Olay AHA + Peptide 24 Review

When Olay has a new skincare launch, I always take notice because they have a long-standing history of producing some of the best affordable skincare products on the market.

So when I saw their AHA + Peptide 24 products launch, I quickly ordered the products to test them out. I was excited to try Olay’s new serum and moisturizer formulated with an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), lactic acid, my favorite AHA!

So I’ll discuss my experience with Olay’s new AHA serum and moisturizer in this Olay AHA + Peptide 24 review.

I’ll update this review as I continue to use these new Olay products. I’ll share my first impressions on product ingredients, performance, texture and wear, and initial results for now.

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Olay AHA + Peptide 24 Review

Olay released two new products: Olay AHA + Peptide 24 Resurfacing Serum, which is 1.3 oz, and Olay Regenerist AHA + Peptide 24 Face Moisturizer, which is 1.7 oz.

These Olay products use lactic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid, plus other active ingredients like niacinamide and a firming peptide to brighten and smooth skin texture, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and improve overall skin radiance.

The serum and the moisturizer are formulated with the same key ingredients:

Olay AHA + Peptide 24 Serum & Moisturizer: Key Ingredients

• Glycerin: A humectant that helps keep skin hydrated and moisturized while protecting against irritation. Excellent for dry skin types.
• Dimethicone: A silicone-based polymer that helps fill in fine lines and adds smoothness to the skin.
• Niacinamide: Olay’s favorite ingredient, niacinamide, is a form of vitamin B3 that brightens skin, combats wrinkles, regulates oil production, and improves the look of uneven skin tone while strengthening the skin’s moisture barrier.
• Lactic Acid: An alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that gently exfoliates and brightens while improving the appearance of skin texture.
• Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4: A firming and anti-aging peptide that helps plump and firm the skin. Also called Matrixyl, this peptide supports collagen production in the skin and can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
• Panthenol: Also known as pro-vitamin B5, this humectant helps soothe and moisturize your skin.
• Trehalose: A naturally-derived sugar that helps your skin retain moisture.
• Sodium Lactate: The sodium salt of lactic acid that helps balance the pH of the formula while moisturizing your skin.

Per Olay, within two weeks of using these products, your skin tone will appear more even, and within a month, you’ll see smoother skin texture.

Olay AHA + Peptide 24 serum and moisturizer are fragrance-free and formulated without synthetic dyes, parabens, or phthalates. 

The serum combines lactic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), niacinamide, and a firming peptide with soothing and moisturizing actives to leave skin feeling soft and smooth.

This chemical exfoliator is ideal for rough, dull skin, as the serum resurfaces your complexion with its super lightweight formula.

Olay describes the serum as ultra-lightweight. I would agree.

I think it’s the most lightweight Olay serum I’ve ever tried. It has an almost watery consistency that absorbs into my skin quickly and doesn’t leave a trace of tackiness or stickiness.

I also experience no skin irritation or redness upon application, so I’m guessing the concentration isn’t as high as some of my other favorite lactic acid products, like The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA or Sunday Riley Good Genes.

Even though it appears that the serum doesn’t contain a high concentration of lactic acid, I think it’s still effective.

After a few days of using this Olay product, I noticed my skin was incredibly soft and smooth.

I think pairing it with the moisturizer (once a day) will supercharge my results. I’ll report back after using them together for a few weeks.

This facial moisturizer is formulated with lactic acid, niacinamide, and a firming peptide to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and replenish your complexion.

The moisturizer encourages surface cell turnover for a smoother, brighter, and more even complexion.

Like other Olay moisturizers, the moisturizer has an elegant texture, and like the AHA serum, it is ultra-light on my skin.

Olay AHA + Peptide 24 Moisturizer is silky and airy, leaving my skin soft and smooth.

It has a very lightweight gel cream texture that, like the serum, sinks into my skin quickly and feels weightless without any greasy residue.

This AHA moisturizer would be great for those with textural irregularities or an uneven skin texture because my skin has never felt so smooth.

I’ve been using this moisturizer in my evening skincare routine, and I’m seeing a noticeable improvement in my skin texture when I wake in the morning.

Olay AHA + Peptide 24 Drawbacks

Olay does not disclose the amount of AHA (lactic acid) in the serum or moisturizer, so it is not easy to determine just how effective it will be, so you are left with trying it to see how your skin responds.

It seems the lactic acid (AHA) concentration doesn’t seem to be as high as other lactic acid products.

But if you have sensitive skin, depending on your skin tolerance, Olay AHA + Peptide 24 might not be the best choice for you, as AHAs have the potential to cause irritation and redness.

