The Original Drugstore Beauty Icon—These Are the 13 Best Olay Products of All Time (2025)

Our Top Picks

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 deep moisturization without a greasy residue. Though some people might find the almond scent too strong, there's a fragrance-free version.

Key Ingredients: Peptides, niacinamide, glycerin, shea butter | Skin Type: Dry, combination, mature | Size: 1.7 oz

If you crave a buttery moisturizer or have extremely dry, stressed-out skin, this stuff is like a hug for your complexion. Like the original Micro-Sculpting Cream, it contains a heaping dose of skin-firming peptides, plus niacinamide. Dr. King says the latter can "help with oil regulation, barrier function, aging, hyperpigmentation, acne, and eczema." Meanwhile, the inclusion of shea butter gives it an occlusive property, nourishing the skin and preventing water loss. As it is a thick cream, however, it may be too heavy for oily skin.

Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, glycerin, green tea, panthenol, PearlOptics technology | Skin Type: Combination, oily, acne-prone, mature | Size: 1.7 oz

Like a cloud in skincare form, this fluffy moisturizer is a great pick for dull, lackluster skin. In terms of ingredients, there's glycerin, green tea, panthenol (vitamin B5)—all moisturizing and nourishing ingredients— and niacinamide. "Niacinamide has been shown in several studies to help reduce some signs of aging, particularly uneven skin tone and texture," Dr. King tells Byrdie. It also contains what the brand calls "PearlOptics technology" to give you 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 and combination skin. Since it doesn't contain any oil, it's also a good choice for oily and acne-prone complexions.

Key Ingredients: Peptides, niacinamide, olive oil, green tea | Skin Type: Mature | Size: 1.7 oz

Smooth and firm your skin with this powerhouse serum. Like a concentrated version of Olay's Micro-Sculpting Cream, the innovative formula is designed to improve skin structure and minimize the appearance of lines and wrinkles. It's also immediately hydrating (hello, hyaluronic acid), so it'll plump up the skin's surface upon application. Dr. King explains that hyaluronic acid "can hold 1,000 times its weight in water," so you can bet it'll help prevent your skin from drying out. We think this is a great choice for mature skin as it plumps, smooths, firms, and fills in fine lines.

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, niacinamide, peptides | Skin Type: Oily, combination, acne-prone, mature, dry | Size: 1.7 oz

Olay face creams can be a lot for oily or combination skin to take, but not this gel-based moisturizer. The oil-free formula leans on hyaluronic acid and glycerin to hydrate the skin without clogging pores or leaving behind a greasy residue. We also love how gel feels fresh on our skin, absorbs quickly, isn't at all sticky, and plays well under makeup. What's more, the versatile, gentle formula can be used in the morning and evening. We just don't love that it contains paraffin which can be harmful if ingested.If you have oily skin or a greasy T-zone, this supremely lightweight gel moisturizer has your name on it.

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, niacinamide, squalane | Skin Type: All | Size: 1.3 oz

Any skin type can benefit from lightweight hydration as it helps to keep that all-important skin barrier functioning properly. This all-star serum serves it up in the form of hyaluronic acid and glycerin, while skin-friendly squalane calms inflammation, regulates oil production, and offers a softening effect. It has a slightly sticky texture, but this goes away when you layer your favorite moisturizer on top. Best of all, it’s gentle, nonirritating, and suitable for all skin types, even oily.

Key Ingredients: Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene, retinol, niacinamide | Skin Type: All | Size: 1.7 oz

As the name suggests, Olay's 7-in-One Moisturizer targets seven concerns, including dryness, dullness, large pores, uneven texture, fine lines, hyperpigmentation, and photoaging (sun damage). Beyond humectants, antioxidants, and retinol, it contains SPF 30 to protect your skin from the sun's damaging rays. (You should always wear SPF outside, even if it's cloudy.) Unlike most of the brand's face creams that you have to scoop out with your fingers from a lidded jar, we appreciate that this one comes in a hygienic pump container.

Key Ingredients: Retinol, retinyl propionate, niacinamide | Skin Type: Mature, combination, acne-prone | Size: 1.7 oz

A retinol in your skincare regimen is a good idea at any age as it helps keep your skin's texture in tip-top shape, but this one is especially suited to mature skin types. That’s because it contains a blend of two retinoids (retinol and retinyl propionate) to increase cellular turnover and improve healthy skin function, in turn improving the look of fine lines, wrinkles, uneven tone, and texture. The active formula is buffered with ultra-moisturizing, soothing ingredients, so it works well for anyone who finds traditional retinol products too intense or irritating. Just be sure to follow it with an SPF the next morning as retinol does make the skin more sensitive to UV radiation.

Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, peptides, lactic acid | Skin Type: All | Size: 1.3 oz

Vitamin C serums and creams are key to brightening dull-looking skin. This radiance-boosting antioxidant serum is designed to do just that as well as target and treat dark spots, uneven skin tone, and pigmentation. Unlike other vitamin C formulas on the market, it has a lovely jelly texture (not watery at all) and a pleasant citrus scent (although some think it's too strong). You can wear the protective, hydrating concoction under your moisturizer of choice, day or night—just bear in mind it contains lactic acid (a form of alpha-hydroxy acid or AHA), which may irritate sensitive skin with frequent use.

Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, peptides, lactic acid | Skin Type: All | Size: 1.3 oz

Fun fact: Studies have shown that 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-mimicking peptide that actually can. Additionally, the niacinamide and glycerin work to promote a firmer, more supple complexion. It's hydrating, too, so it's a nice pick for dry or dull skin but it is suitable for all.

Key Ingredients: Peptides, amino acids, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide | Skin Type: All | Size: 1.7 oz

This face cream flaunts a whipped, airy texture which is particularly great if you have sensitive or oily skin. We appreciate that it absorbs instantly and yields a smooth, hydrated complexion with a soft matte finish. The nongreasy formula is a perfect pre-makeup moisturizer, though it also makes a lovely night cream. It's no wonder it's become a standby moisturizer in many morning and nighttime regimens.

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 lactic acid. "AHAs dissolve the bonds that hold dull, dead skin cells on the surface of the skin, 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, consider starting slow and working your way up to daily use.

Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, peptides, light-reflecting pigments | Skin Type: All | Size: 0.4 oz

An eye cream is always good to have in your skincare arsenal since the skin around your eye is thinner and more delicate than the rest of your face. Olay's Ultimate Eye Cream will hydrate and revitalize the area without any negative effects. Enriched with peptides and niacinamide, the formula gently firms and depuffs while light-reflecting pigments (in the form of iron oxide) illuminate the area and correct for dark circles. The latter means you'll get instant illumination. We recommend this product to anyone looking for a reasonably priced eye cream that delivers instant results and benefits with continued use.

FAQ

• Are Olay products cruelty-free?

  Olay doesn't test its products on animals. However, the brand is sold in a few countries where governments still mandate animal testing, and, in certain instances, it might be required by law to submit products to labs where this happens. As such, Olay can't technically claim to be cruelty-free on its packaging.

• Do Olay products have expiration dates?

  Like most other skincare products, Olay products will expire. Check the bottom or side of the container for the open-lid jar icon with a number followed by the letter M. Known as the period-after-opening (PAO) symbol, this number tells you how many months the formula will still be safe to use and effective after opening it. According to the brand, the average shelf life of most Olay products is 12 months.