Topicals vs OLEHENRIKSEN: Which skincare brand is worth your money in 2025?

In the bustling world of skincare, where every day a new brand promises miraculous results, it's often hard to find your way. Two names, however, have managed to capture attention: Topicals and OLEHENRIKSEN. These two brands, while very different in their approach and history, have established themselves as major players in the market, each with a well-defined philosophy and a community of engaged loyalists. Choosing between Topicals and OLEHENRIKSEN can be tricky, as both offer high-quality solutions that target specific concerns with great effectiveness.

📍As a skincare enthusiast, I know how difficult and personal finding the right products for your skin can be. What matters isn't just a product's effectiveness, but also the brand's story, its values, and the connection you feel with it.

💡This article aims to break down each brand's DNA, analyze their origins, their missions, and what makes them unique. I'll also compare product prices, customer reviews, and give you my final take on which brand to choose.

Introducing Topicals and OLEHENRIKSEN

To understand what sets these two beauty giants apart, we need to go back to their origins.

🔵 Topicals is a dynamic and innovative American brand, founded in 2020 by Olamide Olowe. While still in her twenties and dealing with chronic skin issues herself, Olowe co-founded Topicals with a clear mission: to make treating skin conditions like eczema and hyperpigmentation more enjoyable and less stigmatizing.

The brand positions itself with the bold mantra of "funner flare-ups," transforming the purchase of targeted treatments into a luxurious and pleasant self-care experience. Topicals stands out through its strong commitment to mental health, pledging to donate a portion of its profits to mental health support organizations.

This approach, combined with colorful packaging and candid social media communication, has allowed Topicals to become one of the fastest-growing skincare brands at Sephora.

🟨 OLEHENRIKSEN, on the other hand, draws its roots from the expertise of one man, Danish founder Ole Henriksen. After struggling with cystic acne himself, Ole studied cosmetic chemistry in London before opening his own spa in Beverly Hills in 1975, quickly becoming the go-to facialist for celebrities.

The eponymous brand launched in 1983, with the goal of bottling the results and experience of his spa. The brand's philosophy centers on joy, well-being, and achieving radiant glow, the famous "Ole Glow."

OLEHENRIKSEN was a pioneer in using vitamin C in skincare and continues to create powerful formulas that combine clinical actives with botanical extracts, all with sensorial textures and fragrances. Acquired by LVMH in 2011, the brand enjoys worldwide recognition and historical credibility.

The Differences Between Topicals and OLEHENRIKSEN

To start, nothing beats a comprehensive comparison chart for an overview. I've gathered essential information about each brand here.

This chart highlights some stark contrasts. On one side, Topicals is a very young brand, founded in 2020, and independent. This gives it great freedom in its communication and formulations. Its philosophy is clear: tackle real skin problems that are often hard to live with, like dark spots or ingrown hairs, with science-backed formulas. It speaks directly to a generation that's tired of "perfect skin" messaging and is looking for authenticity and effectiveness. The brand has built a strong community around this mission and these values.

On the other side, OLEHENRIKSEN has a much longer history. Founded in 1983, it's had time to establish itself as a go-to brand. Its acquisition by Kendo (owned by LVMH) in 2011 strengthened its market position. Its approach is different, more centered on the pleasure of use and achieving a luminous complexion. Its target audience is broader---after all, who doesn't dream of beautiful, glowing skin?

Prices at Topicals and OLEHENRIKSEN

Price is often the deciding factor. For a fair and honest comparison, we need to compare similar products and look at the price per milliliter or ounce.

I've selected equivalent products from both brands, from lip balm to cleanser, so you can get a clear picture.

The chart below shows the products, their sizes, and prices. We'll then analyze everything to see where each brand stands and what you get for your money.

At first glance, across almost every category, Topicals has a lower retail price than OLEHENRIKSEN. The lip balm is $16 versus $23, the moisturizer is $34 versus $52. But the most dramatic difference is with the serums. Topicals' famous Faded is $28, while OLEHENRIKSEN's equally famous Truth Serum is $56, exactly double! For products that are often the heart of a skincare routine, this difference is huge and weighs heavily on a monthly budget.

When you dig into the price per ounce, the gap holds up. For the lip balm, Topicals comes out to $32 per ounce, versus $57.50 for OLEHENRIKSEN. That's almost 80% more expensive. For moisturizers, both have the same size (1.7oz), making the comparison straightforward: $34 versus $52. OLEHENRIKSEN is about 50% pricier for this product. There is one notable exception: the mask. Topicals' mask is $26 for one ounce, while OLEHENRIKSEN's is $42 for three ounces, bringing the price down to $14 per ounce. For this specific product, OLEHENRIKSEN offers much better value in terms of quantity-to-price ratio.

The overall trend is crystal clear: Topicals is a significantly more affordable brand. This pricing strategy reflects their target audience, younger customers who may have tighter budgets but don't want to compromise on effectiveness.

How to Save Money

Fortunately, whichever brand you choose, there are ways to save. Both brands have implemented systems to reward loyal customers and make their products a bit more accessible.

The first and simplest way, if you've found a product you love and use all the time, is the subscription system. Both Topicals and OLEHENRIKSEN offer to deliver your favorite products at a frequency you choose. In return, you get a 10% discount on every order. OLENHENRIKSEN also offers a 15% off every third auto-replenish order.

Another great way to save, especially if you want to try several products from a brand or if you already use a complete routine, is bundles (also called sets). Topicals is more compelling here, with bundles that let you save up to 30% compared to buying products separately. OLEHENRIKSEN offers sets with discounts of up to 25%. It's a great entry point to test a range without breaking the bank.