Olay AHA + Peptide 24 products are a little pricey for drugstore lactic acid products compared to brands like The Ordinary or The Inkey List.

But I think Olay’s formulas always have a comfortable and elegant skin texture and work well with other products, which helps me rationalize the additional cost.

What Skin Type Should Use Olay AHA + Peptide 24?

While these products should work for most skin types, the lightweight texture of the serum and cream is perfect for those of us with normal to combination skin, and I think they would also be suitable for oily skin.

Lactic acid is also an excellent exfoliant for mature and dry skin since it’s more hydrating than other AHAs.

How To Use Olay AHA + Peptide 24 Products

When using Olay AHA + Peptide 24 serum and moisturizer, it is important to know how to apply them correctly.

While the instructions on the boxes indicate that you can apply each in your morning and evening skincare routines since both contain lactic acid, I reached out to Olay for more details on how to use them.

Olay said that since the products are designed to last 24 hours, they suggest using the serum OR moisturizer once a day.

But you can use the serum OR moisturizer twice a day (i.e., serum morning and night OR moisturizer morning and night) if you feel as though once a day isn’t enough.

My next question was: can you use the serum and moisturizer together?

Olay said the serum and face moisturizer could be used together, but they encourage mixing and matching with other products to prevent oversaturation.

They said you could use them together once daily since they are designed to work 24 hours. (I use them in my evening skincare routine.)

Please note that when using these products and for a week after (actually every day), you should apply a broad-spectrum SPF with a minimum of SPF 30 to protect your skin from sun exposure.

Since lactic acid can cause stinging and irritation if the product is too strong, it is best to patch test the products before using them for the first time.

Alternatives to Olay AHA + Peptide 24 Products

If Olay AHA + Peptide 24 products are not for you, but you are still looking for an effective AHA exfoliant, here are some alternatives:

The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA

The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA is a lightweight AHA serum that buffs away dead skin cells, boosts hydration, and reduces the appearance of fine lines.

The lightweight texture absorbs quickly without any tackiness or stickiness. And you can’t beat the low price!

NOTE: The Ordinary also offers a 5% lactic acid serum if the 10% concentration is too strong for your skin.

Sunday Riley Good Genes

The serum contains purified lactic acid to exfoliate and improve skin texture and the look of fine lines and blemishes.

Licorice and lemongrass brighten dark spots and discoloration, while prickly pear extract soothes redness and sensitivity.

This serum has been a favorite of mine over the years, as it plumps fine lines and wrinkles in just 3 minutes!

Peach & Lily Power Cocktail Lactic Acid Repair Serum

A hyaluronic acid complex hydrates and ceramides support a healthy skin barrier. Ginkgo biloba helps with redness, while a botanical ferment complex supports a healthy skin barrier.

The serum has a mid-range price point between Good Genes and The Ordinary.

What AHA Is In Olay AHA + Peptide 24 Products?

Lactic acid! Lactic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) known for its ability to gently exfoliate the skin, resurface the complexion, and even out skin texture.

It also has moisturizing and plumping qualities, making it the perfect ingredient for Olay’s line of AHA + Peptide 24 products that hydrate and nourish the skin while resurfacing skin texture.

Skincare Spotlight: Lactic Acid

Lactic acid is an AHA, or alpha hydroxy acid, naturally present in the skin as a natural moisturizer factor (NMF).

NMFs are components that help to keep the skin hydrated and maintain its natural barrier function.

Lactic acid is known for its ability to improve skin texture, tone, and firmness and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Lactic acid is an exfoliant that breaks down and dissolves the bonds between dead skin cells, promoting cell turnover and revealing smoother, brighter skin.

In addition to its exfoliating properties, lactic acid has been shown to have hydrating and soothing effects on the skin, making it a versatile ingredient in skincare products (It’s my favorite AHA!)

Lactic Acid vs Glycolic Acid

Glycolic acid has a smaller molecular size than lactic acid, which means it can penetrate the skin more deeply and effectively.

This can make glycolic acid a more powerful exfoliant, but it can also be more irritating to some skin types, especially sensitive skin.

In contrast, lactic acid has a larger molecular size, is typically more gentle on the skin, and has moisturizing benefits, making it more suitable for dry skin or those sensitive to stronger AHAs.

Final Thoughts on Olay AHA + Peptide 24

I’m impressed with the efficacy of Olay AHA + Peptide 24 products.

They’ve done a great job of formulating these gentle but effective products with lactic acid that are working to resurface my skin and make it look smoother.

Olay never fails to deliver quality products with ingredients that actually work, and I think the AHA + Peptide 24 line is no exception.

Thanks for reading!