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The 6 Best Olay Products for Every Skin Type and Concern
The best of the brand’s top-performing serums, lotions, and more.


Byrdie
TL;DR
Our best overall Olay pick is the Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream, which hydrates the skin and leaves it looking plump and healthy. We also love the Super Serum because it gently exfoliates with lactic acid, revealing smoother, brighter skin underneath.
Olay has a special place in our hearts among all the drugstore beauty brands. Boasting over 70 years of skincare innovation, the brand has stood the test of time—who else remembers their mom’s (or even grandma’s) coveted bottle of Oil of Olay? “Olay is a great brand because they have thoughtful formulations containing helpful, science-backed ingredients that are also moisturizing and safe for sensitive skin,” says dermatologist Dr. Hadley King, M.D. “And they conduct clinical studies to demonstrate the efficacy of their products.” Dr. King recommends the brand’s skincare products containing niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, vitamin C, and retinol to keep skin looking young and healthy.
With that in mind, we rounded up today’s best Olay products, evaluating each based on formulation, ingredients, complexion-boosting benefits, and skin type compatibility. Then, our team of editors tested them, keeping different skin types and concerns in mind. Here are our six favorites.
Top Picks
Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream at Amazon$28$19
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Olay Super Serum at Amazon$35$29
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Olay Face Serum at Amazon$24
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Olay Body Lotion at Amazon$11
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Olay Cleansing Melts + Retinol at Amazon$7
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Olay Vitamin C Lightweight Face Moisturizer at Amazon$30
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Best Overall
Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream


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Smooths texture and plumps skin
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Deeply moisturizing
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Nongreasy finish
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Has a strong almond scent
Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, peptides, hyaluronic acid, triglycerides | Skin Type: All | Size: 1.7 oz
Affectionately referred to as the “little red jar,” this iconic moisturizer has sold over 50 million units since it launched. Dr. King is a fan, noting that it “provides the ideal combination of humectants like hyaluronic acid, emollients like triglycerides, and occlusives to hydrate, support the skin barrier, and lock in moisture.”
This face cream also contains skin-smoothing peptides and niacinamide—the gold-standard ingredient Olay prides itself on—which Dr. King says boosts tone and texture. The medium-weight formula provides a plumping effect and deeply moisturizes without leaving a greasy residue behind. Some people might find the almond scent too strong, so if you’re scent-sensitive, we’d suggest checking out the fragrance-free version.


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Marissa, tester with combination skin: “The cream was the perfect consistency: creamy and light. It applied very easily and absorbed nicely. My skin feels soft but firm, and my neck wrinkles look improved.”
Best Day Serum
Olay Super Serum


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Gently exfoliates, brightens, and hydrates
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Ideal for all skin types
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Derm-recommended
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May irritate very sensitive skin at first, so start slow
Key Ingredients: Lactic acid,niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, vitamin C | Skin Type: All| Size: 1 oz
Dr. King stands behind Olay Super Serum, calling it “a great formulation full of helpful ingredients.” Beyond the usual suspects (niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and vitamin C), it contains alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) and lactic acid. “AHAs dissolve the bonds that hold dull, dead skin cells on the skin’s surface, so the skin will gently shed, revealing smoother, brighter skin underneath,” she explains. Any skin type can benefit from this multitasking serum, but if you’re new to AHAs or have very sensitive skin, consider starting slow and working your way up to daily use.

Ali Webb, associate style editor with combination skin: “If you’re looking to explore the benefits of serums or curate a minimalist routine, Olay’s Super Serum is a great place to start. It’s easy to use and balances multiple benefits without overwhelming the skin, so you can get a hydration boost and improved tone and texture all in one product.”
Best Night Serum
Olay Face Serum


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Improves hydration overnight
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Visibly corrects lines & wrinkles
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Helps even complexion
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May irritate sensitive skin
Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, niacinamide, lactic acid, glycerin, and peptides | Skin Type: All | Size: 1 oz
In addition to Super Serum, Olay created a version specifically for your evening wind-down routine. This 5-in-1 face serum features, you guessed it, five key ingredients to work overnight while you’re getting your beauty sleep: salicylic acid, niacinamide, lactic acid, glycerin, and peptides.
To use, cleanse your skin in the evening as you normally would to remove dirt, oil, and makeup. Apply the serum evenly all over your face and neck. Keep in mind that the AHAs in this product may make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so make sure you don’t skip SPF in the morning.

