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Bioderma vs MAC

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes · How the Fit score works

Bioderma and MAC are distinct beauty brands offering thoughtful skincare ranges for daily maintenance. The French skincare brand, founded in 1977, is beloved for moisturizers, makeup removers, serums, and cleansers anchored by hydration-boosting glycerin, suiting acne-prone and sensitive skin best with products like Sensibio Gel Moussant, Sensibio Micellar Cleansing Oil, and Atoderm Intensive Eye. Meanwhile, the Canadian skincare brand, founded in 1984, is beloved for reliable moisturizers and makeup removers crafted from balanced formulas, suiting balanced skin best with products like Mineralize Timecheck Lotion, Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil, and Hyper Real Serumizer. While both provide gentle and effective care, the French brand focuses on restorative barrier function for reactive complexions, whereas the Canadian brand offers a calm foundation for standard routines.

Bioderma is a French skincare brand founded in 1977 and owned by Jean-Noël Thorel Foundation since 2018.

bioderma.usnaos.com

MAC is a Canadian skincare brand founded in 1984 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 1994.

elcompanies.comen.wikipedia.org

This page compares some of the most popular Bioderma and MAC products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Bioderma vs MAC products

People Say

BiodermaMAC
  • Gentle and Non-Irritating Formula Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “doesn't sting my eyes — Bioderma Sensibio H2O”
    • “melts every bit of make up and SPF off — Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Cleansing Oil”
    • “doesn't cause any irritation — Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Cleansing Oil”
    • “Emulsifies beautifully and rinses off without a greasy film. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Makeup Base and Primer Qualities Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “foundation glides on — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Sits beautifully under makeup — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “lit-from-within look — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Keeps you shine free — Bioderma Sébium Pore Refiner”
  • Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “absorbs quickly — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Absorbs in a snap — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “healed my dry skin — Bioderma Sébium Hydra”
  • Cleansing and Makeup Removal Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “feels like water — Bioderma Sensibio H2O”
    • “I love that it's non-greasy and absorbs quickly. — Bioderma Pigmentbio Sensitive Areas”
    • “Removes waterproof mascara completely without needing a separate remover. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Price and Value Concerns Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “pricier than other brands — Bioderma Sensibio Gel Moussant”
    • “finished too quickly — Bioderma Hydrabio Serum”
    • “pricey for water — Bioderma Sensibio H2O”
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Texture and Residue Issues Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Don't expect miracles — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “Felt sticky to me — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “requires a thorough follow-up — Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Cleansing Oil”
  • Skin Irritation and Breakouts Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “caused acne — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Breaks me out, I got pimples from this. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “Stings if it accidentally gets into the eyes. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “broke me out — Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Baume”

Questions and answers

Bioderma or MAC: which is better?

Bioderma is better for gentle, non-irritating formulas and sensitive skin, while MAC performs better for hydration, moisture, and makeup base and primer qualities. Reviewers note that Bioderma features soothing and barrier-repairing moisturizers with glycerin, whereas MAC products on this page all contain fragrance.

What is the difference between Bioderma and MAC?

Bioderma tends to do better for gentle and non-irritating formulas, whereas MAC is known for makeup base and primer qualities as well as hydration and moisture. Reviewers note that Bioderma features soothing and barrier-repairing moisturizers with glycerin, while MAC offers lightweight moisturizers.

Bioderma or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

Bioderma offers soothing and barrier-repairing moisturizers, whereas MAC is known for lightweight moisturizers, though reviewers note that MAC products often have strong fragrance and sensitivity issues.

Which is more affordable, Bioderma or MAC?

Bioderma is more affordable, though reviewers still note high price point and value concerns for the products on this page. MAC also faces frequent complaints regarding its high price point.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Bioderma or MAC?

Bioderma is associated with fewer breakouts than MAC, as review themes note that MAC has more issues with skin irritation and breakouts. Bioderma also features products on this page with high Lovi fit levels for acne-prone skin.

How do Bioderma and MAC compare in terms of fragrance and skin sensitivity?

Bioderma offers a higher proportion of fragrance-free options with nine out of twenty products listing no fragrance, whereas all MAC products on this page include fragrance. Reviewers note that MAC often causes skin sensitivity and strong fragrance issues, while Bioderma is widely recognized for its soothing, non-irritating formulas.

Which brand offers better makeup removers and cleansers according to reviewers?

Reviewers note that Bioderma offers gentle, effective cleansers and makeup removers, while MAC is rated equally for cleansing and makeup removal.

When was each company founded and who owns them?

Bioderma was founded in France in 1977 and is owned by the Jean-Noël Thorel Foundation, while MAC was founded in Canada in 1984 and is owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.

Research behind their key ingredients

Behind this comparison

Lovi compares products by their fit scores, calculated from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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