People Won’t Stop Asking if I Got Botox Because of This Serum
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."
If you’re like me and so sick of using a cabinet full of face serums that have to be cocktailed in *just* the right brew to see results, then listen up. You’ve heard of the “everything shower.” But what about an everything serum? That’s basically what Olay’s Super Serum is—a five-in-one formula hydrates, smoothes, firms, plumps, and brightens to help streamline and simplify your routine. But does it actually work as well as it says it does? Don’t worry—I (a very picky beauty editor who rarely puts my stamp of approval on anything that doesn’t blow my frickin’ socks off) tested it and am sharing my full—TBH, glowing—review below.
Super Serum
✨Editor rating: 4/5
Who it’s for: Those looking to smooth, tighten, firm, and brighten skin with one singular product
Who it might not be great for: Anyone with very sensitive skin, because it’s loaded with actives
Size: 1 oz.
Fragrance free? No
Full ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Lactic Acid, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4*, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Trehalose, PEG-11 Methyl Ether Dimethicone, Sodium Lactate, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Sodium Benzoate, Fragrance.
Super Serum
amazon.com
$29.90
What does the Olay Super Serum do?
Olay Super Serum is a face serum that targets five different skin issues, all in one product. Gone are the days of a lineup of serums that each cater to a different concern. This formula makes it easy by combining it all together without having to play mixologist yourself.
Because it’s loaded with actives, this serum is best for those with “normal” to oily skin; although, dry skin types can definitely benefit so long as they start slow and make sure to incorporate loads of soothing and moisturizing ingredients elsewhere in their routine to offset potential irritation and dryness.
Olay Super Serum benefits:
Smooths uneven skin texture with lactic acid, a gentle type of AHA that helps chemically slough away dead skin
Firms skin with collagen peptides that signal your skin cells to create more collagen and elastin (aka the building blocks of proteins that keep your skin plump), which can slowly help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
Fades hyperpigmentation using vitamin C, an antioxidant-rich brightening agent
Lightly hydrates skin with hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and panthenol
Calms irritation with niacinamide
Do I need to use a moisturizer with Olay Super Serum?
Yes, you definitely need to use a moisturizer with the Olay Super Serum (and let’s be honest—any facial serum under the sun, unless it’s loaded with hydrators or oils and you already have majorly oily skin). While the formula includes hyaluronic acid—a humectant that pulls moisture from the environment into your skin—it’s certainly not hydrating enough to act as your only form of moisture, especially if you’re using it at night.
My experience:
About my skin: Oily, acne-prone, and uneven
Right now, I’m really looking for products that will help reduce the bumpiness on my face, as well as help fade acne scars. Generally, my skin is pretty “tough” and can handle multiple actives ingredients, like retinol, AHAs, and BHAs. My T-zone is very oily and prone to clogged pores, especially blackheads, but my entire face is genetically predisposed to acne. Thanks a lot, Dad.
How to use the Olay Super Serum:
After cleansing (and toning, if that’s your thing), dispense a few drops of this serum into your palm, then spread it all over your face and follow with moisturizer and/or SPF depending on the time of day. Yup, it’s that simple. That’s why I like this serum so much because I don’t have to really think too much when I use it. I always used this formula in the morning because I often opt for retinoids and stronger exfoliating acids at night to clear my acne. But you could definitely use this during your nighttime routine too.
FYI: The directions note that you can use this up to twice daily—but unless you have seriously iron-clad skin, I would opt for, at most, once daily application. I chose to apply this around four days a week (starting with once or twice a week, then slowly building up to make sure my skin would tolerate it) because the formula does contain a slew of acids that can be irritating.
But regardless of when you use this formula, always, always, always layer on sunscreen in the daytime. The AHAs in this formula will make your skin more susceptible to sunburn, so be sure to slather on an SPF 30 or higher that you’ll be inclined to use every single day (FWIW, I’m obsessed with DRMTLGY’s Matte Universal Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 46 because it adds a teensy bit of coverage while giving my skin a blurred, soft finish).
How it feels: Lightweight
This opalescent serum looks like it’ll apply with a serious glow all over your face (I mean, look that that pink, glittery goo on the back of my hand—it’s stunning). In reality, it adds the tiniest sheen to my skin but nothing too noticeable because any glittery-glow disappears as I blend it in. Instead, it feels extremely light and sinks in almost immediately. I actually feel like I have to use a full dropper or else the product just melts into my face without a trace.
This, however, isn’t a problem by any means. The formula pairs nicely with legit every single moisturizer and other serum I’ve tested it with (including the rich moisturizer I love right now for nighttime, InnBeauty Project Extreme Cream, as well as my daytime pick, CeraVe Oil-Control Moisturizing Gel-Cream).
One con is that it is fragranced, which I know many people won’t appreciate, as this can definitely increase the likelihood that the formula may irritate your skin. It’s a floral scent with hints of ginger, and while it is not majorly overpowering and goes away as soon as I massage it onto my skin, it’s not my favorite smell in the world if I’m being honest. I don’t have a problem with fragranced products from a sensitivity standpoint, but I do wish the scent was a bit more light and natural.
The price: V affordable
The biggest pro of this product is how inexpensive it is considering the quality of the ingredients. Listen, I test skincare for a living. I’ve used (and love!) products that make me wince when I check the price tag. So when I find a product that fulfills both in formulation and cost, I get excited. No, this isn’t the least expensive drugstore skincare product I’ve ever tried. But it’s much less than similar serums on the market I love, like Peter Thomas Roth Ultimate Solution 5 Multitasking Moisturizer ($65), Tatcha The Dewy Serum Resurfacing and Plumping Treatment ($89), and Eadem Cloud Cushion Plush Moisturizer ($58).
My results: Smoothed skin
The first thing I noticed when using this serum was an improvement in how velvety soft my skin felt. The texture on my forehead and cheeks was reduced and the clogged pores around my nose started to dissipate. Specifically, my forehead feels like butter—I’ve honestly been skipping blending foundation up there because I don’t even need it right now. The highest praise!
The formula didn’t cause any breakouts nor did it irritate my skin (reminder: I started slow, and that’s the key here). In fact, I actually think it helped curb some of the hormonal breakouts I tend to get around my period since it was helping remove some of that old, sticky skin that clogs pores.
FYI: I’ve also started testing the new Olay Super Eyes Daily Serum to help counteract dark circles, under-eye bags, puffiness, dryness, and more. Plus, Olay launched the Super Serum Night Repair—a fragrance-free version that features salicylic acid, an MVP for oily and acne-prone skin. OG Super Serum is still my current go-to, but Night Repair is a solid addition to the lineup for oily skin, IMO.
Final verdict:
I would absolutely recommend this serum to anyone who wants to do a whole lot with their skin while only relying on one product. It’s a lil intense—vitamin C and lactic acid is a lot—but if you opt for once or twice a week application to start and slowly build up, it can be a great addition to a skincare routine of cleansing, moisturizing, and sunscreen-ing. And for way less $$$ than many of my favorite skincare products? Hell ya.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with six years of experience researching, writing, and editing skincare stories that range from Drunk Elephant dupes to eye creams for dark circles. She regularly tests and analyzes skincare products for efficacy while working with the industry’s top dermatologists to assess new formulas and brands.
You Might Also Like