Eden Stuart, editor with combination/oily skin: “Olay’s Super Serum Night Repair delivers a noticeable difference in hydration and radiance overnight—literally—while working in the long term to help cultivate a more even skin tone. And it does all that at under $50—a total steal, in my opinion.”
Best for Body
Olay Body Lotion


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Fast-absorbing and lightweight formula
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Hydrates skin
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Large bottle
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Some may find the scent too strong
Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, vitamin B3 | Skin Type: All | Size: 17 oz
If you’re an avid lotion applier, may we introduce you to the Olay Niacinamide Age-Defying Body Lotion? The niacinamide and vitamin B3 complex in this lotion are key ingredients that improve skin tone and texture, leaving you with smoother, more hydrated skin each day. The formula is nongreasy and fast-absorbing, so you can apply it and go about your day without feeling sticky. Apply daily and fall in love with the results—bonus points if you apply right after showering for super soft skin and the ultimate self-care moment.

Cher Checchio, copy editor with dry/sensitive skin: “Looking for a lotion that isn’t greasy and does more than simply soften skin? This Olay lotion will check a variety of boxes. It does everything from hydrating and retaining moisture to improving skin tone and texture. It’s a great addition to a mature skincare routine.”
Best Cleanser
Olay Cleansing Melts + Retinol


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Removes makeup, dirt, and oil
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Travel-friendly
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Leaves skin soft and supple, not dry and tight
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Takes time to lather
Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, or retinol | Skin Type: Normal, oily, dry combination | Size: 12 dissolving pads per pack
Never be thwarted by TSA guidelines at security again with this clever take on facial cleanser. The Olay Cleansing Melts are water-activated pads that transform into a rejuvenating micro-bubble lather. This cleanser cleans, tones (with the use of retinol), and refreshes skin after each use. To use, simply soak the product in your hand and rub your hands together to activate it before washing your face as normal. This product is available in three different versions—vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and retinol—so you can choose the best fit for your skin. Did we mention it’s fragrance-free? (This makes it ideal for those with sensitive skin.)

Olivia Hancock, senior beauty editor with dry skin: “Whether you’re wearing makeup or your skin feels oily after a long day, these cleansers are great at getting rid of everything without drying out your skin. Because the squares are so compact and mess-free, this has become the cleanser I always travel with.”
Best With Vitamin C
Olay Vitamin C Lightweight Face Moisturizer


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Leaves skin glowing, not oily
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Fast-absorbing
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Can layer under makeup
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Citrus scent may not be for everyone
Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, niacinamide, lactic acid | Skin Type: Normal, oily, dry combination | Size: 1.7 oz
Wish you could start every morning with a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice? Well, here’s a skincare substitute: the Olay Vitamin C Moisturizer contains a fresh citrus scent to help you put your best face forward. This lightweight face cream helps even skin tone and reduce dark spots, thanks to its star ingredient, vitamin C. It also contains niacinamide to help hydrate and lactic acid to gently exfoliate. Our tester, Katie, noted that it even looks great layered underneath makeup since it absorbs quickly and creates a smooth base.


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Katie, tester with combination skin: “This moisturizer left a glow on my face after using it. I felt like my skin looked so much brighter and clearer immediately. I noticed my makeup applied better and smoother over it, without any residue or shine, even throughout the day.”
What to Look for in Olay Products
- Ingredients: According to Dr. King, “moisturizing formulas should include a combination of humectants (like hyaluronic acid and glycerin) to hydrate the skin.” She’s also a fan of vitamin C and niacinamide for antioxidant protection, improved tone and texture, and retinol for cell turnover and collagen production.
- Skin Concerns: Dryness, crepey skin, dark spots—no matter your complexion concern, there’s an Olay product that can help. Parched skin will benefit from a moisturizing cream-based formula, but if you’re looking to address hyperpigmentation, consider a formula containing vitamin C and peptides. To target fine lines and loss of elasticity, Dr. King recommends a formula containing “retinol to help stimulate collagen production.”
- Fragrance: Many Olay products are fragrance-free or come in unscented versions. If your skin is particularly sensitive or reactive to added fragrance, opting for the scentless option will likely be your best bet.
How We Tested Olay Products
We believe in using products we recommend, so we prioritize testing them in real life.
- Testing Period: Four weeks
- Methodology: Our team members tested Olay products in their own homes for at least a month (though some have been loyal to their products for years!). Each product was tested on a variety of skin types (oily, dry, normal, combination) and concerns, including acne, fine lines, wrinkles, and more.
- Factors Considered: Ingredients, product size, design, intended purpose, overall results, and value.
Meet Our Expert
For this article, Byrdie consulted the following expert:
- Dr. Hadley C. King, M.D., FAAD, is a board-certified cosmetic and medical dermatologist based in New York City. She has a background in immunology, and her research has been published in a variety of medical journals.
Why Trust Byrdie
Austen Tosone is a contributing beauty writer for Byrdie and a content creator based in NYC. She tests dozens of beauty products for a living and is always on a mission to find the best of the best to recommend. For this story, she compiled insights from Byrdie editors and used them to guide her writing.
Caitlyn Martyn
Source URL: https://www.byrdie.com/best-olay-products-4783464

