Olay vs No 7 (The Definitive Guide)

We're positive you've seen Olay and No 7 on the shelves at your local beauty store before. But which is best? And which brand should you choose?

Come with us as we compare their best-sellers side-by-side to help you decide which is best for you and your skincare routine.

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Olay vs. No 7

Skincare aficionados know all too well that finding your anti-aging dream team can be a tall order. There’s the trial and order of trying different brands, not knowing how your skin might respond to any of their products and spending countless dollars in the process. Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be so complex and costly after all.

Not only can you find effective skincare at your local drug store, but you can find an entire routine’s worth from a single brand. Two that have reached mainstream success (for good reason) are Olay and No7. Further, Olay’s Regenerist collection and No7’s Protect & Perfect collection are perfect for turning back the clock without spending a ridiculous amount of money.

Let’s take a closer look at each collection so you can find your youthful skin squad.

Olay’s Micro-Sculpting Serum is a lightweight formula that hydrates the dermis for up to 24 hours and aims to improve skin elasticity and firmness. It’s formulated with Vitamin B3 and amino peptides to optimize surface cell renewal for drastic results in just 28 days. Regenerist Day Face Cream claims to penetrate the skin’s surface to offer intense hydration for overall skin texture improvement.

The day cream’s nighttime counterpart—Olay Regenerist Night Face Cream—is also a moisture-binding solution that helps skin cells to recover as you sleep. Given the density and potency of all three, they’re suitable for those with normal, dry, or oily skin types. And like the serum, Olay’s day and night creams are made with Vitamin B3 and Amino Peptides. Regenerist’s serum has a 4.5-star rating, their day cream has a 4.4-star rating; and the night cream seems to be highly favored with a 4.8-star rating. Overall, a seemingly effective trio.

Looking for a formula that is clinically proven to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles? No7’s Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Serum is created with antioxidants, hyaluronic acid, rice protein, and alfalfa complex to deliver visible results in two to four weeks. Their Protect & Perfect Advanced Day Cream (SPF 30) and Advanced Night Cream are similarly formulated, however, the night cream is also made with shea butter and vitamin E for an extra kick of nourishment while you snooze. The serum has earned a 4.07-star rating; the day cream has a 4.52-star rating; and the night cream has a 4.6-star rating.

Cost-wise, Olay’s serum is $19.82 for a 50ml bottle; their day cream is $24.74 for a 1.7oz jar; and their night cream is $23.99 for the same size jar. No7’s serum is $30 for a 30ml bottle; the day cream is $24.99 for a 50ml jar; and the night cream is also $24.99 for a 50ml jar.

So, it seems that Olay’s collection has slightly better ratings and it’s cheaper. But before you commit to them based on those two factors alone, we’ll dive deeper into the brand ethics for both Olay and No7.

According to Ethical Elephant, Olay does not appear to be cruelty-free or 100% vegan. Evidently, they allow their products or ingredients to be tested on animals when required by law (including when selling in stores in mainland China). Their parent company, Procter & Gamble, also does not explicitly say they are cruelty-free. However, Olay claims to support the Humane Society’s #BeCrueltyFree campaign to ban animal testing by 2023. Moreover, their humanitarian efforts are quite impressive. They’ve committed $5 million to #TakeOnRace, which supports organizations fighting systemic bias and inequality.

No7 is confirmed as cruelty-free by Cruelty-Free Kitty but not 100% vegan. Sustainability-wise, No7 doesn’t use plastic, bio-based, or biodegradable glitter in any products. Also, they claim to be working on replacing plastic jars with recyclable glass. On the philanthropic front, they donate to care and research charities and lead summits that help women in the fight for gender equality.

Though Olay might save you a few extra cents, we’re all for spending a few extra if it means supporting a more ethical and morally-sound brand like No7.