Olay Total Effects vs Regenerist

So, you've decided you want to try one of Olay's best-selling anti-aging products, but you can't quite figure out what the differences are? We've all been there, don't worry!

Come with us as we compare the Olay Total Effects vs Olay Regenerist Day Cream side-by-side to help you decide which is right for you. Enjoy!

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Olay Total Effects vs Olay Regenerist

When it comes to anti-aging lotions, serums, and other potions, why spend hundreds when you needn’t look further than your nearby pharmacy?

A longtime stud in the skincare game, Olay’s brand has aged like fine wine with regards to delivering formulas that truly do it all. Two lines in particular—Total Effects and Regenerist—have arguably reached cult status among Olay users for their optimal effects.

But before you decide to try both lines for yourself, let’s break down the details for each.

Comparison

With both day/night duos coming from the same brand, it’s safe to assume they’ll deliver quality results.

Olay Total Effects 7-in-1 Day Moisturizer is a non-comedogenic multitasker infused with antioxidants such as Vitamin B3 (AKA Niacinamide), Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Pro-Vitamin B5. This first-rate formulation works to provide ample hydration for a plump, glowy finish, while also lightly exfoliating. What’s more is that this daytime moisturizer lends broad spectrum SPF 15 UVA/UVB protection. Moreover, its night shift counterpart—Olay Total Effects 7-in-1 Night Moisturizer—contains almost identical ingredients for similar results, but, of course, doesn’t include SPF. Lastly, this nourishing twosome is best for those with dry, oily, or combination skin.

On the other hand, Olay’s Regenerist Day Face Cream claims to penetrate the skin’s surface to offer intense hydration for overall skin texture improvement. Olay credits Vitamin B3 and Amino Peptides for optimizing surface cell renewal for drastic results in just 28 days. The day cream’s nighttime reinforcement—Olay Regenerist Night Face Cream—is also a moisture-binding solution that helps skin cells to recover as you sleep. Given the density of both, this cream is best for those with normal, dry, or oily skin types.

So far, Total Effects vs Regenerist is a bit of an apples-to-oranges comparison. Perhaps the ratings and pricing will have some influence over your decision: Total Effects’ day moisturizer has a 4.5-star rating while the night moisturizer has a 4.4-star rating. Not bad. Regenerist’s day cream also has a 4.4-star rating but the night cream seems to be highly favored with a 4.8-star rating. Pricewise, the Total Effects moisturizers will run you about ~$17 on Amazon. The Regenerist creams are slightly more expensive and may cost you over ~$20—also on Amazon.

Conclusion

One of the most notable differences between the two lines is their packaging. The Olay Total Effects moisturizers come in a bottle with a dispenser pump, while the Olay Regenerist creams come in jars.

Now, even though both claim to be good for dry skin types, denser formulas tend to be put in jars as they’re too thick for a pump. I’ve been told by fellow skincare aficionados and estheticians alike to opt for creams in jars versus those in bottles when looking for something super moisturizing. So, it follows that the Regenerist range would be the better choice for those with especially dry skin, particularly during the colder and drier months. (But use your own discretion, of course!)

Moreover, we’d also like to note that according to Ethical Elephant, Olay does not claim to be cruelty-free or vegan. (They do have some vegan-friendly options, though.) 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.

Olay claims to support the Humane Society’s #BeCrueltyFree campaign to ban animal testing by 2023. So, it may be no surprise to hear that neither Total Effects or Regenerist appear to be vegan. We do expect better from a beauty giant like Olay, though. Sigh.

If you still find yourself stuck, flip a coin. Should you be able to look past Olay’s business ethics, you can’t go wrong with either pairing.