Olay is a global skincare brand owned by the multinational conglomerate Procter & Gamble (P&G) [1.1, 1.4]. Specializing in innovative facial and body care, the brand is known for its “science-first” approach to skin health and its focus on anti-aging and hydration [1.1, 1.16]. Olay products are currently available in over 100 countries and are trusted by more than 20 million women worldwide [1.1].
Company Profile & Operations
Parent Company:
Owned by Procter & Gamble (P&G) since 1985 [1.1, 1.2].
Headquarters:
Global operations are managed from P&G’s corporate offices in Cincinnati, Ohio [1.1, 1.14].
Research & Development:
Primary innovation activities occur at P&G’s 2-million-square-foot facility in Mason, Ohio [1.1].
Global Reach:
The brand is a market leader in countries including the USA, UK, and China [1.10].
Workforce:
More than 1,000 P&G employees globally work on product safety and regulatory compliance, with over 500 dedicated specifically to product safety [1.20].
History and Evolution
Olay was founded in 1952 in Durban, South Africa, by chemist Graham Wulff [1.1, 1.18].
Origins:
The first product was “Oil of Olay,” a pink beauty fluid formulated to hydrate skin without leaving it greasy [1.1].
International Variations:
To navigate trademarks, the brand used regional names like Oil of Ulay (UK/Ireland), Oil of Ulan (Australia), and Oil of Olaz (Europe) [1.18, 1.23].
Global Unification:
In 1999, P&G unified the brand under the name Olay worldwide, though some variations like “Olaz” persisted in German-speaking countries until approximately 2020 [1.18].
Financial Milestone:
Olay became P&G’s 13th billion-dollar brand in 2013 [1.2, 1.18].
Key Product Lines and Ingredients
Olay has pioneered several mass-market skincare advancements, including being the first to include antioxidants and UV protection in 1991 [1.1].
Core Collections:
Regenerist:
Focused on anti-aging and collagen production using peptides [1.1, 1.10].
Total Effects:
Launched in 2000 to address seven signs of aging using niacinamide (Vitamin B3) [1.1, 1.10].
Retinol 24:
Nighttime moisturizers designed to minimize irritation while fighting fine lines [1.1, 1.25].
Whips:
A collection featuring “Active Rush Technology” for quick absorption [1.1].
Key Ingredients:
Common formulations include niacinamide, peptides, hyaluronic acid, and retinol [1.1, 1.5, 1.29].
Body Care:
The brand also offers a wide range of body washes, bar soaps, and hand lotions [1.2, 1.26].