Clinique vs Olay
Clinique and Olay are two skincare brands offering thoughtful ranges of moisturizers, serums, eye products, and more. The American brand founded in 1968 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. combines hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and caffeine, suiting dry and oily skin best, while the other brand is enriched with nourishing niacinamide and glycerin, suiting sensitive and acne-prone skin best. For targeted concerns, both feature specialized options such as the Clarifying Do-Over Peel, the for Men Oil-Free Moisturizer, and the Smart Clinical Repair Lifting Face + Neck Cream, or the Super Eyes Daily Eye Serum, the Regenerist Luminous Tone Perfecting Cream, and the Brightening Eye Cream. They differ primarily in their key ingredients and formulations, as hyaluronic acid lengthens wrinkle reduction, caffeine protects against UV radiation, and niacinamide improves pigmentation.
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
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
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$25.06
-
Hydrating Toner
COSRX Propolis Synergy Toner
Morning
S$41.07
-
Moisturizer
Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$37.33
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SPF
thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen SPF 50+
Morning
S$21.09
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Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
S$39.68
-
Serum or Treatment
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
Evening · Once a week
S$63.44
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Collagen Essential Mask
Once a week
S$62.94
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Cleanser
Regenerating Cream Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$25.81
-
Hydrating Toner
COSRX Propolis Synergy Toner
Morning
S$41.07
-
Moisturizer
Regenerist Luminous Tone Perfecting Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$38.65
-
SPF
Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream
Morning
S$39.91
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
S$39.68
- Serum or Treatment Vitamin C Serum Evening · Once a week
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Collagen Essential Mask
Once a week
S$62.94
Buy Clinique routine · S$253.28 · 95% fit
Buy Olay routine · S$248.06 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit
Clinique vs Olay routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$30.40
-
Hydrating Toner
TROIAREUKE H+Cocktail Purifying Ampoule Toner
Morning · Once a week
S$168.51
-
Moisturizer
Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$13.55
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
S$28.72
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
S$70.21
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening · Once a week
S$36.48
-
Serum or Treatment
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
Evening · Once a week
S$63.44
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
S$89.14
-
Cleanser
Regenerating Cream Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$25.81
-
Hydrating Toner
TROIAREUKE H+Cocktail Purifying Ampoule Toner
Morning · Once a week
S$168.51
-
Moisturizer
Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$44.05
-
SPF
Regenerist Whip Face Moisturizer SPF 25
Morning
S$38.60
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Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
S$70.21
-
Cleansing Toner
Oil Minimizing Clean Toner
Evening · Once a week
S$49.40
- Serum or Treatment Vitamin C Serum Evening · Once a week
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
S$89.14
Buy Clinique routine · S$486.90 · 94% fit
Buy Olay routine · S$485.72 · 81% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
Clinique vs Olay routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$30.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Whamisa Organic Flowers Toner Deep Rich
Morning · Once a week
S$64.81
-
Moisturizer
Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$13.55
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
S$28.72
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
S$70.21
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening · Once a week
S$36.48
-
Serum or Treatment
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
Evening · Once a week
S$63.44
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
S$89.14
-
Cleanser
Regenerating Cream Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$25.81
-
Hydrating Toner
Whamisa Organic Flowers Toner Deep Rich
Morning · Once a week
S$64.81
-
Moisturizer
Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$44.05
-
SPF
Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream
Morning
S$39.91
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
S$70.21
-
Cleansing Toner
Oil Minimizing Clean Toner
Evening · Once a week
S$49.40
- Serum or Treatment Vitamin C Serum Evening · Once a week
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
S$89.14
Buy Clinique routine · S$382.80 · 94% fit
Buy Olay routine · S$383.33 · 80% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Questions and answers
Clinique or Olay: which is better?
Both brands offer solid options, but Lovi rates Clinique as having superior routine fit across all skin types on these pages. Olay frequently brings stronger reviews for brightening and texture improvement, whereas Clinique is noted for gentle formulas.
What is the difference between Clinique and Olay?
Clinique and Olay both offer fragrance-free options across the products on this page, but Clinique leans toward gentle and non-irritating formulas while Olay excels at brightening and radiance. Reviewers often mention Olay for improved texture and smoothness, whereas Clinique is better known for its gentle cleansers and makeup compatibility.
Clinique or Olay for dry skin?
Both Clinique and Olay offer products that help with dry skin, as seen in the products on this page. Lovi rates the routine fit for dry skin as Superior for Clinique and High for Olay.
Clinique or Olay: which cleanser is better?
Both Clinique and Olay offer effective cleansers, with Clinique leaning towards gentle and non-irritating formulas across the products on this page. Reviewers note that Olay cleansers help improve texture and smoothness, while Clinique cleansers are recognized for being gentle and effective.
Which is more affordable, Clinique or Olay?
Olay is more affordable, as a high price point is often noted as a drawback for the products on this page by Clinique reviewers.
Which brand has more fragrance-free product options, Clinique or Olay?
Clinique provides more fragrance-free product options since every single product on its page lists no fragrance, whereas Olay includes fragrance in one of its products.
How do Clinique and Olay compare in terms of brightening and radiance results according to reviewers?
According to reviewers, Olay does better than Clinique in terms of brightening and radiance results. Olay's products frequently help improve skin texture and tone with ingredients like niacinamide and vitamin C.
Which brand has better packaging and fewer design flaws, Clinique or Olay?
Clinique has better packaging and fewer design flaws compared to Olay. Reviewers note that Olay frequently has packaging concerns and design flaws, while Clinique's packaging issues are mentioned less often.
Clinique or Olay for oily skin?
Clinique is a better fit for oily skin, offering a superior routine compared to Olay's high fit. Reviewers note that the products on this page help provide oil-controlling and smoothing benefits.
Clinique or Olay: which moisturizer is better?
Both Clinique and Olay offer hydrating moisturizers on this page, and Lovi rates both brands as having a Superior routine fit for dry skin. Clinique provides fragrance-free moisturizers known for oil-controlling and smoothing benefits, while Olay products on this page often feature key ingredients like niacinamide and peptides to improve skin texture.
Clinique or Olay for sensitive skin?
Clinique is a better fit for sensitive skin, offering a Superior routine compared to Olay's High fit on this page. Reviewers note that Clinique provides a gentle and non-irritating formula, and every product on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients.
Clinique or Olay for acne-prone skin?
Both Clinique and Olay offer good options for acne-prone skin, with the products on this page earning a High fit from Lovi for that skin type. Reviewers note that Olay tends to provide better smoothing and texture improvement.
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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