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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 collections celebrated for their thoughtful formulations and distinct approaches. The former offers soothing moisturizers, serums, and cleansers enriched with niacinamide and glycerin that suit sensitive and acne-prone skin best, while the Japanese brand provides luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, and signature pitera formulations that suit dry and dry sensitive skin best. Both lines target concerns like dark spots, aging, and uneven texture, yet they differ through Olay relying on barrier-supporting ingredients and SK-II centering on a balancing yeast-derived essence.

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 · S$606.78 · 93% fitBuy Olay routine · S$248.06 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Olay vs SK-II routines for oily skin

Buy SK-II routine · S$820.58 · 88% fitBuy Olay routine · S$485.72 · 81% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Olay vs SK-II routines for combination skin

Buy SK-II routine · S$716.48 · 89% fitBuy Olay routine · S$383.33 · 80% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

Olay or SK-II: which is better?

Olay is better for fragrance-free options and makeup compatibility among the products on this page, while SK-II does better for radiance and brightening. Reviewers mention that the products on this page help improve texture, provide intense hydration, and feel lightweight.

What is the difference between Olay and SK-II?

Olay stands out for fragrance-free options and makeup compatibility among the products on this page, while SK-II achieves better radiance and brightening results. Niacinamide helps reduce pigmentation and skin aging, and hyaluronic acid improves skin hydration.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Olay or SK-II for dry skin?

SK-II has a Superior routine fit for dry skin, while Olay has a High routine fit for dry skin. The products on this page help provide intense hydration and improve skin texture and smoothness.

Olay or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

Olay and SK-II both feature top-performing moisturizers on this page, with Olay providing standout choices like the Regenerist Luminous Tone Perfecting Cream and SK-II offering the popular Facial Treatment Essence. Reviewers note that Olay excels in fragrance-free options and makeup compatibility, while SK-II delivers better radiance and brightening results.

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.

Between Olay and SK-II, which brand performs better for radiance and brightening?

SK-II does better than Olay for radiance and brightening based on the review themes on this page.

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

Olay does better for fragrance-free formulations among the products on this page, as virtually all of its items are fragrance-free while offering various options. Niacinamide helps reduce pigmentation and skin aging facts that support its gentle formulas.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

How do the founding years and corporate ownership compare between Olay and SK-II?

Olay was founded in 1952, whereas SK-II was founded in 1980 in Japan. Both brands have been owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since the 1980s and 1990s respectively.

Olay or SK-II for oily skin?

Both Olay and SK-II are good options for oily skin, as the products on this page achieve an equal fit level of High. Reviewers note that both brands deliver a lightweight and non-greasy feel.

Olay or SK-II for sensitive skin?

Both Olay and SK-II are a High fit for sensitive skin, so you can choose either depending on your other preferences. Olay stands out for having mostly fragrance-free options across the products on this page.

Olay or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

Both Olay and SK-II are a High fit for acne-prone skin on the products on this page. Reviewers report that Olay helps improve texture and provides intense hydration.

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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