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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 trusted skincare collections known for thoughtful formulations centered on niacinamide and glycerin. The British brand, founded in 1960 and owned by Unilever PLC since 2011, offers gentle moisturizers, makeup removers, cleansers, and toners that suit acne-prone and oily skin best. Meanwhile, the second line is warmly loved for its nourishing moisturizers, eye products, serums, cleansers, and more, which suit sensitive and acne-prone skin best. While both brands harness key ingredients to improve hydration, barrier function, and pigmentation, they differ in their specific product ranges 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

Buy Simple routine · SAR 891.11 · 83% fitBuy Olay routine · SAR 1,177.59 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Simple vs Olay routines for oily skin

Buy Simple routine · SAR 1,151.23 · 88% fitBuy Olay routine · SAR 1,429.16 · 84% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Simple vs Olay routines for combination skin

Buy Simple routine · SAR 983.37 · 87% fitBuy Olay routine · SAR 1,320.33 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

Simple or Olay: which is better?

Simple stands out for being exceptionally gentle on sensitive skin and offering budget-friendly prices, while Olay helps improve skin texture and smoothness.

What is the difference between Simple and Olay?

Simple stands out for its budget-friendly pricing and exceptionally gentle formulas that fit sensitive skin well, while Olay is often chosen for its focus on improving skin texture and smoothing out signs of aging. Both brands offer plenty of fragrance-free options across the products on this page.

Simple or Olay for dry skin?

Simple is a better choice for dry skin, as the products on this page achieve a High routine fit compared to Olay's Average fit. Reviewers note that Simple offers lightweight and value-friendly moisturizers, and every product on this page lists no fragrance.

Simple or Olay: which cleanser is better?

Reviewers note that Simple does better on being gentle for sensitive skin, while Olay products on this page frequently improve texture and smoothness. Simple is also better on affordable price points and value, making it a strong option for daily cleansing.

Which is more affordable, Simple or Olay?

Simple is more affordable, as it is noted for offering a budget-friendly price point and good value for its products.

Between Simple and Olay, which brand is more fragrance-free?

Simple is more fragrance-free because every product on the Simple page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas Olay includes fragrance in at least one product.

How do Simple and Olay compare regarding skin texture improvement?

Olay does better than Simple at improving skin texture. Reviewers often note that Olay products help improve texture and smoothness.

Which brand has better performance for dry skin routines?

Simple has better performance for dry skin routines, as Lovi rates its routine fit as High compared to Olay's Average fit.

Simple or Olay for oily skin?

Simple and Olay both offer a High Lovi fit for oily skin with the products on this page. Reviewers note that both brands provide a lightweight feel, and every product listed for Simple and almost all for Olay are fragrance-free.

Simple or Olay: which moisturizer is better?

Simple offers lightweight and value-friendly moisturizers, while Olay provides intense hydration and helps improve skin texture. Reviewers note that Simple moisturizers are gentle on sensitive skin, whereas Olay features options with retinol that help stimulate collagen accumulation in naturally aged skin.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000

Simple or Olay for sensitive skin?

Simple does better for sensitive skin as review themes show it is gentler on sensitive skin than Olay.

Simple or Olay for acne-prone skin?

Simple is particularly gentle on sensitive skin, while the products on this page for Olay improve skin texture and offer intense hydration. Both brands feature options with niacinamide, which helps control skin aging and pigmentation.

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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