There are also more classic tips that are always worth taking advantage of. Both brands offer free shipping on orders over $50. That's a threshold you usually hit pretty quickly. Try to combine your purchases to avoid shipping fees.

Finally, the first thing to do before ordering from their website is to sign up for their newsletter. At Topicals, you'll immediately receive a 10% discount code on your first order. OLEHENRIKSEN is even more generous with a 15% code.

Customer Reviews for Topicals and OLEHENRIKSEN

To go beyond my own experience, I always like to check out reviews left by other customers. It's a great way to get a broader perspective and confirm or contradict a first impression. Let's break down the feedback on Topicals and OLEHENRIKSEN, two brands with very different reputations.

Reviews for Topicals

Let's start with Topicals. Based on the Thingtesting platform, the brand clearly stands out. With over 110 reviews and an impressive average rating of 4.3/5, it has built a loyal community that raves about the effectiveness of its formulas.

Chelsea # 5 # I love topicals! I'm a loyal user for years, as someone who experiences hyperpigmentation due to acne scarring. I love that they are dedicated to their product line. The packaging is not only cute but functionally 'serious' -- I like the tubes, and they're a staple in my medicine cabinet.

Rohini # 5 # helps reduce my dark spots and reduces discoloration that came with the hyperpigmentation and eczema. I like the feel of the product and it makes my skin healthier. I would recommend this product to everyone. Especially to those with acne prone skin and eczema prone skin.

Jenika # 5 # Love love, love this missing lotion and regular lotion. I will order again from them. Smell is just right and not overwhelming very good moisturizing lotion. The product container is also high catching.

Audrey # 4 # pretty moisturizing, unique texture and nice minty flavor. can be a bit too sticky for me though, often getting stuck in my hair. intrigued by their other products and i'm looking forward to trying more!

💡 In summary: Topicals' strengths are undoubtedly the powerful effectiveness of its products on hyperpigmentation and eczema, as well as its original and functional packaging. Customers love the visible results. On the downside, some feedback mentions a texture that can be a bit sticky for certain products and a strong scent that can be surprising at first.

Reviews for OLEHENRIKSEN

Now let's move on to OLEHENRIKSEN. Here, the picture is radically different---even alarming. On Trustpilot, the brand has over 180 reviews but with a very low rating of 1.5/5. These reviews mainly concern the shopping experience on the official website and customer service, which seems completely out of step with the products' popularity in stores.

Tyler # 1 # Terrible customer service. Just keep reading the rest of the reviews and you'll see similar complaints. You can't cancel or change your shipping address or make any changes after you've ordered. All you get is AI replies and even when you escalate to what may be a human, they will tell you there's nothing they can do.

Lisa # 1 # Stay away from these products if you have sensitive skin. I Used the vitamin C range once and my whole face swelled up with an allergic reaction. Very strong orange perfume added. Took a week on antibiotics and a steroid cream to get it under control.

Anna # 1 # I am putting 1 star but if could put Zero, I would have done it. I recently ordered 5 truth collagen serums from their website for my sister. She didn't want the products anymore so I decided to cancel my order. Surprisingly I couldn't cancel it on their website. I reached out to them and they refused to cancel my order telling me that they are still processing it. They are very dishonest people.

💡 In summary: While the effectiveness of some flagship products is recognized, the negatives are significant. Customers criticize disastrous customer service (orders impossible to cancel, no refunds, non-existent support), very long shipping times, and more concerning, numerous reports of allergic reactions, particularly for sensitive skin.

My Final Verdict: Should You Buy Topicals or OLEHENRIKSEN?

After analyzing everything, which one should you choose? For me, there's no wrong answer! Both brands are excellent, cruelty-free, and offer effective formulas. The choice depends entirely on what you're looking for and the issues you want to address. I'll give you my perspective to help you decide.

Why and for Whom to Buy Topicals

If you feel like you've tried everything for your dark spots, acne scars, breakouts, ingrown hairs, or eczema without ever finding a solution, then Topicals is made for you. It's a brand that was created to solve specific and persistent skin problems. Their formulas are highly concentrated in actives and designed to deliver visible results. If you're more interested in raw effectiveness than the scent of your products, and you're looking for a targeted solution to a specific problem, Topicals is the best choice. Plus, their price point is much more accessible, which is a huge advantage. It's the ideal brand for those who want dermatological results without breaking the bank.

Why and for Whom to Buy OLEHENRIKSEN

I'd recommend turning to OLEHENRIKSEN if you're primarily looking for a sensory experience and your main goal is to have a more luminous complexion and fight the first signs of aging. It's the perfect brand if you love pleasant textures, fresh citrus scents, and want to turn your skincare routine into a real moment of pleasure. Their products, especially the vitamin C "Truth" range and the peptide "Strength" range, are perfect for evening out skin tone, boosting radiance, and maintaining healthy, hydrated skin. If you don't have major skin concerns like severe acne or stubborn hyperpigmentation, but you want "glowy" skin and have the budget for it, then go for it. It's a trusted, well-established brand that delivers great results on radiance and prevention.

For me, the winner of this comparison is Topicals. Why? Because the brand addresses a need that was previously underserved in the mainstream skincare market. It tackles real, complex skin problems with remarkable effectiveness and at a fair price. It has created products that truly make a difference for many people who suffered from their skin.

OLEHENRIKSEN is a great brand, despite a pretty disappointing online customer experience, but it operates in a niche where competition is much fiercer.