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Medicube vs MAC

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

Medicube and MAC are distinct beauty brands, with the former being a Korean skincare line founded in 2016 and the latter a Canadian label established in 1984. The first brand is revered for its curated selection of moisturizers, serums, toners, and masks featuring niacinamide, collagen, and hyaluronic acid, suiting oily acne-prone and oily skin best by balancing excess sebum and hydration. Conversely, the Canadian label is beloved for its thoughtful approach to daily skincare, offering reliable moisturizers and makeup removers crafted from carefully balanced formulas that suit balanced skin best. While both offer targeted solutions for various skin concerns, they differ fundamentally in their foundational ingredients, regional origins, and ideal skin types.

Medicube is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2016 and owned by APR Corp..

medicubereviews.co.ukglossy.co

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

Popular Medicube vs MAC products

People Say

MedicubeMAC
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin feels bouncier and hydrated — Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum”
    • “gave me instant glass skin — Medicube Collagen Jelly Cream”
    • “absorbs quickly — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “lit-from-within look — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Makeup Base and Primer Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “foundation glides on — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Sits beautifully under makeup — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Soothing and Gentle Formulas Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “refreshing sensation — Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Gel Mask”
    • “calming the skin — Medicube Red Succinic Acid Peeling Pad”
    • “Does not cause breakouts — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “Doesn't sting my eyes or blur my vision. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Skin Texture Improvement Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “gives my skin a smooth, glass-like finish — Medicube Zero Pore Pad”
    • “skin feels smoother — Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Medicube Zero Pore Blackhead Mud Mask”
    • “petal-soft skin — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Pore Appearance Reduction Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Reduces appearance of pores — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “noticed a real difference in pore visibility — Medicube Zero Pore Pad”
  • High Price Point Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “price is steep — Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Gel Mask”
    • “price is a bit steep — Medicube Red Succinic Acid Peeling Pad”
    • “Wish it was more affordable — Medicube Zero Foam Cleanser”
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Strong Fragrance and Scent Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “slightly fishy smell — Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum”
    • “smells like old lady perfume — Medicube Collagen Jelly Cream”
    • “scent is overpowering — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Has a scent that might irritate very sensitive noses. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Breakouts and Skin Irritation 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”
    • “caused redness and sensitivity — Medicube Zero Pore Pad”
  • Sticky Residue and Finish Often MentionedNot noted
    • “hair sticks to my face — Medicube Collagen Jelly Cream”

Questions and answers

Medicube or MAC: which is better?

Medicube helps improve skin texture and hydration better, while MAC is preferred for makeup bases and primers. The products on this page feature key ingredients like niacinamide, which helps reduce pigmentation, and hyaluronic acid, which helps improve skin hydration.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

What is the difference between Medicube and MAC?

Medicube offers a wider range of Korean skincare products with key ingredients like niacinamide and collagen, while MAC features a smaller selection focused on lightweight moisturizers and makeup bases. The products on this page show that Medicube tends to do better with skin texture improvement, whereas MAC excels as a makeup base and primer.

Medicube or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

Medicube offers a wider variety of moisturizers that help deliver deep hydration, whereas MAC provides lightweight options that work well as makeup bases. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, Medicube or MAC?

Medicube is more affordable than MAC, though reviewers note small quantity and pricing issues for Medicube, and a high price point for MAC.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Medicube or MAC?

MAC has more issues with breakouts and skin irritation than Medicube, whose products on this page help improve skin texture. Topical ingredients like niacinamide may help control skin aging and pigmentation, and topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Which brand has more fragrance-free products, Medicube or MAC?

Medicube has more fragrance-free products than MAC, with 23 out of 25 products on this page listing no fragrance. In contrast, all 3 products listed for MAC contain fragrance.

Which brand is better suited for oily and acne-prone skin based on their routines?

Medicube is better suited for oily and acne-prone skin, as its brand-focused routines are specifically designed for oily skin, oily acne-prone skin, and acne-prone skin. The products on this page for Medicube feature key ingredients like niacinamide and salicylic acid that help manage oil and blemishes.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

How do the founding years and parent companies of Medicube and MAC compare?

Medicube was founded in South Korea in 2016 and is owned by APR Corp., while 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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