Best Olay Products For Your 40s And Beyond

As we age, our skin tends to become drier, duller, and more prone to wrinkles, so it is important to adjust your skincare routine and use products specially designed for aging and mature skin.

Many Olay products target the specific needs of aging skin, offering a wide range of products that can help you look and feel your best. So today, we’ll discuss the best Olay products for your 40s and beyond.

Although Olay is a drugstore skincare brand, they have some incredibly effective products that outperform many pricier brands at a fraction of the price. I love Olay products, and as you can see from the image above, I’ve purchased quite a few.

These anti-aging products deliver noticeable results with regular use and address issues such as fine lines, wrinkles, dullness, and loss of elasticity and firmness.

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Best Olay Products for Your 40s and Beyond

You can mix and match the products to find out what works best for your skin or stick to using all the products from the same range.

The one thing Olay always seems to get right is product texture. The products in this post are lightweight, absorb quickly into the skin, and leave your skin feeling incredibly silky and soft.

A few notes before we get to the products:

When using retinol and exfoliating acids, it is important to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher daily. Since retinol can make your skin sensitive to the sun, retinol should only be used in your evening skincare routine.

Always patch test a new skincare product before using it on your skin for the first time to ensure that you don’t have an allergic reaction.

Olay Skincare Routine

For a sample Olay anti-aging skincare routine and for some of the best anti-aging ingredients to look for in Olay’s products, scroll to the bottom of the post!

Olay Ingredient Concentraions

Olay does not disclose the concentration of actives in their products. I’ve asked them about the concentrations, and they responded that it is proprietary information.

This makes it a bit difficult to compare their formulas to other brands that disclose ingredient concentrations, but I find Olay products very effective based on the improvements I have seen in my skin.

Olay Prices

Even though Olay is a drugstore skincare brand, some of their products get a little pricey.

I wanted to include some more affordable products in this post, so you’ll see a few less expensive options that address the visible signs of aging at a more affordable price point.

Olay Anti-Aging Cleansers

Olay offers cleansers in their range of Vitamin C, Retinol 24, Hyaluronic, and Collagen Peptide 24 products. These products are nice but not necessary for your Olay anti-aging skincare routine.

Since cleansers get washed off your face, you don’t get the lasting benefits of a leave-on treatment.

But if you enjoy certain Olay serums and moisturizers in their Regenerist product lines, you can pair them with the corresponding cleanser.

Use whichever cleanser works best for your skin type, and then focus on the anti-aging benefits of the following Olay products:

The serum contains 3-O ethyl ascorbic acid, lactic acid, niacinamide, peptides, and antioxidants to help reduce wrinkles, brighten skin tone, and improve skin texture.

3-O ethyl ascorbic acid is a vitamin C derivative that is more stable than pure vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and less irritating. It has antioxidant, collagen-boosting, and brightening benefits, like pure vitamin C, but is less potent.

The serum also contains panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) and trelahose, which are humectants to help your skin retain moisture.

Per Olay, with Vitamin C + Peptide 24 MAX Serum, your skin will be instantly moisturized with hydration lasting 24 hours. In one week, you’ll see visibly even skin tone, and within a month, you’ll see 2X brighter skin.

The serum contains 2X the Peptides compared to the original Vitamin C + Peptide 24 Serum.

Please note that there is added citrus fragrance in this Olay serum.

The silky serum contains 20% more Retinol 24 Hydrating Complex than the base Retinol24 serum.

Olay’s proprietary Retinoid Complex combines retinol and retinyl propionate to smooth fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin texture and tone and reduce the look of pores. (I notice a difference after one use!)

The serum also contains Olay’s favorite ingredient, niacinamide. Also known as vitamin B3, niacinamide helps reduce inflammation and redness and improve skin barrier function.

Palmitoyl pentapeptide-4, Olay’s Amino Peptide, helps firm the skin.

From the results I’ve seen, I think this retinol serum is Olay’s most potent anti-aging serum!

