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Neutrogena vs Olay

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

Neutrogena and Olay are American skincare mainstays that offer thoughtful arrays of moisturizers, sunscreens, cleansers, serums, and more. Neutrogena relies on trusted ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and dimethicone, while the other brand pairs niacinamide and glycerin. Both brands suit mature and acne-prone skin best, though they differ through their distinct formulations and targeted solutions.

Neutrogena is an American skincare brand founded in 1930 and owned by Kimberly-Clark Corporation since 2026.

investor.kimberly-clark.comen.wikipedia.orginvestors.kenvue.com

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

Popular Neutrogena vs Olay products

People Say

NeutrogenaOlay
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Skin looked plumper and radiant — Neutrogena HYDRO BOOST WATER CREAM”
    • “It also hydrates my skin. This cream has been so easy to add to my routine. — Neutrogena Retinol Regenerating Cream”
    • “Instantly smoother, softer, and more hydrated — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
    • “light and smooth — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
  • Lightweight and Fast-Absorbing Texture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “sinks in quickly — Olay Super Serum”
    • “absorbs quickly — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
    • “Absorbs so quickly! — Olay Regenerist Regenerating Serum”
    • “Absorbs instantly without sticky residue — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
  • Fragrance-Free and Gentle Formulas Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “leaves skin soft and balanced — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
    • “love that it has no scent — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
    • “doesn't strip my skin — Olay Regenerating Cream Cleanser”
    • “No irritation at all — Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer”
  • Anti-Aging and Skin Texture 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 is looking smoother — Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream”
  • Radiance, Brightening, and Tone Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “iridescent glow — Olay Super Serum”
    • “hides dark shadows — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
    • “skin looks brighter — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
    • “Gave me a glass-skin glow — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Hydrogel Mask”
  • Makeup Compatibility and Base Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Foundation glides right over it — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
    • “Concealer doesn't cake or get stuck in crevices — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Eye Gel-Cream”
    • “absorbs instantly — Olay Eye Lifting Serum”
    • “acts as primer — Olay Super Serum”
  • Packaging and Value Concerns Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Jar is too small for the price — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
    • “Runs out quickly — Neutrogena HYDRO BOOST WATER CREAM”
    • “hard to dispense — Olay Super Serum”
    • “expensive — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
  • Ineffective or Slow Results Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Eye holes are too small — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Hydrogel Mask”
    • “Not moisturizing enough for winter months — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
    • “no visible difference — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
    • “no difference — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
  • Texture Flaws and Pilling Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “leaves greasy film — Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover”
    • “leaves a purple/blue tint — Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen”
    • “Wake up feeling a bit greasy — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
    • “cakes up all over — Olay Advanced Eye Cream”

Neutrogena vs Olay routines for dry skin

Buy Neutrogena routine · £135.42 · 87% fitBuy Olay routine · £83.22 · 82% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Neutrogena vs Olay routines for oily skin

Buy Olay routine · £195.17 · 86% fitBuy Neutrogena routine · £154.72 · 77% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Neutrogena vs Olay routines for combination skin

Buy Olay routine · £188.48 · 86% fitBuy Neutrogena routine · £177.52 · 80% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Neutrogena or Olay: which is better?

Olay is better on this page for anti-aging and skin texture, while both brands perform equally well for hydration. The products on this page help improve skin quality and signs of aging with ingredients like retinol and hyaluronic acid.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

What is the difference between Neutrogena and Olay?

Neutrogena is owned by Kimberly-Clark Corporation, while Olay is owned by The Procter & Gamble Company. Reviewers find that Olay does better for anti-aging and skin texture, and radiance, brightening, and tone. Both brands offer fragrance-free options and deep hydration across the products on this page.

Neutrogena or Olay for dry skin?

Both Neutrogena and Olay are great options for dry skin, offering an equal routine fit level of High on this page. Olay helps provide intense hydration, while Neutrogena is known for deeply hydrating moisturizers.

Neutrogena or Olay: which cleanser is better?

Both Neutrogena and Olay offer cleansers with strong performance on this page, but Neutrogena stands out with multiple options achieving a Superior fit level for mature, acne-prone, sensitive, and combination skin. Olay cleansers also provide High fits for acne-prone, oily, and mature skin types.

Which is more affordable, Neutrogena or Olay?

The products on this page do not provide pricing information, so affordability cannot be compared between Neutrogena and Olay.

Between Neutrogena and Olay, which brand performs better for dry sensitive skin?

Olay performs better for dry sensitive skin, offering a High routine fit compared to Neutrogena's Average fit.

How do the fragrance options compare between Neutrogena and Olay skincare lines?

Neutrogena has slightly more fragrance options on this page, with 4 out of 39 products listing fragrance compared to only 1 out of 27 products for Olay. Reviewers sometimes note strong fragrance and scent issues for both brands.

Which brand performs better for anti-aging and skin texture improvement according to reviewers?

Olay performs better for anti-aging and skin texture improvement according to reviewers. The products on this page help improve texture and smoothness, and retinol may stimulate collagen accumulation in naturally aged human skin.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Archives of Dermatology, 2007

Neutrogena or Olay for oily skin?

Both Neutrogena and Olay provide a High fit for oily skin. The products on this page for both brands include lightweight options, with Olay standing out for its texture.

Neutrogena or Olay: which moisturizer is better?

Both brands offer moisturizers that fit dry skin at a high level. Reviewers report that Olay moisturizers provide intense hydration and a lightweight texture, while Neutrogena moisturizers are noted for being deeply hydrating and fast-absorbing.

Neutrogena or Olay for sensitive skin?

Neutrogena and Olay both achieve a High routine fit level for sensitive skin on this page. Reviewers report that fragrance-free and gentle formulas are equal between the two brands.

Neutrogena or Olay: which sunscreen is better?

Neutrogena offers multiple sunscreens on this page, such as Clear Face Liquid Lotion Sunscreen, achieving a Superior Lovi fit for combination skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, and oily acne-prone skin. Olay features fewer options on this page, with Regenerist Whip Face Moisturizer SPF 25 reaching a High fit and Complete All Day Moisturizer SPF 15 reaching an Average fit for those skin types.

Neutrogena or Olay for acne-prone skin?

Olay is a better fit for acne-prone skin, as the products on this page achieve a Superior routine fit compared to Neutrogena's High fit level.

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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