Olay vs Dove Body Wash: Which Should You Choose?

Olay and Dove are two beauty brands that offer a wide range of body washes at affordable drugstore pricing. But with so many choices, deciding which is best for you can be challenging.

So when it comes to Olay vs Dove body wash, how do you decide which one to choose?

I tested several body washes from Olay and Dove and created this comparison of three categories of Olay and Dove body wash, so you can make an informed decision and find the right body wash for your skin.

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Olay vs Dove Body Wash

Both Olay and Dove offer several different body washes and scents. I picked three popular varieties of body wash to test that are comparable between the two brands:

1. Moisturizing
2. Firming (because who couldn’t use a little firming? 😉)
3. Exfoliating

A few things to note:

The Dove body washes in this post are paraben-free and sulfate-free. Olay confirmed that the body washes in this post are not paraben-free and sulfate-free.

While all of the body washes in this post contain fragrance, I think Olay’s fragrances are stronger and have a somewhat fruity scent, whereas Dove body washes have a fresh, clean scent.

Olay Ultra Moisture Body Wash vs Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash

The body wash uses Olay’s favorite ingredient: niacinamide, to replenish the skin’s moisture barrier and accelerate skin cell turnover.

Niacinamide is a multi-benefit active ingredient that helps fade age and dark spots, smooth wrinkles and fine lines, and balance sebum (oil) production in the skin.

The moisturizing body wash also contains shea butter, a natural plant butter and moisturizer that provides hydration while also protecting the skin.

Sourced from the African shea tree, shea butter is rich in antioxidants that help soothe the skin.

Ultra Moisture Body Wash is perfect for dehydrated, parched, and dry skin.

It leaves the skin feeling soft, supple, and hydrated and has a bright, fruity fragrance.

It contains Dove’s Microbiome Nutrient Serum which is a blend of probiotics that supports a healthy skin microbiome. Glycerin and soybean oil moisturize the skin.

This nourishing body wash is a 98% biodegradable formula and comes in a 100% recycled plastic bottle.

This Dove body wash quenches dry skin and leaves skin feeling silky, soft, and hydrated.

The body wash is sulfate-free and paraben-free and has a fresh scent.

Which Moisturizing Body Wash Is Better?

When it comes to these two moisturizing body washes, Olay uses niacinamide and shea butter to nourish the skin, while Dove contains a Microbiome Nutrient Serum to balance the skin’s microbiome.

Both leave my skin feeling softer and smoother, while Dove feels a little creamier on my skin.

I reach for the Olay Ultra Moisture Body Wash more frequently since niacinamide is one of my favorite skincare ingredients.

You can’t go wrong with either, though. I think these are two of the best drugstore body washes for dry skin.

Olay Cleansing & Firming Body Wash with Vitamin B3 and Collagen vs Dove Age Embrace Body Cleanser

It contains niacinamide, also known as vitamin B3, which helps strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier, reduce inflammation, and protect against environmental stressors.

It also contains collagen, which helps to keep the skin hydrated and plump, giving it a more youthful-looking appearance.

This body cleanser moisturizes your skin with Olay’s Lock-In technology to keep skin hydrated without feeling heavy on your skin. It delivers moisture 10 layers deep into the skin’s surface.

It’s important to note that you shouldn’t expect anti-aging miracles from this or any other body wash because it’s not designed to penetrate the skin deeply enough for that, and it gets washed off!

However, it may help improve overall skin tone and texture if used regularly since it can replenish moisture while allowing the skin to retain moisture.

Moisture loss can cause skin irritation and dryness and increase the look of crepey skin.

Ideal for normal, dry, combination, oily, and mature skin, this body wash has a fruity fragrance.

It contains Dove’s 10X Moisture Boost Complex, which includes a blend of moisturizers, including palmitic acid and sodium gluconate, to provide extra hydration to the skin.

This sulfate and paraben-free body wash comes in a 100% recycled plastic bottle and has a light, fresh fragrance that reminds me of coconut.

Which Firming Body Wash is Better?

Both Olay and Dove formulated their body washes for mature skin with actives that target skin firmness, texture, and tone with convenient, easy-to-use pump bottles.

Though a body wash won’t replace the benefits of an anti-aging serum or cream that you leave on your skin, both products offer some benefits that can help improve the appearance of your skin.

Ultimately, the choice between Olay or Dove will depend on your personal preference. I like Dove Age Embrace Body Cleanser for its firming peptide, nourishing hydrators, and moisture retention benefits.

Dove also has a thicker and richer texture than Olay (almost like a cream) and a lighter fragrance than Olay, which I prefer.

Dove Age Embrace is my favorite body wash out of all the body washes I tried for this post!

Olay Exfoliating Body Wash with Sea Salts vs Dove Gentle Exfoliating Body Wash – Sea Minerals

This Olay body wash contains Olay’s Vitamin B3 Complex, which features niacinamide (vitamin B3).

Niacinamide replenishes moisture, evens out skin tone, and reduces the appearance of dark spots. It also helps reduce wrinkles and fine lines.

Sea salt is a gentle exfoliant, removing dirt, oils, and other impurities from the skin, leaving skin soft and smooth.

Jojoba esters are wax-like beads that also act as gentle exfoliators, removing dead skin cells.

The body wash has a pleasant, fruity scent.

The body wash contains Dove’s Microbiome Nutrient Serum, which blends probiotics to improve the skin’s moisture barrier and supports a healthy skin microbiome.

It also contains sea minerals, which act as natural exfoliants to remove impurities and dead skin cells.

Naturally-derived cleansers and a plant-based moisturizer leave skin feeling smooth.

The exfoliating beads are hydrated silica. These beads gently exfoliate the skin without being harsh or overly abrasive.

Like Dove’s other body washes in this post, this exfoliating body wash is sulfate-free and paraben-free.

It has a 98% biodegradable formula (ingredients break down into carbon dioxide, water & minerals) and is packaged in a 100% recycled plastic bottle.

It has a fresh, clean scent.

Which Exfoliating Body Wash Is Better?

These body washes look remarkably similar, with their tiny blue beads in each formula.

Both provide a very gentle exfoliation, and neither caused me any skin irritation.

While Olay contains sea salt, Dove contains sea minerals.

I find Dove to be a little more exfoliating, and I prefer its fresh, clean scent over Olay.

About Olay

Olay has taken a science-first approach to skincare for over 65 years. The brand, which is owned by Procter & Gamble, is known for its facial cleansers, moisturizers, serums, and treatments.

Olay has developed products targeting wrinkles, with its popular Retinol 24 and Collagen Peptide 24 lines.

Olay Vitamin C + Peptide 24 products target dullness, dark spots, and dull skin.

Olay Hyaluronic + Peptide 24 products are formulated to kick dryness to the curb.

About Dove

The #1 dermatologist-recommended brand in the US, Dove was founded in 1957. Owned by Unilever, Dove is well known for its Beauty Bar, formulated with a patented blend of mild cleansers and ¼ moisturizing cream.

Over the years, Dove has expanded into other personal care products, including body wash, body lotion, deodorant, hair care, and men’s products.

In recent years, Dove has focused on promoting a positive body image and self-esteem through its marketing campaigns and partnerships with organizations that share these values.

For The Best Results…

To get the best results, after using a body wash in the shower or bath, apply a body lotion, cream, or body butter to damp skin to lock in moisture and keep your skin nourished.

Also, avoid using a harsh bar soap or any body cleanser that isn’t formulated with nourishing ingredients since these products can strip your skin of its natural oils and be drying, especially on sensitive skin.

Thanks for reading!