Estee Lauder vs Olay (The Definitive Guide)

Famed for their luxurious skincare products packed with efficacious actives, both Estee Lauder and Olay are more than worthy of occupying some shelf space in your bathroom.

Come with us as we compare the Olay Retinol24 Night Serum vs Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair side-by-side to help you decide which is best for you and your skincare routine. Enjoy!

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Estee Lauder vs Olay

Beyond the obvious differences between the bottles, we're going to have to dive straight into their formulas to start seeing any differences of note.

First things first, the ingredients in Olay's serum include Vitamin B3 (reduces uneven skin tone and the appearance of wrinkles), a Retinoid complex (speeds up skin cell renewal), and amino peptides (for firmer, younger-looking skin).

Estee Lauder's serum *also* include peptides with the inclusion of Tripeptide-32, which is Estee Lauder’s exclusive ingredient. It helps to support the skin with protection during the day and renewal at night. The serum also contains hyaluronic acid which helps to hydrate the skin.

A notable omission from Estee Lauder's ingredients list compared to Olay's, though, is retinol. This means that Olay's serum is quite a bit more potent, though it also means that there are some implications when it comes to skin type suitability (which we will discuss in further detail later).

Price-wise, Olay is definitely the more affordable of the two, with their Retinol24 serum costing $30 per 40ml. Estee Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair on the other hand is more than double the price at $110 per 50ml. Price is an important factor when you’re choosing serums for your skincare routine, especially since you'll need to repurchase them to see the full long-term results.

Speaking of results, the many raving reviews for both products speak for themselves. Most reviews comment on how smooth the Olay serum makes their skin and notice an overall improvement in the appearance of their skin. The Estee Lauder serum received similar praise, such as reviewers commenting on how their skin looked noticeably younger. It’s safe to say that both products are very effective, and more than deliver on their claims.

Returning to the topic of skin type, the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair serum is suitable for *all* skin types. It’s also oil-free and non-acnegenic which is great news for oily and acne-prone skin. The Olay Retinol24 Night Serum is also designed for all skin types, however, the inclusion of retinol diminishes its suitability for those with sensitive skin due to its propensity for irritation. If you've used retinol before and you know that your skin is fairly resilient, then the Olay serum will likely yield greater benefits. Otherwise, the Estee Lauder serum is your best bet for avoiding potential irritation.

Neither Olay nor Estee Lauder is 100% cruelty-free. Although Olay doesn’t test its products on animals, it does test in a few countries where the products are sold, as governments still mandate animal tests. They openly state that they aren’t 100% cruelty-free on their website, but they do invest in cruelty-free research, with P&G, its parent company having donated $410 million to develop cruelty-free alternatives.

Estee Lauder, on the other hand, was one of the first cosmetics companies to eliminate animal testing. However, they also aren’t perfect as Estee Lauder owns many other brands which are also sold in countries where animal testing is required by law. Neither brand is vegan either, but both are tested by dermatologists and are non-comedogenic.

If you’re looking to dip your toes into the wonderful anti-aging realm of retinol, then the Olay Retinol24 Night Serum is a fantastic choice. But, if you’re seeking age-defying benefits through more gentle, luxurious means, the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum is a clear winner.