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Cetaphil vs MAC

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

Cetaphil and MAC are distinct beauty names that offer varied daily essentials for different complexions. Cetaphil is celebrated for gentle cleansers, soothing moisturizers, targeted serums, and protective sunscreens formulated with glycerin, niacinamide, and panthenol, which suit acne-prone skin and dry sensitive skin best. Conversely, the brand from Canada is beloved for reliable moisturizers and makeup removers crafted from carefully balanced formulas that suit balanced skin best. While both provide thoughtful care, they differ primarily in their ingredient profiles and target skin types.

Cetaphil is an American skincare brand founded in 1947 and owned by Galderma Group AG.

en.wikipedia.orgcetaphil.co.uk

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 Cetaphil and MAC products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Cetaphil vs MAC products

People Say

CetaphilMAC
  • Hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “cleared up flaky skin — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “healed my dry patches — Cetaphil Moisturising Cream”
    • “absorbs quickly — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Absorbs in a snap — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Gentle on sensitive skin Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “The only thing my reactive skin tolerates. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
    • “No breakouts since switching to this. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
    • “cleans without stripping — Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser”
  • Excellent makeup base and primer Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “foundation glides on — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Sits beautifully under makeup — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Radiant glow and blurred pores Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “lit-from-within look — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Reduces appearance of pores — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy absorption Often MentionedNot noted
    • “absorbs instantly — Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Absorbs quickly into skin without residue — Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion”
    • “absorbs quickly — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
  • Gentle exfoliation and softening Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “petal-soft skin — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Micro-fine granules don't irritate — Cetaphil Extra Gentle Daily Scrub”
  • High price point Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive for drugstore — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Strong scent or fragrance Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Overpowering masking fragrance — Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar”
    • “Scent is overwhelmingly artificial. — Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser”
    • “scent is overpowering — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Breakouts and clogged pores Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “caused whiteheads — Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Broke me out bad — Cetaphil Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser”
    • “caused small bumps — Cetaphil Moisturising Cream”
    • “caused acne — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”

Questions and answers

Cetaphil or MAC: which is better?

Cetaphil is better for sensitive skin, offering a Lovi fit level of High to Superior for sensitive skin types across the products on this page, whereas MAC is noted for strong fragrance and sensitivity. Niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

What is the difference between Cetaphil and MAC?

Cetaphil is better for sensitive skin, whereas MAC does better with makeup bases and primers. Lovi rates Cetaphil best for acne-prone skin, dry sensitive skin, and dry skin.

Cetaphil or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

Cetaphil is better for moisture because the products on this page achieve a High fit level for dry skin, whereas MAC moisturizers reach only an Average fit level for dry skin. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin hydration and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, Cetaphil or MAC?

Cetaphil is more affordable than MAC, as review themes note a high price point for MAC while Cetaphil is not cited for high pricing.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Cetaphil or MAC?

MAC is generally reported to cause fewer breakouts, whereas review themes note that Cetaphil can sometimes lead to breakouts and clogged pores.

Where and when were Cetaphil and MAC founded, and who owns them?

Cetaphil was founded in 1947 in the United States and is owned by Galderma Group AG, while MAC was founded in 1984 in Canada and is owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.

How many products are listed for each brand, and how do their fragrance profiles compare?

Cetaphil has 27 products listed on this page, while MAC has 3. Cetaphil is largely fragrance-free with only one product listing fragrance, whereas all 3 MAC products contain fragrance.

Which brand performs better for hydration, gentle care on sensitive skin, and acting as a makeup base?

Cetaphil and MAC perform equally well for hydration, while Cetaphil is better for gentle care on sensitive skin and MAC is better as a makeup base. Niacinamide helps control skin aging and pigmentation, and sodium hyaluronate benefits skin quality.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

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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