Estée Lauder vs Olay
Estée Lauder and Olay are established skincare lines offering moisturizers, serums, eye products, cleansers, and more. The former relies on hyaluronic acid and glycerin to suit mature and oily acne-prone skin, whereas the latter uses niacinamide and glycerin to support sensitive and acne-prone skin. While both incorporate glycerin to increase hydration and barrier function, they differ in their primary ingredients and ideal skin types, with the first brand providing targeted solutions for aging concerns and excess sebum, and the second brand focusing on nourishing formulations for sensitivity.
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
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$25.06
-
Hydrating Toner
COSRX Propolis Synergy Toner
Morning
S$41.07
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Moisturizer
Revitalizing Supreme+
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$158.73
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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
Advanced Night Repair
Evening · Once a week
S$13.55
-
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 Estée Lauder routine · S$189.84 · 85% fit
Buy Olay routine · S$248.06 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit
Estée Lauder vs Olay routines for oily skin
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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
-
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
-
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
Revitalizing Supreme+
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$158.73
-
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
Advanced Night Repair
Evening · Once a week
S$13.55
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
S$89.14
Buy Olay routine · S$485.72 · 81% fit
Buy Estée Lauder routine · S$423.46 · 79% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
Estée Lauder 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
Revitalizing Supreme+
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$158.73
-
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
Advanced Night Repair
Evening · Once a week
S$13.55
-
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 Estée Lauder routine · S$319.36 · 82% fit
Buy Olay routine · S$383.33 · 80% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Questions and answers
Estée Lauder or Olay: which is better?
Both brands perform well on this page, but they shine in different areas. Estée Lauder excels at deep hydration and gentle cleansing, whereas Olay stands out for texture smoothing and brightening.
What is the difference between Estée Lauder and Olay?
Both brands offer equal routine fit levels across all skin types on this page, but they differ in reviewer feedback and formulation highlights. Estée Lauder delivers deep hydration and gentle cleansers with key ingredients like hyaluronic acid, whereas Olay excels in texture smoothing and brightening with niacinamide and peptides.
Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002
Estée Lauder or Olay for dry skin?
Both brands offer an equal High routine fit for dry skin among the products on this page. Estée Lauder tends to provide deeper hydration, while Olay is often noted for intense hydration alongside texture smoothing. Hyaluronic acid helps bind moisture in dry skin.
Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Dermatologic Therapy, 2022
Estée Lauder or Olay: which cleanser is better?
Estée Lauder offers better cleansers on this page, as they are noted for gentle and non-drying cleansing. Reviewers find that Estée Lauder excels in this area compared to Olay.
Which is more affordable, Estée Lauder or Olay?
Olay is more affordable, as reviewers frequently note high price point issues for Estée Lauder and value concerns specifically for Olay.
Estée Lauder or Olay: which brand has more fragrance-free options?
Olay offers more fragrance-free options, as 26 of the 27 products on this page list no fragrance compared to 12 of 14 for Estée Lauder.
Estée Lauder or Olay: which offers better texture smoothing and improvement?
Olay offers better texture smoothing and improvement among the products on this page. Reviewers often note that Olay provides improved texture and smoothness compared to Estee Lauder.
Estée Lauder or Olay: which brand features key ingredients like Niacinamide and Peptide?
Olay features key ingredients like Niacinamide and Peptide across the products on this page. These ingredients help support anti-aging and brightening effects in the skin.
Estée Lauder or Olay for oily skin?
Both Estée Lauder and Olay offer a high routine fit for oily skin. The products on this page help provide good options for this skin type, with Olay providing more fragrance-free choices.
Estée Lauder or Olay: which moisturizer is better?
Both Estée Lauder and Olay offer effective moisturizers depending on your primary skin goals, as Estée Lauder excels in deep hydration while Olay is noted for texture smoothing and brightening. Both brands achieve a High routine fit across skin types on this page.
Estée Lauder or Olay for sensitive skin?
Both Estée Lauder and Olay offer high routine fit levels for sensitive skin on this page. Estée Lauder features gentle and non-drying cleansers, while Olay provides fragrance-free options.
Estée Lauder or Olay: which sunscreen is better?
Both Estee Lauder and Olay offer sunscreens on the products on this page, with Estee Lauder featuring the DayWear Moisturizer and Olay featuring products like the Complete All Day Moisturizer SPF 15 and Regenerist Whip Face Moisturizer SPF 25. Reviewers note that Estee Lauder provides deep hydration, while Olay is often praised for a lightweight feel and fast absorption.
Estée Lauder or Olay for acne-prone skin?
Both Estée Lauder and Olay offer products on this page that show a High routine fit for acne-prone skin. The products on this page help deliver effective care while maintaining gentle formulas.
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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