Olay

Retinol body wash.

Body & Tan

About this product

A rinse-off body cleanser formulated with retinol and niacinamide, designed to cleanse while delivering retinoid and skin-conditioning benefits.

Full ingredients

Water, Petrolatum, Sodium Trideceth Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Trideceth 3, Fragrance, Niacinamide*, Retinol, Retinyl Propionate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Sodium Benzoate, Xanthan Gum, Glyceryl Oleate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Yellow 5, Red 33

Guru Score

64%

Mixed

4 experts · Moderate agreement

4Gurus

2Yay

1Mixed

1Nay

What they liked

Retinol formulated to work in short contact time
Gentler option for sensitive skin

What they flagged

Contains mica, may trigger allergies

What the gurus are saying

The experts genuinely split on whether retinol in a wash-off formula delivers real benefit. One camp notes that the brief contact time (typically under five minutes) may not allow enough absorption for meaningful results, making it questionable whether the retinol does much at all. The other camp points out that shorter contact can actually suit those with sensitive skin, and praises the niacinamide for helping with redness and discoloration. One reviewer did flag mica as an ingredient to patch-test first if there's any known sensitivity, since it can trigger irritation in some people.

Synthesized from 4 expert reviews · most recent take January 2025

Best for

Mature skin

Type

Body & TanLiquid

Key actives

Retinoid Niacinamide

Formula notes

Contains fragranceNo drying alcohol

Where to buy

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

Lab Muffin Beauty Science

861k subs

~Mixed

"I was really excited about the Olay Retinol Body Wash. [...] I started using it a few times and it was really nice, but then I noticed that my skin was just getting a little bit itchy and I decided at that point to check the ingredients. [...] It had Mica in it, which I am allergic to. I wasn't sure it was that, but I didn't really want to risk it getting worse. [...] There are tons of good reviews on it from people like Esther the Melanin Chemist, and I really trust her."

The Style and Beauty Doctor

221k subs

~Yay

"Olay has a retinol body wash that you might be thinking like a retinol body wash makes no sense because you know all the actives are just going to be rinsed down the drain that's actually not true and certain formulations for retinol body washes and facial washes there is something that they can formulate that kind of you do reap the benefits of the active ingredient now it's not the same way that you would reap it if it was a serum or a lotion but you reap it at any rate."

Doctorly

3.58M subs

~Nay

"I'm pretty low on them. [...] Here's why I have very good reason for my especially the retinoid family in a wash. There are studies on multiple different types of retinoids and the idea of short contact therapy. [...] When it comes to the setting of washing your face, it's like a minimum of 30 seconds, an average of like three to five minutes per short contact therapy for your wash. So unless you're actually putting that wash on, lathering it up, keeping it on at a good constant concentration for I'd say three to five minutes, I think the absorption is quite questionable and so the benefits are fairly negligible. [...] Beyond that, I think just let your wash be a wash and let your actives be your actives. I don't see a big purpose for the [...] retinoid wash, the retinol wash. I just don't see much utility in those whatsoever."

Dr Alexis Stephens

581k subs

~Yay

"This one here is the Olay Retinol Body Rinse Off and it has retinol but it also has niacinamide or vitamin B3 in there which really helps with discoloration whether that's red or brown discoloration. And then the retinol in this wash off product is fantastic because that short form of contact really works well for those with sensitive skin. If you have KP my friend you most likely have sensitive skin so it's a really great option."

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

Frequently asked.

What is Olay Retinol body wash?

A rinse-off body cleanser formulated with retinol and niacinamide, designed to cleanse while delivering retinoid and skin-conditioning benefits.

Is Olay Retinol body wash worth it?

The gurus mostly approve it, but with enough reservations to keep it in the middle at a Guru Score of 64%.

What is Olay Retinol body wash's Guru Score?

Olay Retinol body wash holds a Guru Score of 64%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 4 expert reviewers we have collected.