Olay Retinol 24 is a collection of three anti-aging products that include retinol as the key ingredient. Since Olay is one of the most popular drug store skincare brands, you may be wondering if the Olay Retinol 24 collection is a good option for you. To help with your decision, we are going to review the Olay Retinol 24 products with a scientific lens, meaning we are evaluating the research that supports (or doesn’t support) the ingredients that you’ll find in these products.
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| - | Olay Retinol 24 New |
What’s Inside The Olay Retinol 24 Products?
As you can see from the name of this collection, retinol is the key ingredient in all three Olay Retinol 24 products. The brand actually uses both pure retinol and a derivative called retinyl propionate in their formulations. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of retinoids, as well as supporting key ingredients inside the Olay Retinol 24 products.
Retinol
Retinol is the go-to anti-aging ingredient recommended by dermatologists and skin experts. While retinol provides many benefits to the skin, it’s also known to cause side effects like skin dryness and irritation.
When applied to the skin, retinol is clinically proven to provide numerous benefits to the skin. According to a publication in the journal Clinical Interventions in Aging, retinol can minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improve uneven skin tone, restore skin firmness, and shrink the appearance of enlarged pores.
Retinol provides all of these benefits by first being converted to retinoic acid (its active form) after being absorbed into the skin. Retinoic acid works deep within the skin where it boosts collagen synthesis, increases elasticity, and repairs connective tissue. It also increases cellular turnover, which helps to prevent clogged pores and also promotes smoother, healthier skin.
While retinol provides many benefits to the skin, it’s also known to cause side effects like skin dryness and irritation.
Use retinoids at night. We recommend this retinoid oil serum. It contains Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, an ingredient that provides similar benefits with less irritation.
Everything Else
Niacinamide
Niacinamide is the amide form of vitamin B3 (niacin) that provides many benefits to the skin. For instance, a publication in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, states that niacinamide can repair the skin barrier and improve skin moisture, as well as reduce inflammation, blotchiness, hyperpigmentation, acne, and wrinkling.
We recommend Carrot & Stick The Repair Serum because it combines niacinamide with seven plant-based neuropeptides and soothing, brightening botanicals to promote a youthful glow.
Silicones
All three Olay Retinol 24 products contain high concentrations of silicones, such as dimethicone and dimethicone crosspolymer. The main function of silicones in skin care is to improve a product’s spreadability while imparting a silky, smooth skin feel.After topical application, silicones form a protective covering on the skin that provides both water-binding and water-resistant properties. The water-binding portion of the molecule is the highly flexible and mobile siloxane backbone, which binds to moisture in the air and holds it to the skin. This backbone also allows the water-repelling methyl groups to orient themselves toward the surface, creating a waterproof “umbrella” that prevents trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL).
What Are The Olay Retinol 24 Products?
The Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 collection launched in September 2019 with just three products: a night moisturizer, night serum, and night eye cream. The collection is designed to deliver the benefits of retinol while also hydrating the skin. Let’s take a closer look at the differences between these three products.
Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer
- Claimed to deliver visible improvements in fine lines and wrinkles, smoothness, brightness, firming, dark spots, and pores
- Key ingredients include niacinamide, retinol, and retinyl propionate
- Fragrance-free, dye-free formula
- Jar packaging means the retinol will deteriorate over time due to exposure to air
What are the Best Skin Care Products of 2024?
Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Serum
- Claimed to deliver visible improvements in fine lines and wrinkles, smoothness, brightness, firming, dark spots, and pores
- Key ingredients include niacinamide, retinol, and retinyl propionate
- Higher concentration of retinol than the Night Moisturizer
- Fragrance-free, dye-free formula
- Opaque plastic bottle with a dropper dispenser protects retinol from exposure to air.
Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Eye Cream
- Claimed to visibly firm, brighten, even skin tone, and reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and dark circles
- Key ingredients include niacinamide, retinol, retinyl propionate, and vitamin E
- Light, silky texture that absorbs quickly
- Fragrance-free, dye-free formula
- Jar packaging means the retinol will deteriorate over time due to exposure to air
Related: Best Wrinkle Creams
Where is Olay Retinol 24 Sold?
All Olay Retinol 24 products are sold on the brand’s website, as well as third-party e-commerce websites such as Amazon, eBay, Ulta, and more. You can also purchase Olay Retinol 24 products from drug stores like Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, Target, and more.
How Much Do Olay Retinol 24 Products Cost?
Olay Retinol 24 products are priced in line with drugstore items. All three products — Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Eye Cream, Night Moisturizer, and Night Serum — retail for $28.99 each.
What is The Olay Return Policy?
The Olay return policy states, “You will be responsible for the shipping charges to return the item(s). To obtain your refund, the item must be returned to us, unopened and in its original packaging, with all accessories, within 30 days of the date upon which we provided the item to the carrier for shipment to you.”
Is Olay Cruelty-Free?
Olay is not cruelty-free. Olay is owned by Procter & Gamble, a company that tests on animals. Olay also sells its products in stores in mainland China where animal testing is required by law.
Olay Retinol 24 Reviews
Olay Retinol 24 reviews on the brand’s website are overall very positive. The product with the most reviews is the Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Eye Cream, which has received an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars after more than 1,700 customer reviews.
Positive reviews for the Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Eye Cream mention that it helps the skin around the eyes to look brighter and more moisturized. Customers also appreciate that it has a silky texture without feeling greasy.
For example, one review says, “It’s been about a week since I started using it and I can honestly say that after day 3 or 4 I actually looked like I got some sleep (I have a 10-month-old, I didn’t). Not only do my eyes look brighter but I can visibly see that the skin around my eyes is more hydrated BIG PLUS. As with the moisturizer, a little goes a long way so it will last me a while, another big plus! The texture is smooth and silky and does not feel greasy or oily. I really have nothing negative to say about the product. I love it all around.”
The negative reviews for Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Eye Cream are mostly from customers who saw no difference after using this product. For example, one review says, “I bought this about a month ago and I haven’t noticed any difference in my skin or wrinkles or fine lines. I had a lot better improvement with ROC retinol serum. I just thought because Olay has good ratings and a higher price that this product would be great. What a waste of money.”
Other negative reviews are from customers who experienced negative reactions from this product, such as skin dryness and irritation. For example, one review says, “I use this product for around two weeks and the skin around my eyes turned red and painful, which is very sad considering I paid like 30 dollars for the product.”
Our Verdict
Overall, we think that Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Serum is formulated well with evidence-based ingredients in packaging that will protect retinol from deteriorating. We don’t recommend the Night Moisturizer or Night Eye Cream due to the jar packaging.
Pros
- Low cost (all products less than $30)
- Niacinamide and retinol are evidence-based ingredients
- Many positive Olay Retinol 24 reviews
- Fragrance-free, dye-free formulas
Cons
- Retinol and retinyl propionate are weak retinoids
- The retinoids in Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer and Night Eye Cream will degrade over time because of jar packaging
What Are Some Alternatives to Olay Retinol 24?
If you’re looking for skincare products to address the signs of aging, we recommend Carrot & Stick. Carrot & Stick maximizes the use of powerful ingredients and minimizes the use of superficial ones, resulting in advanced skincare solutions that help promote healthy, more youthful-looking skin. We recommend The Repair Serum.
References:
1. Clin Interv Aging. 2006 Dec; 1(4): 327–348.
2. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2010 Feb; 3(2): 22–41
Jaime Original review: Dec 30, 2023.
Pilling happening with me too. Ridiculous. Literally flaking off like crazy. Embarassing and gross