Olay

Olay Retinol 24 Serum.

Retinoids

About this product

Olay Retinol 24 Serum is a nighttime serum formulated with retinol and retinaldehyde to address fine lines and support cell renewal.

Full ingredients

Water, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Retinol, Retinyl Propionate, Niacinamide*, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4**, Dimethiconol, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-4, Polysorbate 20, Laureth-7, Disodium EDTA, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polyacrylamide, Titanium Dioxide, Mica, DMDM Hydantoin, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate

Guru Score

70%

Mixed

Early verdict · Few reviews so far

What the gurus are saying

This serum combines retinol and retinaldehyde, so dermatologists caution against using both at once; use one per night, alternating between them on different evenings. The retinoid ingredients boost collagen production and cell turnover for fine lines. At forty dollars, though, better anti-wrinkle options exist, including stronger formulations and prescription tretinoin; the added peptide for firmness doesn't tip the scales much when compared to those alternatives.

Synthesized from 3 expert reviews · most recent take September 2025

What they liked

Accessible retinol option

What they flagged

Pricey for the ingredient list
Better prescription-strength alternatives exist

Best for

Mature skin

Type

RetinoidsDrops & dropper

Key actives

Retinoid Niacinamide Peptides

Formula notes

Fragrance-freeNo drying alcohol

Where to buy

Ulta → Amazon → Google → iHerb →

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What the gurus are saying.

Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

All takes Yay takes Nay takes Mixed takes Hide sponsored

Dr. Daniel Sugai

722k subs

~Yay

"You can get a serum by Olay Retinol 24, their cream is also good, and what retinoids do is a vitamin A derivative that will increase collagen production and increase cell turnover so it will help with those fine lines and wrinkles."

All 2 takes from Dr. Daniel Sugai

Fine Lines, Clogged Pores & Dandruff: What Dermatologists Really Recommend

How to Upgrade your Nighttime Skincare Routine!

"Olay Retinol 24 has made a nice serum. You could have one retinaldehyde, one retinol, but I would not double up on them. I would do one night retinol, the other night retinaldehyde. Retinaldehyde is stronger because it gets converted just once to become active retinoic acid, whereas retinol has to be converted twice. That's why this one is stronger than the retinol."

Cassandra Bankson

2.46M subs

~Nay

"This one has more glittery ingredients like Mica in it and actually has the added benefit of a peptide, specifically Palmetto pentapeptide four. This is probably good for anti-wrinkle benefits, this is probably good for firmness and elasticity in the skin. But for forty dollars, much better retinol anti-wrinkle products out there. You could do, you can even get prescriptions with actual tretinoin like the prescription strength. [...] There are so many other options out there."

Dr. Aanchal MD

3.49M subs

~Yay

"For serum take two to three drops and apply this on a clean dry face make sure that you apply a thin layer over your entire face and neck"

What the evidence says.

Independent of what the gurus think, this is what the published research supports about the main active ingredients here.

Retinoids

Retinoids are among the best studied ingredients in dermatology, with solid evidence for acne and for the fine lines and rough texture that come from sun exposure. Dryness and flaking in the first few weeks are common and usually settle.

Source: DermNet

Niacinamide

Niacinamide has evidence behind it for redness, uneven tone and supporting the skin barrier, and it is usually well tolerated even by skin that reacts to most things.

Source: DermNet

Sunscreen filters

Sun protection is the best evidenced way to slow visible ageing, and the filters are what does the work. Mineral and chemical filters both protect when a product is applied thickly enough and often enough, which is where most people fall short rather than on the choice of filter.

Source: DermNet

Frequently asked.

What is Olay Retinol 24 Serum?

Olay Retinol 24 Serum is a nighttime serum formulated with retinol and retinaldehyde to address fine lines and support cell renewal.

Is Olay Retinol 24 Serum worth it?

The gurus mostly approve it, but with enough reservations to keep it in the middle at a Guru Score of 70%.

What is Olay Retinol 24 Serum's Guru Score?

Olay Retinol 24 Serum holds a Guru Score of 70%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 3 expert reviewers we have collected.