Olay's £11 anti-ageing moisturizer is my favourite affordable skincare product

As a beauty journalist, one of the most common questions I get asked is for people to recommend a suitable moisturizer that’s not too expensive and won’t aggravate oily or dry skin, and I think I’ve found just that with Olay Total Effects 7in1 Fragrance Free Moisturiser.

I love a luxurious, creamy, rich moisturizer to step up my skincare routine, but it’s often not worth spending over £50 on them, especially now that prices have risen – there are plenty of budget brands out there, like Olay, that don’t compromise on quality despite their cheaper price.

This all-in-one daily moisturizer regularly sells out and is often a skincare bestseller on Amazon, and it’s easy to see why. Here’s why I’m so impressed with this affordable product:

🛍️ Reviewed Products: Olay Total Effects 7in1 Fragrance Free Moisturizer
⏰ Tested: two weeks
⭐ evaluation: 5/5
💸 Reasons to buy: It’s hydrating for dry skin but not sticky or heavy for oily skin, so it’s very affordable and luxurious to use.
✋ Reasons to avoid it: May be too heavy for daytime use for oily skin
💰 The best deals we found: Available on Amazon for £11.32, down from £16.50

Amazon

This affordable formula hydrates, smooths and improves skin texture within days.

£11 on Amazon

💸 Reasons to buy

The packaging looks cheesy and fun, but inside is a powerful formula packed with Niacinamide, Pro-Vitamin B5, and Vitamin E that feels so luxurious upon application and keeps skin hydrated and smooth for hours.

Ingredients and their effects:

✨ Niacinamide — Promotes surface cell turnover and brightens skin
✨ Vitamin E — Prevents fine lines and uneven skin tone
✨ Vitamin C — Brightens dull skin and enhances radiance
✨ Provitamin B5 — Smoothes, softens and moisturizes

The pump dispenses quite generously, but I found it to be a little too thick for my oily combination skin, so half a pump was just right. It’s a daytime moisturizer, but the version I bought doesn’t contain SPF, so you can also use it as a night cream.

The luxurious gel-cream texture leaves skin feeling silky smooth. (Yahoo Life UK)

It’s fragrance-free, so it’s perfect for those with sensitive skin. (Yahoo Life UK)

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I chose the fragrance-free version because it’s a common irritant for people with sensitive skin like me, and it doesn’t have an SPF, so if you use this moisturizer during the day, be sure to apply a facial SPF before going out to avoid sun damage (I’m really appreciating No7’s affordable new products).

If you don’t mind scented products, Olay Total Effects Moisturiser is also on sale, with SPF 30, and is currently just £10.

Olay

Although it has a gel-cream texture, it doesn’t absorb quickly into the skin and it’s not advertised as such, so if you plan on wearing makeup, I recommend making sure your skin is completely dry and waiting five minutes before applying foundation to prevent any flaking.

After my first use, my skin immediately felt softer and smoother, and after two weeks, areas that are usually rougher, like my cheeks, looked smoother.

✋ Reasons to avoid it

If you’re looking for an affordable moisturizer that won’t irritate sensitive skin or aggravate rosacea or acne, this is a great option.

However, because it has a creamy texture, those with oily skin may find it a bit too heavy for daily use.

💰 The best deals we found

Currently the cheapest place to buy Olay Total Effects 7in1 Fragrance Free Moisturiser is on Amazon, where it’s currently 31% off, bringing the price down from £16.50 to just £11.32.

Buy it now: Olay Total Effects 7in1 Fragrance Free Moisturiser | £11.32 on Amazon (normal price £16.50)

buy now

If you’re looking to overhaul your skincare regime, you’ll also find a duo set of scented day and night creams from the same Olay range, reduced from the usual price of £24 to just £12 – a real bargain!