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Of all the drugstore beauty brands in existence, Olay absolutely has a special place in our hearts. Coming up on 70 years of skincare innovation, it's stood the test of time for a reason—who else remembers their mom (even grandmother) with a bottle of Oil of Olay in their bathroom growing up?
Originally founded by South African chemist Graham Wulff (who was attempting to create a product for his wife), the original formula was marketed as an anti-aging elixir and quickly took off around the world. In the mid-'80s, it was bought out by Procter & Gamble and has been a market leader in skincare science ever since. Fun fact: P&G is actually a leader in vitamin B3 (niacinamide) research and has filed over 200 patents on the ingredient over the years. That's why it's championed in so many of their formulas (we love to see it).
Nowadays, the brand's offering is varied and innovative, with products to target every skin type and concern. Still, we get that there's a lot to choose from, so if you're hoping to road test the brand but are a little unsure where to start, you've come to the right place.
Here, we've curated our picks of the bunch. Just keep scrolling to discover the best Olay products of all time.
Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream
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Courtesy of Walmart
Affectionately referred to as the "little red jar," this iconic moisturizer has sold over 50 million units since it launched. Infused with niacinamide, amino-peptides, hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants, it promises to soften the look of fine lines and wrinkles while simultaneously balancing and refining the skin. The medium-weight cream formula is hydrating and plumping without any greasy residue. If you're looking to try Olay for the first time, this is an excellent place to start.
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Byrdie / Bianca Lambert
Olay Regenerist Ultra Rich Fragrance-Free Hydrating Moisturizer
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If you crave a buttery moisturizer or are prone to extremely dry, stressed-out skin, this stuff is like a hug for your complexion. Like the original Micro-Sculpting Cream, it contains a great deal of skin-firming peptides plus niacinamide to boost and even out skin tone, while the inclusion of shea butter gives it an occlusive property, nourishing the skin and preventing water loss.
Olay Total Effects 7-in-One Anti-Aging Moisturizer SPF 30
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Courtesy of Walmart
Seriously, who’s mom didn’t have a bottle of this cream in the bathroom growing up? The 7-in-One name comes from the formula targeting seven different skin concerns, including hydration, replenishment, boosting radiance, more even tone, smaller-looking pores, plus a visibly firmer and smoother complexion. It’s lightweight, quickly absorbed, and contains a mix of vitamins, antioxidants, and niacinamide to keep the skin healthy. Also nice: It boasts SPF 30 protection from the sun to up its anti-aging prowess.
Olay Luminous Whip Face Moisturizer
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Courtesy of Amazon
Like a cloud in skincare form, this fluffy moisturizer is a great pick for dull, lackluster skin. From an ingredients perspective, there’s niacinamide, glycerin, green tea, and panthenol—plus what’s called PearlOptics technology to give the skin a luminous, lit-from-within effect. The whipped mousse-like lotion melts quickly and dries down to a soft, natural finish, so it works well for balanced to combination skin.
Olay Regenerist Retinol24 Night Face Moisturizer
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This targeted night cream contains a retinol blend (retinol and retinyl propionate) to increase cellular turnover and improve healthy skin functions, in turn improving the look of fine lines, wrinkles, uneven tone, and texture. It’s a rich cream buffered with soothing ingredients, so it works well for anyone who finds traditional retinol serums irritating or too intense. Just be sure to pair it with an SPF every single morning.
Olay Complete Lotion Moisturizer SPF 15
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Courtesy of CVS
Simple but nourishing, this light lotion protects the skin from the aging effects of the environment thanks to a blend of antioxidants and chemical sunscreen filters. It’s quickly absorbed, non-greasy, oil-free, and layers well under makeup. The price point makes it an excellent entry-level moisturizer for balanced to dry skin types, but there are also versions for sensitive and combination/oily types, too.
Olay Regenerist Whip Face Moisturizer
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Courtesy of Walmart
If it’s dedicated sun protection you’re after, this best-seller is here to serve. Even though it has a sun protection factor of 40, the whipped consistency means it glides onto the skin like silk, leaving it soft and nourished, not sticky or greasy. There’s a stack of skincare benefits, too, thanks to the inclusion of peptides, amino acids, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide, so feel free to use this as both your moisturizer and daily sunscreen.
Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Serum
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Courtesy of Amazon
Smooth and firm your skin with this powerhouse serum. Like a concentrated version of the Micro-Sculpting Cream, the innovative formula is designed to improve skin structure and support, filling out lines and wrinkles. It’s also immediately hydrating (hello, hyaluronic acid), so it'll plump up the skin’s surface on application.
Olay Deep Hydration Vitamin B3 + Hyaluronic Acid Serum
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Courtesy of Amazon
Got flaky, tight uncomfortable skin? This hydrating serum is like a tall drink of water for a parched complexion, restoring lost water and improving signs of dehydration. The magic lies in the combination of hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, glycerin, and squalane, improving the way skin holds water. Texture-wise, it’s fresh and bouncy, so try pressing it into damp skin and topping it with your favorite moisturizer.
Olay Mist Ultimate Hydration Essence Cooling Face Mist
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Courtesy of Ulta
There are so many reasons to love a face mist: They can refresh makeup, give you a boost at 3 p.m. (when all emails start to sound the same), dampen your skin between products, and soothe irritation. Olay’s Ultimate Hydration Mist specifically contains cucumber extract and mint to drench the skin in moisture—not to mention it smells like a day spa. Use it as an essence after cleansing, or keep it in the fridge to spritz on hot days.
Olay Tone Perfection Serum With Vitamin B3 + Vitamin C
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Courtesy of Walmart
This radiance-boosting antioxidant serum is designed to target and treat dark spots, uneven skin tone, dullness, and pigmentation. Unlike other vitamin C formulas on the market, it has a lovely creamy texture (not watery), and there’s hardly any weird scent! It’s protective and hydrating, so try and incorporate it into your morning routine underneath SPF.
Olay Calming Facial Moisturizer Fragrance-Free
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Courtesy of Olay
Impressively, this lotion is fragrance-, dye-, paraben-, oil- and silicone-free, and dermatologist-tested, so it’s a safe bet for sensitive, reactive skin. Instead, there’s hydrating Hungarian water essence, soothing aloe, and refreshing cucumber to hydrate and balance the skin. Think of it as an all-around safe option for anyone seeking a simple yet effective gentle moisturizer.
Olay Eyes Ultimate Eye Cream
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Courtesy of Ulta
Hydrate and boost the delicate skin around your eyes with Ultimate Eye Cream. Enriched with vitamins, peptides, and niacinamide, the formula gently firms and depuffs while a light pigment (in the form of iron oxide) illuminates and corrects. Gently pat it on with your ring finger for best results.
Olay Regenerist Collagen Peptide 24 Face Moisturizer
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Olay Regenerist
Fun fact: The molecules in most topical collagen products are too large to penetrate the skin, but Olay's 24 Max Serum is formulated with an innovative collagen peptide that actually can. Additionally, the niacinamide- and glycerin-enriched formula works to promote a firmer, more supple complexion over time. It's hydrating, too, so it's a nice pick for dehydrated skin showing those early signs of aging.