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BYOMA vs MAC

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

BYOMA and MAC are two distinct beauty lines offering thoughtful daily essentials for different complexions. The British brand, founded in 2022 and owned by Bansk Group since 2025, features nourishing moisturizers, toners, cleansers, and serums built around tri-ceramide and squalane to suit sensitive and dry sensitive skin best. Conversely, the Canadian label, established in 1984 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 1994, provides reliable moisturizers and makeup removers crafted from carefully balanced formulas that suit balanced skin best. While the former brand relies on science where its tri-ceramide complex improves skin barrier hydration and barrier integrity and squalane fights oxidative stress and boosts collagen production, both lines offer targeted products like specialized lotions, cleansing oils, mists, and serums to address acne-prone skin, dark spots, and mature skin.

BYOMA is a British skincare brand founded in 2022 and owned by Bansk Group since 2025.

cosmeticsbusiness.com

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

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

Popular BYOMA vs MAC products

People Say

BYOMAMAC
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin feels so hydrated — BYOMA Hydrating Milky Toner”
    • “feels refreshing on the skin — BYOMA Balancing Face Mist”
    • “absorbs quickly — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Absorbs in a snap — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Gentleness and Sensitivity Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “doesn't strip skin — BYOMA Creamy Jelly Cleanser”
    • “no irritation at all — BYOMA Sensitive Retinol Oil”
    • “great for sensitive skin — BYOMA Balancing Face Mist”
    • “Does not cause breakouts — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Makeup Base and Primer Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “foundation glides on — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Sits beautifully under makeup — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Skin Texture Improvement Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Reduces appearance of pores — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “petal-soft skin — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Keeps my face soft and not oily — BYOMA Brightening Toner”
  • Texture and Absorption Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “Absorbs instantly — BYOMA Moisturizing Gel-Cream”
    • “sinks in quickly — BYOMA Brightening Serum”
    • “sinks in immediately — BYOMA Hydrating Serum”
  • Skin Barrier Support Often MentionedNot noted
    • “helped heal my barrier — BYOMA Hydrating Serum”
    • “healed my skin barrier — BYOMA Hydrating Milky Toner”
    • “calmed my redness — BYOMA Creamy Jelly Cleanser”
  • High Price Point Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Packaging and Design Flaws Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “Opening is huge — BYOMA Brightening Toner”
  • Skin Reactions and Breakouts Often MentionedSometimes 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”
    • “Rolls off skin — BYOMA Moisturizing Gel-Cream”

Questions and answers

BYOMA or MAC: which is better?

BYOMA is generally better for gentleness and skin barrier support with fragrance-free options, whereas MAC is favored for makeup bases and primers. Reviewers note that MAC products often feature a strong fragrance and higher price point compared to the options on this page.

What is the difference between BYOMA and MAC?

BYOMA focuses on barrier support, gentleness, and fragrance-free hydration with products like Milky Moisture Cleanser, whereas MAC is known for makeup bases and primers but features strong fragrance across its range. Reviewers note that BYOMA does better for skin barrier support and gentleness, while MAC stands out for makeup bases and primers.

BYOMA or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

BYOMA is better for moisturizers because the products on this page feature gentle, fragrance-free formulas that focus on barrier repair and deep hydration, whereas MAC moisturizers often feature strong fragrance and sensitivity issues.

Which is more affordable, BYOMA or MAC?

BYOMA is more affordable, whereas MAC has a high price point. Review themes indicate that a high price point is a downside for BYOMA.

Which causes fewer breakouts, BYOMA or MAC?

BYOMA does better than MAC regarding skin reactions and breakouts. The products on this page for BYOMA help strengthen the skin barrier and are largely fragrance-free, whereas MAC products on this page feature fragrance which may contribute to sensitivity.

Which brand has more fragrance-free options, BYOMA or MAC?

BYOMA has significantly more fragrance-free options, as 16 of the 17 products on this page list no fragrance. In contrast, all 3 MAC products on this page contain fragrance.

When was each brand founded and who currently owns them?

BYOMA was founded in the United Kingdom in 2022 and has been owned by Bansk Group since 2025. MAC was founded in Canada in 1984 and has been owned by The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. since 1994.

Which brand is better suited for sensitive skin based on reviewer feedback and fit levels?

BYOMA is better suited for sensitive skin, as Lovi rates its cleansers and balancing mists at High or Superior levels for sensitive skin and reviewers note it for gentle and fragrance-free moisturizers. In contrast, MAC products on this page all list fragrance, and reviewers frequently note strong fragrance and sensitivity issues.

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

How does it fit your skin?

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