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L'Oreal Paris vs MAC

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

L'Oreal Paris and MAC are established global beauty labels offering distinct approaches to daily complexion care. The French skincare brand founded in 1909 is beloved for expertly formulated serums, moisturizers, masks, and eye products harnessing hyaluronic acid and glycerin, suiting oily and acne-prone skin best. Meanwhile, the Canadian skincare brand founded in 1984 is known for reliable moisturizers and makeup removers crafted from carefully balanced formulas that suit balanced skin best. Both houses differ primarily in their active ingredients and target complexions, as the former features intensive treatments for mature skin and dark spots while the latter provides a calm and measured foundation for daily maintenance.

L'Oreal Paris is a French skincare brand founded in 1909 and owned by L'Oréal S.A..

en.wikipedia.orgloreal.comloreal-paris.co.ukcosmeticsbusiness.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 L'Oreal Paris and MAC products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular L'Oreal Paris vs MAC products

People Say

L'Oreal ParisMAC
  • Deep hydration Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “wake up with soft skin — L'Oreal Paris Age Perfect Cell Renewal Midnight Cream”
    • “Leaves my face feeling plump and dewy all day. — L'Oreal Paris Revitalift”
    • “absorbs quickly — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Absorbs in a snap — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Luxurious and lightweight texture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “melts into skin — L'Oreal Paris Age Perfect Cell Renewal Midnight Cream”
    • “glides on easily without residue — L'Oreal Paris Revitalift Anti-Wrinkle + Firming Eye Cream”
    • “Soaks right in, doesn't sit on top of skin. — L'Oreal Paris Revitalift”
    • “Emulsifies beautifully and rinses off without a greasy film. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Radiance and brightening Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “skin looks luminous — L'Oreal Paris Glycolic Bright”
    • “skin looks glowing — L'Oreal Paris Age Perfect Cell Renewal Midnight Cream”
    • “overall improvement in skin clarity — L'Oreal Paris Bright Reveal 12% Niacinamide Dark Spot Serum”
    • “lit-from-within look — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Excellent makeup base Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “foundation glides on — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Sits beautifully under makeup — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Gentle on skin Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Does not cause breakouts — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “Doesn't sting my eyes or blur my vision. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “very gentle, didn't irritate my skin — L'Oreal Paris Bright Reveal 12% Niacinamide Dark Spot Serum”
  • Smoothes skin texture Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “skin is a lot smoother — L'Oreal Paris Revitalift Laser Pure Retinol Night Serum”
    • “My skin feels silky and soft to the touch. — L'Oreal Paris Revitalift”
    • “skin felt noticeably smoother after one use — L'Oreal Paris Dark Spot Exfoliant Peel”
    • “petal-soft skin — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • High price point Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “a little bit pricy — L'Oreal Paris Glycolic Bright”
    • “taken aback by the price — L'Oreal Paris Bright Reveal 12% Niacinamide Dark Spot Serum”
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Skin irritation and sensitivity Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “caused acne — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Has a scent that might irritate very sensitive noses. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “slight tingling the first few times — L'Oreal Paris Dark Spot Exfoliant Peel”
  • Strong fragrance Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “scent is overpowering — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “The perfume smell is overwhelming and lingers. — L'Oreal Paris Revitalift”

Questions and answers

L'Oreal Paris or MAC: which is better?

L'Oreal Paris and MAC each stand out for different needs on this page, with L'Oreal Paris delivering better results for anti-aging and brightening while MAC excels as a makeup base. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin hydration and reduce signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

What is the difference between L'Oreal Paris and MAC?

L'Oreal Paris offers a wider variety of products on this page with a High Lovi fit for oily and acne-prone skin, whereas MAC provides lightweight moisturizers and products that serve as excellent makeup bases. Reviewers note that L'Oreal Paris delivers better radiance and smoothing effects, while MAC tends to have a higher price point.

L'Oreal Paris or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

For a moisturizer, L'Oreal Paris provides options like the Age Perfect Cell Renewal Midnight Cream which has a High Lovi fit for dry and mature skin, while MAC offers the Mineralize Timecheck Lotion with a High fit for dry and sensitive skin. Reviewers note that L'Oreal Paris excels in deep hydration, whereas MAC is known for lightweight moisturizers.

Which is more affordable, L'Oreal Paris or MAC?

L'Oreal Paris is more affordable than MAC, as reviewers frequently note a high price point for MAC while value and affordability are sometimes noted for L'Oreal Paris.

Which causes fewer breakouts, L'Oreal Paris or MAC?

For acne-prone skin, L'Oreal Paris products on this page achieve a High Lovi fit level, whereas MAC products on this page reach an Average fit level.

Between L'Oreal Paris and MAC, which brand offers a better fit for oily and acne-prone skin?

L'Oreal Paris offers a better fit for oily and acne-prone skin, as the products on this page show High fit levels for these skin types. Reviewers also note that the brand excels in lightweight textures and smoothing skin, whereas MAC does not focus its routines on these specific skin types.

How do the fragrance inclusions and reported skin irritations compare between L'Oreal Paris and MAC skincare products?

L'Oreal Paris products on this page have fragrance in half of their formulas, whereas all MAC products list fragrance. Reviewers often mention skin irritation and sensitivity for both brands, though MAC does better on being gentle on skin.

Which brand has a longer history and different parent company, L'Oreal Paris or MAC?

L'Oreal Paris has a longer history, having been founded in France in 1909 and owned by L'Oréal S.A., whereas MAC was founded in Canada in 1984 and has been owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 1994.

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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