Olay Retinol 24 MAX Night Face Moisturizer Review
BLC Research Score
A research-based assessment from ingredient and formula analysis plus reputation, not a hands-on lab test. See our scoring approach.
- Best for
- Readers who want retinoids (retinol) high on the label
- Price
- $46.65 / 1.7 fl oz (50ml)
- Main claim
- Retinoids (Retinol)-led night cream
- Texture
- Night cream. We have not handled this product, so we do not describe how it feels.
Olay Retinol 24 MAX Night Face Moisturizer lists 23 ingredients. Retinoids (Retinol), Niacinamide, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 appear above the preservative line, so they are dosed to do something. It carries no fragrance. This is a research-based assessment from the published label and our ingredient hub, not a hands-on test.
Check price at OlayEditorial pick only.
Quick verdict
Olay Retinol 24 MAX Night Face Moisturizer lists 23 ingredients. Retinoids (Retinol), Niacinamide, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 appear above the preservative line, so they are dosed to do something. It carries no fragrance. This is a research-based assessment from the published label and our ingredient hub, not a hands-on test.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Retinoids (Retinol), Niacinamide, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 sit above the preservative line, so they are present at working levels
- Retinoids (Retinol) carries randomized trial evidence
- No fragrance or parfum on the ingredient list
- 5 ingredients on the list have a documented function rather than one hero and filler
Cons
- Carnosine has laboratory evidence only, so treat that part of the claim as unproven
- Olay publishes no ingredient percentages, so the assessment rests on ingredient identity and position rather than dose
What is Olay Retinol 24 MAX Night Face Moisturizer?
Olay Retinol 24 MAX Night Face Moisturizer carries 23 ingredients on its published label. We read the list in order, because above roughly one percent ingredients are listed in descending order of concentration, which is the only public signal of dose when a brand does not publish percentages. The preservative system starts at position 23, so everything after it is present in small amounts.
Key ingredients
What the hero actives in Retinol 24 MAX Night Face Moisturizer are supposed to do.
Retinoids (Retinol)
Position 6 on the list. The vitamin A family of skin actives (tretinoin, retinaldehyde, retinol, retinyl esters, adapalene) that bind nuclear RAR/RXR receptors to normalise keratinocyte turnover, boost collagen, and reverse photoaging. Retinol is the OTC gold-standard anti-ager.
Niacinamide
Position 8 on the list. The amide form of vitamin B3, a versatile, exceptionally well-tolerated active that brightens (by blocking melanosome transfer), repairs the barrier (by driving ceramide synthesis), and calms inflammation. Safety 9/10 (safe).
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Position 9 on the list. A matrikine signal peptide: the collagen-I fragment KTTKS conjugated to palmitic acid so it can cross the stratum corneum. It tells fibroblasts to keep synthesizing extracellular matrix, producing a small but statistically real reduction in fine lines.
Carnosine
Position 12 on the list. An endogenous dipeptide (beta-alanyl-L-histidine) valued in skincare as an anti-glycation agent that intercepts the sugar-driven cross-linking of collagen and elastin. Safety ~8/10 (safe; endogenous).
Titanium Dioxide
Position 22 on the list. An inorganic mineral UV filter with strong, photostable UVB and UVA-II coverage but weak long-wave UVA1, which is why it is usually paired with zinc oxide for full broad-spectrum protection. Gentle and well tolerated topically; the only live safety debate is inhalation of the loose nano powder, not
Learn more about these actives
Peptides
Short chains of amino acids that signal skin to produce more collagen and elastin, the two proteins that give skin its firmness and bounce.
Read the full Peptides guide ->Niacinamide
A multi-tasking vitamin B3 derivative that reduces pore appearance, calms redness, brightens uneven tone, and strengthens the skin barrier.
Read the full Niacinamide guide ->Glycerin
The most foundational humectant in skincare. Pulls water into the upper layers of skin and strengthens the skin barrier.
Read the full Glycerin guide ->Texture, scent, and application
Texture
Night cream. We have not handled this product, so we do not describe how it feels.
Scent
No fragrance or parfum on the ingredient list.
Application
Follow the manufacturer's directions. Any product carrying a documented active is worth introducing gradually, and daily sunscreen protects the result of anything working on tone or lines.
What we updated
- September 1, 2026
Price rose from $38.99 to $46.65.
What results can you expect?
Cosmetic ingredients change the appearance of skin over weeks, not days. Judge this on an eight to twelve week timeline, which is where the trials behind its better-evidenced ingredients sit.
Who is it best for?
- Readers who want to know what is actually on the label before buying
- Anyone avoiding fragrance in their routine
Who should avoid it?
- Readers who need published percentages before buying
Price and value for money
About $46.65 for 1.7 oz at the manufacturer.
Value verdict: Reasonable, given documented actives at working positions on the label.
One-time
$46.65
/ 1.7 fl oz (50ml)
Alternatives to Olay Retinol 24 MAX Night Face Moisturizer
Other night creams we have reviewed.
ALASTIN
Renewal Retinol
$81.00 / Full size
Read review ->Biodance
Bio-Collagen Real Deep Mask
$19.00 / 4 sheets x 1.19 oz (34 g)
Read review ->Cetaphil
Healthy Renew Night Cream
$25.99 / 1.7 oz
Read review ->Dr. Althea
Pure Retinol 0.15% Cream
$23.90 / 0.7 oz / 20 g
Read review ->See category roundups:
Final verdict
Olay Retinol 24 MAX Night Face Moisturizer lists 23 ingredients. Retinoids (Retinol), Niacinamide, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 appear above the preservative line, so they are dosed to do something. It carries no fragrance. This is a research-based assessment from the published label and our ingredient hub, not a hands-on test.
Check price at OlayIndependent. No sponsored placement.
Comparing options? See all our tested picks on the BestLiftingCream.com homepage.
Frequently asked questions about Olay Retinol 24 MAX Night Face Moisturizer
Editor's note
Research-based assessment. We read the manufacturer's published ingredient list and graded each documented ingredient against our ingredient hub, which tracks evidence level per ingredient. We did not test this product by hand, so this page reports no texture, wear, or irritation observations. Olay publishes no percentages for this formula.
Last updated: Sep 1, 2026. Read how we evaluate.