This lightweight, silky serum contains Olay’s Collagen Peptide, palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 (supported by palmitoyl dipeptide-7), which helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin.

Niacinamide, vitamin B3, is also included to help the skin retain moisture, support cell turnover, and gently exfoliate dull skin.

Tremella fuciformis sporocarp extract is a sugar molecule derived from the Silver Ear mushroom that contains glucuronic acid, just like hyaluronic acid (HA). This plant extract is supposed to have better moisture retention capabilities than HA.

This MAX serum contains 2X the Collagen Peptide vs the original Collagen Peptide 24 Serum.

Lactic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) and active ingredient that helps to gently exfoliate the top layer of skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, hyperpigmentation, and dark spots.

Lactic acid is my favorite AHA because it is less irritating than glycolic acid, another popular AHA, and offers moisturizing benefits, which makes it an excellent choice for dehydrated or dry skin.

This Olay product also contains niacinamide for additional brightening and moisture, plus palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 to firm the skin and improve skin roughness.

The one quality that stands out with the AHA + Peptide 24 range of Olay products is the lightweight texture. This Olay serum feels nearly weightless on my skin!

It’s non-sticky and absorbs quickly. It works well under makeup too.

Niacinamide improves skin tone and hydration, while two peptides, palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 and palmitoyl dipeptide-7 peptide, help support your skin’s natural renewal process and help it become more resilient.

I like this serum because you can easily mix and match it with other Olay products. You can even layer it with other Olay serums since it doesn’t contain strong actives like retinoids or exfoliating acids.

Best Olay Eye Creams For Your 40s & Beyond

Let’s not forget about our eyes. Since our eyes have some of the thinnest skin on our bodies, aging tends to be more pronounced around this area.

The formation of fine lines and wrinkles, crepey skin, dark circles, and puffiness around our eyes often occur as we age, so it’s essential to give this area some extra TLC.

This formula contains 3-O ethyl ascorbic acid, niacinamide (vitamin B3), and palmitoyl pentapeptide-4. Glycerin and panthenol provide additional moisture.

This fragrance-free vitamin C eye cream is super lightweight and has a cooling effect on your skin. It hydrates, brightens, and refreshes the skin around your eyes.

This eye cream pairs well with Olay’s Vitamin C + Peptide 24 serum and moisturizer.

Olay Retinol 24 MAX Eye Cream’s Retinol Complex of retinol and retinyl propionate helps smooth fine lines and crow’s feet around the eyes while improving skin texture and tone.

Niacinamide strengthens your skin barrier to improve hydration, while antioxidants help to provide extra nourishment for the delicate skin around your eyes.

The eye cream has a very creamy consistency that easily absorbs into the skin with no heavy feeling or greasy residue.

Olay’s Collagen Peptide, palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 (also known as Amino Peptide), pairs with palmitoyl dipeptide-7 to smooth fine lines and wrinkles around your eyes while improving skin texture.

Niacinamide brightens, smooths fine lines, and strengthens your skin’s moisture barrier.

This MAX eye cream contains 2X the Collagen Peptide vs the original Collagen Peptide 24 Eye Cream.

This eye cream is super gentle and works well under makeup too.

Niacinamide boosts the moisturizer’s brightening power, while lactic acid gently exfoliates. Olay’s Amino Petide works to firm your skin.

Glycerin, panthenol, and trelahose provide hydration to keep your skin feeling soft and supple for up to 24 hours.

This moisturizer has a light gel-cream consistency with a bright, refreshing citrus fragrance.

You can use this gel cream morning and night or just during the day if you prefer to use another moisturizer in your evening skincare routine.

Like the vitamin C serum, this vitamin C moisturizer is lightweight and doesn’t weigh your skin down.

This MAX moisturizer contains 2X the peptides vs the original Vitamin C + Peptide 24 moisturizer.

