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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 brands warmly known for thoughtfully formulated products enriched with nourishing niacinamide and glycerin. The British brand specializes in gentle moisturizers, makeup removers, cleansers, and toners, while the other offers targeted moisturizers, eye products, serums, and cleansers. Both suit sensitive skin and acne-prone skin best, offering comforting routines that respect delicate barriers. They differ primarily in their heritage and specific product selections, though both harness niacinamide to improve wrinkles, pigmentation, and aging signs, alongside glycerin to significantly enhance skin hydration and barrier function.

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 · S$261.94 · 83% fitBuy Olay routine · S$248.06 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Simple vs Olay routines for oily skin

Buy Simple routine · S$459.69 · 85% fitBuy Olay routine · S$485.72 · 81% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Simple vs Olay routines for combination skin

Buy Simple routine · S$355.99 · 85% fitBuy Olay routine · S$383.33 · 80% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

Simple or Olay: which is better?

Both Simple and Olay offer great options, with Simple standing out for being completely fragrance-free and gentle on sensitive skin, while Olay is better known for improving skin texture.

What is the difference between Simple and Olay?

Simple offers budget-friendly products that are consistently fragrance-free and excel at being gentle on sensitive skin, whereas Olay provides a wider variety of anti-aging and targeted treatments that frequently help improve skin texture.

Simple or Olay for dry skin?

For dry skin, both Simple and Olay provide an equal fit, as the products on this page for both brands achieve a High routine fit level. Olay features a wider variety of specialized moisturizers and treatments containing hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which helps improve skin texture and moisture retention.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Simple or Olay: which cleanser is better?

Simple is better for sensitive skin due to being gentler, whereas Olay does better at improving skin texture. Both brands offer cleansers that may cause breakouts or skin reactions.

Which is more affordable, Simple or Olay?

Simple is more affordable, offering value-friendly moisturizers on this page. Reviewers note that Simple provides a more affordable price point and value compared to Olay.

Between Simple and Olay, which brand has a higher percentage of fragrance-free products?

Simple has a higher percentage of fragrance-free products, as every product on the products on this page for Simple lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

How do the founding years and corporate ownership of Simple and Olay compare?

Simple was founded in 1960 in the United Kingdom and has been owned by Unilever PLC since 2011, whereas Olay was founded in 1952 and has been owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1985.

Which brand performs better for improving skin texture according to review themes?

Olay performs better for improving skin texture based on the review themes on this page.

Simple or Olay for oily skin?

Both Simple and Olay offer a high routine fit for oily skin. The products on this page for both brands feature niacinamide and glycerin to help hydrate and manage oil.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Simple or Olay: which moisturizer is better?

Both Simple and Olay offer moisturizers that achieve an Average to Superior Lovi fit level depending on the specific product and skin type, with Olay doing better at improving skin texture. Reviewers note that Simple provides lightweight, value-friendly moisturizers, while Olay is often noted for intense hydration.

Simple or Olay for sensitive skin?

Simple is better for sensitive skin, as the products on this page are entirely fragrance-free and the brand is noted for being gentle on sensitive skin. Lovi rates Simple's routine fit for sensitive skin as High.

Simple or Olay for acne-prone skin?

Both Simple and Olay show an equal High routine fit for acne-prone skin on the products on this page. Reviewers note that Simple offers gentle, sensitive-skin-friendly makeup removers while Olay helps improve skin texture and smoothness.

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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