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CeraVe vs Olay

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes · How the Fit score works

CeraVe and Olay are popular skincare lines offering trusted moisturizers, cleansers, serums, and more. The American brand CeraVe relies on hydrating hyaluronic acid and glycerin to best suit dry and acne-prone skin, whereas the other brand pairs niacinamide and glycerin to support mature and acne-prone skin. Ultimately, the two differ in their key active ingredients and target concerns while both utilizing glycerin for barrier function.

CeraVe is an American skincare brand founded in 2005 and owned by L'Oréal since 2017.

en.wikipedia.orghappi.comloreal-finance.comcerave.com

This page compares some of the most popular CeraVe and Olay products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular CeraVe vs Olay products

People Say

CeraVeOlay
  • Lightweight and Non-Greasy Texture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Absorbs into skin without residue — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Sinks right into your skin — CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “absorbs quickly — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
    • “absorbs instantly — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
  • Deep Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Saved my dry winter skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “woke up with plump skin — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
    • “cured my dry patches — CeraVe Eye Repair Cream”
    • “My skin feels so hydrated and plump. — Olay Regenerist Regenerating Serum”
  • Fragrance-Free Formula Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “No scent, no irritation — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “Great for sensitive skin — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “No irritation at all — Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer”
    • “no scent — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
  • Gentle and Non-Stripping Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “doesn't leave face tight — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “no burning sensation — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “clean but not dry — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
  • Skin Smoothing Not 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”
  • Improves Skin Texture Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “smoother complexion — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “less greasy — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
    • “smooths fine lines — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
    • “Makeup goes on so smooth — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
  • Packaging Issues Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “no safety seal included — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
    • “tube splitting at seams — CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum”
    • “hard to dispense — Olay Super Serum”
    • “dropper is frustrating — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”

CeraVe vs Olay routines for dry skin

Buy CeraVe routine · £78.52 · 89% fitBuy Olay routine · £83.22 · 82% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

CeraVe vs Olay routines for oily skin

Buy Olay routine · £195.17 · 86% fitBuy CeraVe routine · £185.98 · 84% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

CeraVe vs Olay routines for combination skin

Buy CeraVe routine · £145.74 · 87% fitBuy Olay routine · £188.48 · 86% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

CeraVe or Olay: which is better?

Both CeraVe and Olay offer products on this page that achieve equal routine fit levels across all skin types. Reviewers find that CeraVe provides better deep hydration and gentle, non-stripping cleansing, while Olay is better at skin smoothing.

What is the difference between CeraVe and Olay?

CeraVe and Olay both offer effective products for various skin types, but CeraVe focuses on ceramides and gentle barrier repair, whereas Olay centers on peptides, niacinamide, and anti-aging hydration. The products on this page for both brands generally provide strong performance for acne-prone, dry, and mature skin.

Antioxidants, 2021

CeraVe or Olay for dry skin?

Both CeraVe and Olay offer a High routine fit for dry skin with the products on this page. CeraVe helps provide deep hydration and barrier repair with ingredients like ceramides, while Olay helps smooth skin texture using ingredients like peptides.

International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2005

CeraVe or Olay: which cleanser is better?

CeraVe provides a better range of cleansers on this page, with top options like the Hydrating Facial Cleanser and Foaming Facial Cleanser achieving a Superior fit level for dry and oily skin types.

Which is more affordable, CeraVe or Olay?

This page does not compare prices or list costs for either CeraVe or Olay.

CeraVe or Olay: which brand is completely fragrance-free across all its products?

CeraVe is completely fragrance-free across all the products on this page. Olay includes fragrance in one of its items.

CeraVe or Olay: which brand performs better for deep hydration and moisture?

CeraVe performs better for deep hydration and moisture based on the products on this page. Reviewers note that CeraVe provides deeper hydration and moisture than Olay, and its formulations often feature key barrier-repairing ingredients like ceramides.

CeraVe or Olay: which brand is better for skin smoothing?

Olay does better for skin smoothing than CeraVe based on reviewer feedback. Both brands offer products with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which helps hydrate the skin.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

CeraVe or Olay for oily skin?

Both CeraVe and Olay offer a High routine fit for oily skin, making them equally good options. Reviewers report that CeraVe provides effective cleansers for acne and oil, while Olay delivers a lightweight feel and fast absorption.

CeraVe or Olay: which moisturizer is better?

Both brands offer moisturizers with a High routine fit for dry skin, but CeraVe stands out for its deep hydration and fragrance-free options. Reviewers often mention CeraVe for its lightweight, non-greasy moisturizers that provide superior healing, while Olay is noted for its skin smoothing and intense hydration.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

CeraVe or Olay for sensitive skin?

Both CeraVe and Olay offer a High routine fit for sensitive skin based on the products on this page. CeraVe features fragrance-free formulas across all products, whereas Olay mostly omits fragrance while including it in one toner. CeraVe relies on ceramides to help repair the skin barrier, while Olay uses ingredients like niacinamide.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

CeraVe or Olay: which sunscreen is better?

Both CeraVe and Olay offer sunscreens with High or Superior Lovi fit levels for most skin types on this page. CeraVe sunscreens feature key ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid to help maintain moisture.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

CeraVe or Olay for acne-prone skin?

Both brands provide a superior fit for acne-prone skin on the products on this page. CeraVe features gentle cleansers and targeted gels that help control oil and breakouts, while Olay offers advanced moisturizers and night creams that help improve skin texture and 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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