For more details on my experience with these Olay vitamin C products, please see my Olay Vitamin C + Peptide 24 review post.

Olay Vitamin C + Peptide 24 Serum vs Moisturizer

While you can certainly use both the Vitamin C + Peptide 24 serum and moisturizer together, if I had to choose just one, I would choose the moisturizer since it provides the benefits of a peptide and vitamin C derivative, plus it seals in hydration and moisture.

Niacinamide (vitamin B3) strengthens your skin barrier, and Olay’s Amino Peptide firms, giving your skin a more youthful appearance.

The Retinol24 MAX moisturizer targets wrinkles, fine lines, dark spots, and enlarged pores for brighter, smoother skin with a more even skin tone.

The cream is super silky and feels very nourishing on the skin. It’s also fragrance-free and non-greasy.

I notice a difference in my skin after only one night of using this cream. My pores look smaller, and my skin texture is more refined.

I think this Olay’s best anti-aging moisturizer!

For more details on my experience with these Olay Retinol 24 products, please see my Olay Retinol 24 review post.

Niacinamide, another key ingredient in this moisturizer, helps reduce your skin’s dullness and keeps it looking vibrant. It also evens discoloration, boosts your skin’s natural collagen production, and helps hydrate your skin.

Tremella fuciformis sporocarp extract is a type of sugar molecule that comes from the Silver Ear mushroom. It contains an active called glucuronic acid, which is similar to hyaluronic acid (HA) and is believed to be more effective in retaining moisture than HA.

The cream is formulated with 2X the Collagen Peptide compared to the base Collagen Peptide 24 moisturizer, so you get double the anti-aging benefits.

The rich but surprisingly lightweight moisturizer isn’t greasy at all and works well with makeup.

This moisturizer is a great choice if your skin can’t tolerate retinol or stronger actives. You still get the anti-aging benefits of peptides but without the irritation of retinol. Plus, you can use it twice a day.

As a bonus, this moisturizer looks beautiful on your vanity with its luxe gold lid!

For more details on my experience with these Olay products, please see my Olay Collagen Peptide 24 review post.

The active ingredients improve skin cell turnover to improve skin texture and reduce the look of dark spots and discoloration.

Lactic acid dissolves and removes dead skin cells, revealing brighter, smoother skin.

Niacinamide helps reduce your skin’s dullness and keeps it looking vibrant. It also evens discoloration and boosts your skin’s natural collagen production while balancing oil production and the appearance of pores.

Amino Peptide helps firm your skin, reduce the look of wrinkles, and improve skin tone.

This facial moisturizer is so lightweight yet hydrating. You can pair it with AHA + Peptide 24 Serum for a double dose of exfoliation or use it alone.

The moisturizer is excellent for dry skin types and doesn’t feel too potent, so if you have sensitivity to glycolic acid or strong concentrations of lactic acid, this could be a great alternative.

For more details on my experience with these Olay products, please see my Olay AHA + Peptide 24 review post.

Sodium hyaluronate helps to plump up the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines. Olay’s Amino Peptide helps to increase collagen production, which helps to firm and tighten the skin.

This cult favorite moisturizer instantly hydrates your skin while strengthening your skin barrier.

Olay Micro Sculpting Cream feels lightweight and has a luxurious, velvety texture. It absorbs quickly and is non-greasy, so you don’t need to worry about it feeling sticky on your skin.

It comes in a fragrance-free version, as shown above, and an original version with fragrance.

It contains Olay’s VitaNiacin Complex II of niacinamide and vitamins for healthy-looking skin.

Sodium ascorbyl phosphate, a vitamin C derivative, and green tea extract help to brighten, restore and protect the skin from environmental aggressors.

I’ve gone through countless bottles of this moisturizer over the years. I love the convenient pump bottle and nourishing, non-greasy formula.

The original version with fragrance is shown above. It is also available in a fragrance-free version.

The oil-free cream smooths skin texture without clogging your pores but feels nourishing and hydrating. It is designed to reduce the look of wrinkles after just 7 nights of use.

