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OLAY Super Serum vs RETINOL RETINOL SKIN… — Which Is Better? | Gracie

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OLAY Super Serum vs RETINOL RETINOL SKIN CREAM

RETINOL RETINOL SKIN CREAM scores 8.5/9.8 vs OLAY Super Serum at 8.0/9.8. RETINOL RETINOL SKIN CREAM wins for hydration.

Head to head

OLAY

Super Serum

serumbudget

8.0

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Ingredients

Niacinamide
Retinol
Hyaluronic Acid
Salicylic Acid

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Gracie

Honest skincare intel. No jargon, no gatekeeping — just the ingredients decoded.

RETINOL

RETINOL SKIN CREAM

moisturiser

8.5

Score comparison

RETINOL RETINOL SKIN CREAM edges ahead, winning 1 of 5 attributes.

OLAY wins 1

Tied 3

RETINOL wins 1

8.0OLAY

+0.5vs

8.5RETINOL

Scores last verified: April 2026

Attribute battle

Hydration Efficacy

RETINOL WINS

7.0

9.8

OLAY

RETINOL

Irritation Risk

TIE

9.5

OLAY

RETINOL

Active Ingredient Strength

TIE

6.4

6.3

OLAY

RETINOL

Ingredient Transparency

TIE

8.5

OLAY

RETINOL

Formulation Safety

OLAY WINS

9.0

7.5

OLAY

RETINOL

Ingredient face-off

13% overlap

20OLAY

7Shared

54RETINOL

Only in OLAY Super Serum

13 unique

Water Niacinamide Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate Collagen Peptide Aha Complex Dimethicone Crosspolymer C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate Panthenol Tocopheryl Acetate Allantoin+3 more

Shared ingredients

7 in common

Glycerin Dimethicone Retinol Sodium Hyaluronate Propanediol Carbomer Phenoxyethanol

Only in RETINOL RETINOL SKIN CREAM

47 unique

Butylene Glycol Mineral Oil Cetearyl Alcohol Isopropyl Palmitate Sodium Pca Arginine Aspartic Acid Pca Glycine Alanine+37 more

Why RETINOL RETINOL SKIN CREAM comes out ahead

Where RETINOL RETINOL SKIN CREAM really shines is hydration efficacy, scoring 9.8 compared to OLAY Super Serum's 7.0. With Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, and Sodium Pca in its top ingredients, RETINOL RETINOL SKIN CREAM delivers stronger moisture-binding capability.

Formulation Safety is another area of separation. OLAY Super Serum scores 9.0 here versus 7.5 for RETINOL RETINOL SKIN CREAM. That difference comes down to how each formula is built — the ingredient list tells the story.

RETINOL RETINOL SKIN CREAM brings Arginine, Royal Jelly Extract, and Retinol as actives, while oLAY Super Serum relies on Niacinamide, Retinol, and Tocopheryl Acetate. Both approaches have merit, but the positioning and supporting ingredients make the difference.

Best for your skin type

OLAY Super Serum is better if you have

Sensitive skin — the low-irritation formula keeps things gentle
Dry or dehydrated skin that craves moisture, thanks to Glycerin
Anyone who prefers clean, well-vetted formulations

RETINOL RETINOL SKIN CREAM is better if you have

Sensitive skin — the low-irritation formula keeps things gentle
Dry or dehydrated skin that craves moisture, thanks to Butylene Glycol
Anyone who prefers clean, well-vetted formulations

Value comparison

OLAY Super Serum comes in at budget pricing with a 8.0 score, which is solid value at that tier.

Our verdict

✶ Our verdict

+0.5 lead

RETINOL RETINOL SKIN CREAM edges ahead with a slightly stronger formulation, but OLAY Super Serum is still a solid pick.

8.0OLAY

8.5RETINOL

Frequently asked questions

Which is better: OLAY Super Serum or RETINOL RETINOL SKIN CREAM?

Based on ingredient analysis, RETINOL RETINOL SKIN CREAM scores higher overall. See the full score breakdown above for details on each attribute.

Do OLAY Super Serum and RETINOL RETINOL SKIN CREAM share ingredients?

Yes, they share common ingredients. Check the ingredient face-off section above for a detailed comparison.

What's the main difference between OLAY Super Serum and RETINOL RETINOL SKIN CREAM?

The key differences are in their active ingredients and formulation approach. Check the attribute battle above for a detailed breakdown.

Full analysis: OLAY Super Serum→Full analysis: RETINOL RETINOL SKIN CREAM→

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