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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 popular skincare lines offering targeted moisturizers, serums, and eye products for diverse complexions. The former thoughtfully pairs niacinamide and glycerin to suit acne-prone and mature skin, while the latter anchors its luxurious formulations in signature pitera to nurture dry and acne-prone skin. These offerings differ primarily in their core ingredients and heritage, with the American brand focusing on accessible daily care and the Japanese label providing restorative, premium treatments.

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 · £225.40 · 91% fitBuy Olay routine · £83.22 · 82% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Olay vs SK-II routines for oily skin

Buy SK-II routine · £339.53 · 88% fitBuy Olay routine · £195.17 · 86% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Olay vs SK-II routines for combination skin

Buy SK-II routine · £308.34 · 87% fitBuy Olay routine · £188.48 · 86% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Olay or SK-II: which is better?

Both Olay and SK-II are great options depending on your specific skin needs. Lovi rates SK-II as Superior for dry skin routines, while Olay is rated Superior for acne-prone skin routines. Additionally, Olay offers more fragrance-free options and better makeup compatibility.

What is the difference between Olay and SK-II?

Olay and SK-II are both owned by The Procter and Gamble Company, but Olay offers far more products on this page across a wide budget range, while SK-II focuses on Pitera-based formulas. Olay is noted for fragrance-free options and makeup compatibility, whereas SK-II does better for radiance and brightening. Reviewers also mention fewer issues with lack of results for SK-II.

Olay or SK-II for dry skin?

For dry skin, SK-II is a Superior fit while Olay is High. Niacinamide helps improve skin barrier function and hydration.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Olay or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

Olay is a great choice for moisturizers, offering many options with high fit levels for various skin types and concerns like aging and dark spots. SK-II also performs very well, particularly with its popular Facial Treatment Essence, which provides high hydration and radiance benefits.

Which is more affordable, Olay or SK-II?

The products on this page do not provide pricing information, so a comparison of affordability cannot be made.

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

SK-II does better for radiance and brightening compared to Olay based on the review themes on this page. Niacinamide helps reduce pigmentation and suppress melanosome transfer, contributing to brighter-looking skin.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

How do Olay and SK-II differ in their fragrance-free formulations and scent reviews?

Olay achieves a higher fit level for fragrance-free formulations on the products on this page, whereas SK-II lists no fragrance across all of its products. Reviewers note that Olay offers fragrance-free options alongside potential strong fragrance and scent issues, while SK-II does not report scent reviews.

Which brand has better routine fit for dry sensitive skin: Olay or SK-II?

Olay and SK-II offer equal routine fit for dry sensitive skin, with both brands providing High fit levels across their products on this page.

Olay or SK-II for oily skin?

For oily skin, both Olay and SK-II are good options, as Lovi rates their routines as High fit. Reviewers note that both brands deliver lightweight and non-greasy textures.

Olay or SK-II for sensitive skin?

Olay and SK-II both offer a High Lovi fit for sensitive skin, making either brand a solid choice. Olay stands out for having a wider selection of fragrance-free products on this page, while SK-II features entirely fragrance-free formulations.

Olay or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

Olay is the better choice for acne-prone skin because the products on this page achieve a superior routine fit compared to SK-II.

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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