OLAY Super Serum Review

(Gifted for social media review - but you know I don’t sugar coat)

Final Score - 23/30

Price vs Value: 4/5 Formula & Performance: 4/5 Texture: 4/5 Longevity/Results: 4/5 Packaging & Experience: 3/5 Repurchase Potential: 4/5

Available Here - Use code SUPER20 for 20% until end/Dec Check Ingredients List

Quick Summary

Olay’s Super Serum claims to have 5 benefits all in one, texture, tone, firmness, fine lines, hydration, and honestly? It does perform better than I expected.

It sinks in instantly, leaves a healthy glow (not the fake, silicone-y kind), and layers beautifully under moisturiser and SPF. The scent is noticeable and borderline perfumed, so sensitive nosed girlies beware, but the formula itself is solid.

First Impressions

The bottle has the same lustre finish at the Cream also in this range, I wouldn't say this looks as lux as the cream, but I do appreciate the effort, and I'm sorry, but I just hate that 'Canva' font - if you are someone who likes to have their skincare on show, they do look very cute together however. First swatch on my hand, this came out of the pipette almost pearlised, it was beautiful, and it didn't stop with the look, couldn't believe how silky this feels. It doesn’t sit on top of the skin like some peptide serums do, it genuinely melts in. No pilling, no tackiness, oiliness and no weird residue under makeup. Just a smooth, hydrated base.

And I’ll give credit where it's due, the glow is immediate without looking greasy. It feels like the kind of serum you reach for on autopilot because it just works.

Texture & Application

Soft, fluid, and spreads really easily, a little goes a long way. This is a “massage it in and forget you’re wearing it” texture, which is ideal if you’re a morning routine minimalist.

It absorbs fast, which makes sense given the formula includes glycerin, niacinamide, and sodium hyaluronate, hydration heavy hitters that pull water into the skin and help keep it there.

Scent

This is where it might lose some people. It smells nice, fresh, almost sweet, but it is definitely a noticeable fragrance. Not irritant level on me, and it does seem to die down quite quickly, but if you avoid scented products entirely, this won’t be your soulmate.

Ingredients That Matter

Here’s what actually makes this serum worth paying attention to;

Niacinamide

Brightens, evens skin tone, reduces visible pores. A superstar ingredient and one of the reasons this serum instantly looks like it “does something.”

3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)

A more stable, less irritating form of Vitamin C. Helps with dullness and pigmentation.

Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 (Peptide)

This is the same peptide used in many premium anti aging serums. Great for firmness, elasticity, and smoothing fine lines.

Lactic Acid (AHA)

A gentle exfoliating acid that boosts glow and keeps texture smooth, this explains why your skin feels instantly fresh after applying.

Sodium Hyaluronate

The salt form of hyaluronic acid, pulls hydration deeper into the skin.

It’s a strong lineup, especially for a drugstore accessible product.

Performance

After two weeks of consistent use along with the cream in this same range (morning and evening), here’s what stood out to me, my skin feels a lot smoother thanks to the lactic acid, tone looks more even the niacinamide and vitamin C combo is doing the heavy lifting, I definitely have a natural glow, I've had compliments, and trust me when I say, that doesn't normally happen, I work in an office full of Yorkshire men, it works shockingly well under makeup, almost like a primer, I've also had no irritation, no pilling, and no breakouts.

The price currently stands at £19.99, and I do genuinely think this is a reasonable price for the benefits I've personally seen, however, this has been knocked down from £39.99 on the boots website, I would not purchase this at that price.

My only gripes are the fragrance, and the brands iffy stance on being cruelty free - but as I always say, that's personal, the formula is strong, the product is a beautiful product, that works, and delivers, you just need to decide if you can separate the two, I personally do struggle with that.

Who I’d Recommend It For

Normal, oily, and dry skin Anyone wanting glow and smoothing without a 10 step routine People who like a lightweight, fast absorbing serum Makeup wearers who want a serum that won’t pill

Not ideal for: ultra sensitive or fragrance free only users.

Hi, I'm Charlie.

UK based blogger, beauty therapist and skincare specialist of 16 years, award winning brand owner, and reluctant adult. This blog is where I share everything that doesn’t fit on the back of a palette, thoughts, routines, breakdowns, realness, recommendations, and reminders that you’re not alone in this. I’m not here to sell you perfection. I'm here to show you how beautiful imperfection can be.

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