Please note that this moisturizer contains added fragrance.

Olay Anti-Aging Products For Dry Skin

If you have dehydrated or dry skin, you may see some temporary plumping and smoothing of fine lines once you hydrate your skin.

Hyaluronic acid is an excellent ingredient for this, as it can help retain moisture and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

Olay has a complete line of hyaluronic acid products that contain a firming peptide.

While I wouldn’t put them in the same category as vitamin C and retinol products for longer-lasting anti-aging benefits, they are a great option for those with dry skin who want an immediate plumping effect.

For more details on my experience with these Olay products, please see my Olay Hyaluronic + Peptide 24 review post.

This silky, creamy serum is formulated to provide extended hydration for plump, dewy skin.

Hyaluronic acid in the salt form of sodium hyaluronate acts like a sponge and helps your skin retain moisture.

The hyaluronic acid serum also contains Olay’s proprietary Amino Peptide for firming and niacinamide to brighten your skin and reduce the look of pores. Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) moisturizes and soothes your skin.

The fragrance-free lightweight serum absorbs easily and dries down without leaving your skin sticky or tacky.

The moisturizer replenishes your skin’s moisture barrier and helps reduce the look of dullness and aging.

Hyaluronic acid is included for hydration, niacinamide for skin balancing, brightening, and smoothing, and peptides for multiple anti-aging benefits. The gel cream also contains panthenol to soothe your skin.

The moisturizer has a lightweight texture, a cooling effect on the skin, and sinks in quickly.

I think the words “plump” and “dewy” best describe this product, as that’s how my skin feels after using this moisturizer.

This Olay moisturizer pairs well with Hyaluronic + Peptide 24 serum but also after a retinol serum or vitamin C serum.

I think it would be great for those looking for a drugstore moisturizer that does what it says it will do: provide extended hydration to create a glowing and dewy complexion.

If you like the lightweight feel of Olay’s Hyaluronic + Peptide 24 products, you can also try their Hyaluronic + Peptide 24 Eye Cream.

A Note On Olay MAX Products

When shopping for Olay products, you’ll see they offer original Vitamin C + Peptide 24, Retinol + Peptide 24, and Collagen Peptide 24 products, as well as MAX versions.

The MAX versions contain a stronger concentration of active ingredients, so I chose to include the MAX versions in this post.

Remember, we don’t know the concentration of active ingredients in the products, but the MAX versions contain 2X the original concentrations of the main active ingredients.

Olay Skincare Routine For Your 40s and Beyond

Olay makes it easy for you when you are trying to build a skincare routine. They have complete product lines from cleansers to moisturizers if you want to use all the same products from any Olay skincare range.

I like to use vitamin C products in the morning and retinol products in the evening. Since Olay retinol products are so strong, you are best off using only the Retinol 24 serum OR moisturizer in your skincare routine at the same time.

Example Olay Morning Anti-Aging Skincare Routine

• Preferred Cleanser
• Olay Vitamin C + Peptide 24 MAX Brightening Serum
• Olay Vitamin C + Peptide 24 Brightening Eye Cream
• Olay Regenerist Vitamin C + Peptide 24 MAX Hydrating Moisturizer
• Preferred Sunscreen

Example Olay Evening Anti-Aging Skincare Routine

• Preferred Cleanser
• Olay Collagen Peptide 24 MAX Serum OR Olay Wrinkle Correction Serum – Vitamin B3 + Peptides (on alternate nights: Olay AHA + Peptide 24 Resurfacing Serum)
• Olay Retinol 24 MAX Night Eye Cream
• Olay Retinol 24 MAX Night Moisturizer (on alternate nights: Olay AHA + Peptide 24 Facial Moisturizer)

TIP: If you want to keep things simple and use the same serum and moisturizer in both your morning and evening skincare routines, you can use products from the Vitamin C or Collagen Peptide 24 lines twice a day.

