese brand cherished for its gentle products powered by pitera, which suit dry sensitive skin and combination skin best. The two differ as the first focuses on niacinamide and glycerin to improve wrinkles, pigmentation, hydration, and barrier function, whereas the second relies on pitera to improve pore area, roughness, and redness.

SK-II is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1980 and owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991.

en.wikipedia.orgdiscoversk-ii.wixsite.comglossy.co

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

Popular Olay vs SK-II products

People Say

OlaySK-II
  • Texture and Smoothness Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin feels baby soft — Olay Retinol24”
    • “Skin feels like silk — Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer”
    • “skin feels soft as butter — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Radiance and Brightening Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “gives a glass skin look — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “leaves me with a red carpet glow — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Skin looks brighter — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “iridescent glow — Olay Super Serum”
  • Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Instantly smoother, softer, and more hydrated — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
    • “My skin feels so hydrated and plump. — Olay Regenerist Regenerating Serum”
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “skin feels deeply hydrated, plump, and smoother — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
  • Lightweight and Non-Greasy Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “absorbs instantly — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
    • “fragrance-free — Olay Eye Lifting Serum”
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Absorbs quickly — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
  • Fragrance-Free Formulations Often MentionedNot noted
    • “No irritation at all — Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer”
    • “no scent — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
    • “love that it's fragrance-free — Olay Retinol24”
  • Makeup Compatibility Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “absorbs instantly — Olay Eye Lifting Serum”
    • “acts as primer — Olay Super Serum”
    • “concealer sits better — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
    • “Removes leftover dirt — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
  • Fragrance and Scent Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Fragrance can be an irritant — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
    • “floral scent — Olay Super Serum”
    • “smells like plastic — Olay Retinol24”
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Lack of Results Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “no difference — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
    • “didn't see a difference — Olay Retinol24”
    • “No difference in lines — Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”

Olay vs SK-II routines for dry skin

Buy SK-II routine · SAR 2,157.75 · 83% fitBuy Olay routine · SAR 1,177.59 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Olay vs SK-II routines for oily skin

Buy SK-II routine · SAR 1,935.93 · 89% fitBuy Olay routine · SAR 1,429.16 · 84% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Olay vs SK-II routines for combination skin

Buy SK-II routine · SAR 2,044.94 · 90% fitBuy Olay routine · SAR 1,320.33 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

Olay or SK-II: which is better?

SK-II does better than Olay for radiance and brightening on the products on this page, while Olay does better for fragrance-free formulations and makeup compatibility. Niacinamide helps reduce skin pigmentation and melanosome transfer, and hyaluronic acid helps with antioxidant and anti-aging effects.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Drug Delivery, 2017

What is the difference between Olay and SK-II?

Olay and SK-II are both owned by The Procter and Gamble Company, but Olay offers far more products on this page and focuses on ingredients like niacinamide and peptides. Reviewers on the page find that Olay does better for fragrance-free formulations and makeup compatibility, while SK-II does better for radiance and brightening.

Olay or SK-II for dry skin?

SK-II fits dry skin better with a High routine fit level compared to Olay which has an Average routine fit level on this page. SK-II offers options like Facial Treatment Essence and Facial Treatment Mask that help deliver intense hydration for dry skin.

Olay or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

When it comes to moisturizers, Olay helps deliver intense hydration and improved texture with a wide range of fragrance-free options across the products on this page, while SK-II features popular formulas centered around Pitera. Lovi rates Olay's Regenerist Luminous Tone Perfecting Cream as a Superior fit for dry skin, and SK-II's Facial Treatment Essence as a High fit for dry skin.

Which is more affordable, Olay or SK-II?

The provided page facts do not mention the price or affordability of either Olay or SK-II.

Which brand has better fragrance-free formulations, Olay or SK-II?

Olay does better for fragrance-free formulations because almost all the products on this page list no fragrance, whereas SK-II has fewer options.

Olay or SK-II for oily skin?

Olay and SK-II are both a High fit for oily skin. Reviewers note that both brands provide a lightweight and non-greasy feel.

Olay or SK-II for sensitive skin?

Both Olay and SK-II achieve a High fit for sensitive skin among the products on this page. Reviewers report that Olay helps by providing fragrance-free options and lightweight hydration, while SK-II relies on its signature Pitera formulation.

Olay or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

Both Olay and SK-II are good options for acne-prone skin, with SK-II achieving a Superior routine fit level compared to Olay's High level on this page. Olay's products on this page help improve skin texture and hydration using ingredients like niacinamide and peptides.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2005

Olay or SK-II for dry sensitive skin?

For dry sensitive skin, SK-II has a Superior routine fit, while Olay has a High routine 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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