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Estée Lauder vs MAC

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

Estée Lauder and MAC are established beauty brands under the same parent company, offering distinct formulations tailored to different complexions. Estée Lauder provides a comprehensive range of moisturizers, serums, eye products, and cleansers formulated with hydrating hyaluronic acid and glycerin, suiting acne-prone and mature skin best. Conversely, the Canadian brand focuses on daily skincare through reliable moisturizers and makeup removers crafted from carefully balanced formulas that suit balanced skin. While both share corporate ownership, they differ through the American brand's targeted focus on nourishing anti-aging and blemish care versus the latter brand's gentle approach to daily maintenance.

Estée Lauder is an American skincare brand founded in 1946 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc..

en.wikipedia.orgelcompanies.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 Estée Lauder and MAC products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Estée Lauder vs MAC products

People Say

Estée LauderMAC
  • Deep hydration and moisturization Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin drinks it up immediately — Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair”
    • “Absorbs quickly into the skin — Estée Lauder Revitalizing Supreme+”
    • “Sits beautifully under makeup — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “Removes waterproof mascara completely without needing a separate remover. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • High price and expensive products Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “way too expensive for the size — Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair”
    • “too pricey — Estée Lauder Micro Essence Treatment Lotion”
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “A bit expensive — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”

Questions and answers

Estée Lauder or MAC: which is better?

Estée Lauder is generally better for shoppers looking for a wider variety of skincare options, as the products on this page cover many more skin types and concerns compared to MAC. Reviewers also note that most Estée Lauder items list no fragrance, whereas all MAC products on this page include fragrance.

What is the difference between Estée Lauder and MAC?

The products on this page show that Estée Lauder offers a much wider variety of items, including cleansers, toners, serums, and sunscreens, whereas MAC features a very small selection focused mainly on moisturizers and makeup removers. Reviewers note that Estée Lauder provides deep hydration, but its products often have a high price point.

Estée Lauder or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

For moisturizers, Estée Lauder offers a wider variety of options on this page with varying fit levels, such as Revitalizing Supreme+ achieving an Average fit for mature and dry skin. Reviewers often mention both brands for having a high price point, but Estée Lauder includes key ingredients like glycerin which helps provide deep hydration.

Which is more affordable, Estée Lauder or MAC?

Both Estée Lauder and MAC have high price points mentioned by reviewers, meaning neither stands out as more affordable. Shoppers looking at the products on this page will find that both brands share the same negative review theme for high prices.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Estée Lauder or MAC?

For avoiding breakouts, the products on this page for Estée Lauder fit acne-prone skin with High or Superior levels for cleansers and serums, whereas MAC offers only Average fit levels for acne-prone skin.

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

Estée Lauder has more fragrance-free options, as 12 of the 14 products on this page list no fragrance, whereas MAC has no fragrance-free options listed.

How do the skin types that Estée Lauder and MAC fit best compare?

The products on this page show that Estée Lauder fits acne-prone skin, mature skin, and oily acne-prone skin best, whereas MAC has no specific skin types listed as its best fits.

What are the key ingredients shared across Estée Lauder products?

The products on this page from Estée Lauder share key ingredients including hyaluronic acid and glycerin. Topical glycerin helps support the skin barrier, and topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin hydration and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

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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