Olay Anti-Aging Ingredients

These are a few of the main over-the-counter active ingredients that I always look for to address aging skin concerns.

Vitamin C

During the day, I love to use vitamin C skincare products. Since vitamin C is an antioxidant, it helps protect your skin from environmental damage that we encounter during daylight hours.

Vitamin C also has brightening benefits, helps fade dark spots and hyperpigmentation, and stimulates collagen production for smoother, firming-looking skin.

Pure vitamin C (ascorbic acid) will always give you better results when compared to vitamin C derivatives, but each has its own benefits.

While pure vitamin C is more potent, vitamin C derivatives tend to be more stable and less irritating, depending on the concentration.

(The Olay products in this post contain vitamin C derivatives.)

3-O Ethyl Ascorbic Acid

Olay Vitamin C + Peptide 24 products are formulated with the vitamin C derivative 3-O ethyl ascorbic acid.

This derivative is more stable than pure vitamin C, giving it a longer shelf life. It is soluble in water and oil, while pure vitamin C is only soluble in water.

While 3-O ethyl ascorbic acid needs an acidic pH to be effective, it doesn’t need as low of a pH as ascorbic acid, so it might be more tolerable for those with sensitive skin than some more concentrated forms of ascorbic acid.

3-O ethyl ascorbic acid converts to ascorbic acid in the skin and provides similar yet not as potent antioxidant, collagen-boosting, and brightening benefits as pure vitamin C (ascorbic acid).

Niacinamide

I always sing the praises of niacinamide because it offers your skin so many benefits, including:

• Balances oil (sebum) production
• Reduces the look of pores
• Strengthens your skin barrier
• Calms redness and reduces inflammation
• Brightens skin tone and fades hyperpigmentation
• Minimizes the look of wrinkles and fine lines

No wonder Olay loves this ingredient so much. I do too!

Amino Peptide

Olay’s Amino Peptide, palmitoyl pentapeptide-4, is a proprietary peptide that addresses the visible signs of aging.

Also known as Matrixyl, palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 has been shown in this four-month clinical study to improve wrinkle volume and depth and skin roughness.

It’s the peptide that Olay includes in many of its anti-aging products to improve wrinkles, fine lines, and skin firmness.

Lactic Acid (Vitamin C + Peptide 24 Serum and Moisturizer)

Lactic acid is a humectant and exfoliant that helps your skin attract and retain moisture while gently removing dead skin cells from the surface of your skin for a brighter complexion.

Lactic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to improve cell turnover and reduce the appearance of wrinkles while also providing moisturizing benefits.

Lactic acid’s molecule size is not as small as glycolic acid, another popular AHA, so it’s not as likely to cause irritation, making it an ideal choice for those with sensitive skin.

Retinol

Retinol. Yes, the holy grail of over-the-counter anti-agers.

Retinol is a form of vitamin A that can help renew skin cells, stimulate collagen production, reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles, and even out skin tone and texture.

Out of all the over-the-counter products I’ve tried, I’ve seen the most change in my skin from using retinoids.

Since retinoids can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, you should use retinoids in your evening skincare routine while always using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher sun protection daily.

For more details on incorporating retinoids into your skincare routine, please see my Guide to Drugstore Retinol.

Best Olay Products for 40s and Beyond: The Bottom Line

Whew! Thanks for sticking with me if you’ve reached the end of this very long post!

Just know that you don’t have to spend a fortune or resort to invasive procedures to see results with your skin in your 40s and beyond.

Incorporating an effective combination of anti-aging products into your skin care routine, like those in this post, can help you achieve a youthful and glowing complexion.

By educating yourself on some of the best anti-aging actives, as mentioned above, you’ll be able to read through the ingredients on the product labels and determine which products are the best for your skin type and concerns.

Remember to adjust your skincare routine and experiment with different products to find what works best for your skin type.

Good luck in your continued skincare journey, and thanks for reading!