Neutrogena vs Olay 2023 (The Definitive Guide)

Today, we will be comparing two skincare brands that offer some of the *best* anti-aging products on the market - Neutrogena vs Olay. More specifically, we'll be comparing products from their best-selling Retinol 24 and Rapid Wrinkle Repair ranges, respectively.

Moisturizers

Eye Creams

Serums

This post contains affiliate links; as an Amazon Associate we earn commission from qualifying purchases.

Neutrogena

Owned by Johnson & Johnson, Neutrogena is a science-driven skincare line known for its effective yet affordable products. Founded in 1930 by Emanuel Stolaroff, the brand was previously called Natone and was later named Neutrogena.

Neutrogena's anti-aging line features four key ingredients; Retinol, hyaluronic acid, vitamin c, and SPF, and recommends a 4 step routine cleanser, treatment, moisturizer, and sunscreen.

Two of the brand's best selling anti-aging products are the Regenerating Anti-Wrinkle Retinol Cream + Hyaluronic Acid (award-winning) and the Rapid Wrinkle Repair Eye Cream (best selling), as featured in our product comparison.

Olay

Olay has been on the scene for over 65 years and boasts a team of over 500 scientists working to develop formulas for its range of skincare products. Olay is owned by the parent company Procter & Gamble (P&G), an American multinational company that owns Gillette, Native, Old Spice, SK-II, Oral B, Snowberry, Secret, Ivory, etc.

Unsurprisingly, Olay is one of P&G's biggest success stories, with sales of more than $2 billion in 2008 and over $3.3 billion in 2013. Olay is constantly competing with skincare rivals Neutrogena and Dove, and Nivea. Overall, Olay is now in more than 80 countries and is one of the world's known skincare brands.

The most popular Olay product line in the USA is the Olay Regenerist range featured in our product comparison below. Furthermore, Olay Complete Care and Olay Regenerist were the UK's top favorites.

The Benefits of Retinol

Retinol comes from two sources; animal sources called retinoids and carotenoids from plants. A range of prescription medications used to treat various skin conditions, including acne, contain retinoids (synthetic Vitamin A) such as Isotretinoin (Accutane). Vitamin A supplements are also available over the counter.

“From pigmentation and acne scarring to signs of premature aging, retinol's super-active powers have been proven to help refine, retexturise and strengthen the skin by boosting collagen production.” - Elle Magazine

Retinol is typically found in a range of acne/blemish-prone or anti-aging products in skincare. Retinol works to treat both of these conditions by increasing cell renewal and exfoliating the skin. Retinol is, in fact, an antioxidant that encourages the skin to produce collagen. As a cosmetic ingredient, Retinol (Vitamin A) will be found in the ingredient list as retinyl acetate, retinyl palmitate, or retinaldehyde.

While both Neutrogena and Olay state its Retinol products can be used daily, Retinol may irritate sensitive skin. Retinol increases the skin's sensitivity to the sun and is not recommended by all dermatologists for use in a morning skincare routine. If used during the day, Retinol should always be followed with a high SPF coverage, and you should aim to avoid sun exposure and harmful UV rays.

Building up your skin's tolerance to Retinol takes time; remember to moisturize your skin not to damage your skin barrier. Furthermore, it is not uncommon for skincare brands to claim results can be seen in just 24 hours. However, research shows that skin regeneration and improvement take time. Therefore, introducing new skincare ingredients to your routine may require 4 - 6 weeks (up to 6 months) before you notice significant results.

Neutrogena vs Olay Moisturizer

Our first matchup is the Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair vs Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 face creams.

Neutrogena vs Olay Eye Cream

Next up in our side-by-side comparisons are the Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair vs Olay Retinol 24 eye creams. Retinol can be used around the eye area to minimize the look of fine lines and crows feet, as well as brighten dark circles.

Neutrogena vs Olay Serum

And finally, we have the Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair vs Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 serums. A skin serum is not a moisturizer or cream, but a highly concentrated formula designed to sink into your skin and absorb quickly. A serum will usually be applied to the skin after cleansing but before moisturizing as an additional step in your skincare routine to treat a specific skin condition.

Neutrogena vs Olay Conclusion

Neutrogena and Olay offer a range of products using Retinol to promote healthy glowing skin. Each product reviewed in this article contains Retinol to reduce fine lines, increase skin cell turnover and reveal smooth, hydrated skin. When it comes to ingredients, price point, popularity, and research, both brands are similar.

However, if you can invest in a higher quality anti-aging skincare line, it may be worth your time and money. Here's why: Retinol has faced becoming a trending word in marketing skincare brands. Celebrities and dermatologists claim its incredible skin benefits and promote drugstore brands' effectiveness for glowing, younger skin.

Unfortunately, marketing campaigns that claim Retinol products can show results in 24 hours do not match the science. Sure, Retinol works to exfoliate the skin, meaning you can wake up with smoother feeling skin the very next day. Yet dermatologists say that brands can be misleading regarding fine lines and wrinkles, which are not a quick fix. Nevertheless, the long-term results of adding a Retinol cream to your skincare lineup are worth the investment.

As for the question at hand, we prefer Neutrogena over Olay. The prices come out to be around the same, but the formulas of the Rapid Wrinkle Repair range are more enticing—and premium, for that matter—than their Retinol 24 counterparts. Our opinion is corroborated by the disparity in popularity between the two.

Granted, popularity isn’t necessarily a guarantee of quality nor results, but when comparing two equally gigantic brands it certainly isn’t a bad indicator to go by. In testing, though, we had nothing but positives to report for either range (so if Olay has taken your fancy instead, you'll be in for just as much of a treat!).

This post was written by guest author, Cherie Julie, and edited by Calum Torrington. Last updated 22nd December 2022.