OLAY's New "Super Serum" Cocktails 5 Ingredients Without Irritation

We put the OLAY Super Serum 5-in-1 Benefit Face Serum to the test after receiving a complimentary sample from the brand. Keep reading for our full product review.

It seems like every few weeks, a new skincare product comes out and is advertised as a "must-have." I can usually resist trying out a new cleanser or toner, but serums and oils pique my interest. Every kind has its own set of benefits, ranging from retinols that reduce signs of aging to vitamin C serums that help brighten and even tone—so when a product claims to be multi-purpose, it always draws my attention. The OLAY Super Serum claims to have five benefits in one formula and has been receiving praise on TikTok, so I immediately knew I had to test it to learn if it's as powerful of a multitasker as the brand says. Keep reading for my full review to learn all about the benefits of this innovative product, plus how to work it into your routine.

About My Skin: Sensitive and dry

I love all kinds of skincare products—whether high-end or drugstore—and in the last few years, my favorite serums have come from brands such as Drunk Elephant and The Ordinary. The most important factors to me in any new product I try are that it contains minimal to no fragrance and the formula is hydrating. OLAY's Super Serum is recommended for use twice daily on the face and neck, but because my skin is sensitive and easily irritated, I used it only in the morning for the first week in case any reaction occurred. After that went well, I began applying the serum both in the morning and at night. 

The Feel: Refreshing and light

When I first applied the OLAY Super Serum to my hand, I was mesmerized by the pink-and-purple iridescent color. As I patted the product into my face, it felt cool and refreshing. On my skin, I saw a clear increase in glow, and the formula felt hydrating without being sticky. This sort of texture felt right for my dry skin.

The Ingredients: Powerful nourishment galore

As the name and description suggests, OLAY's Super Serum features five key ingredients that work together to provide a myriad of skin benefits within one product. Those hero ingredients are as follows:

• Vitamin C: This common skincare ingredient is incredibly popular for its many benefits, which include brightening and increasing glow, reducing redness, fading hyperpigmentation, hydration, and more.
• Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): A versatile skincare component, niacinamide can aid in treating dark spots, reducing fine lines, and boosting hydration. 
• Vitamin E: This antioxidant aids in nourishment and preventing cell damage throughout your body. The benefits of vitamin E in skincare products include softening skin, retaining moisture, and reducing sun damage.
• Alpha Hydroxy Acid: Known as AHA for short, this chemical exfoliant can help even texture, minimize dullness, and—in some cases—stimulate collagen production or provide antioxidant and hydrating benefits.
• Collagen Peptide: Hydrating and strengthening, collagen peptides are used across skin and hair products for their abilities to boost moisture, accelerate healing, and improve overall strength and nourishment.

The Results: Luminous skin with improved texture and tone

I usually steer clear of using skincare products that include fragrance, but OLAY's Super Serum surprised me. The light scent disappears quickly, and the serum's nourishing, gentle-yet-powerful formula didn't cause breakouts on my sensitive skin like some others I've tried in the past. The beautiful packaging immediately drew me in, and the incredibly lightweight formula provides a thin, breathable layer of moisture without leaving your skin feeling greasy. While a hint of iridescent sparkle is apparent when you apply the product to your hand, it's not visible once you pat the serum onto your skin.

While the serum does provide some hydration, my dry skin needs a lot of moisture, so I'd follow up with my CeraVe moisturizer for extra nourishment. I enjoyed adding this serum to my morning regimen, and towards the end of three weeks, my skin felt smoother and looked brighter. Although the serum alone doesn't provide the amount of hydration my complexion typically needs, I noticed that my skin didn't feel as dry compared to before I started using this product.

The Value: Affordable and well worth it

OLAY is one of the most popular drugstore skincare lines, and its prices are typically on the higher end for drugstore products but fairly accessible overall. While $35 for a 1-oz. bottle doesn't initially sound like a steal for a drugstore brand, considering the Super Serum formula has the potential to replace five serums in one (which the brand has demonstrated with robust clinical studies), we think it’s well worth the price. It's affordable compared to similar multi-tasking products, and I found that the serum noticeably improved my skin in several ways, just as the brand claimed.

Similar Products: You've got options

Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Magic Serum with Vitamin C: This vitamin C and polyglutamic acid serum ($85) brightens and plumps skin while reducing the appearance of dark spots, fine lines, and wrinkles. This fan-favorite—which has gone viral on social media—is a bit expensive, but a mini size is available for $30 if you want to test it out first.

RoC Multi Correxion Revive and Glow Daily Serum: This allover brightening face serum ($33) employs vitamin C and peptides for rapid radiance. The brand's studies have shown that after four weeks of use, users had a visibly more even skin tone and reduced fine lines and wrinkles. It's also a few dollars cheaper than the OLAY Super Serum.