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Neutrogena vs MAC

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

Neutrogena and MAC are respected cosmetic and skincare brands that offer thoughtful daily essentials tailored to distinct complexions. The American skincare brand is widely loved for its moisturizers, sunscreens, cleansers, and toners featuring glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and dimethicone, which suit mature skin and skin with dark spots best. Meanwhile, the Canadian skincare brand is beloved for its reliable moisturizers and makeup removers crafted from carefully balanced formulas that suit balanced skin best. While both provide targeted solutions for concerns like acne-prone skin, the former relies on active components to restore barrier function and reduce wrinkles, whereas the latter offers a calm and measured foundation for daily maintenance.

Neutrogena is an American skincare brand founded in 1930 and owned by Kimberly-Clark Corporation since 2026.

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

Popular Neutrogena vs MAC products

People Say

NeutrogenaMAC
  • Lightweight hydration Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Absorbs instantly without sticky residue — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
    • “Skin looked plumper and radiant — Neutrogena HYDRO BOOST WATER CREAM”
    • “absorbs quickly — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Absorbs in a snap — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Makeup compatibility and primer Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “foundation glides on — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Sits beautifully under makeup — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “Reduces appearance of pores — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “Works well under makeup — Neutrogena HYDRO BOOST WATER CREAM”
  • Gentle and fragrance-free formulas Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “leaves skin soft and balanced — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
    • “love that it has no scent — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
    • “calms my acne prone skin — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
    • “Does not cause breakouts — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Cleansing and makeup removal Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Removes waterproof mascara completely without needing a separate remover. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “Emulsifies beautifully and rinses off without a greasy film. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “Leaves skin feeling soft and supple, never tight. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “dissolves stubborn waterproof mascara — Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover”
  • Radiant glow and appearance Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “lit-from-within look — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “hasn't caused a single breakout — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
  • Anti-aging and skin texture Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Skin is looking smoother — Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream”
    • “Deep lines have softened — Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream”
    • “petal-soft skin — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Price and quantity value Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Jar is too small for the price — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
    • “Runs out quickly — Neutrogena HYDRO BOOST WATER CREAM”
    • “Tube is tiny for the cost — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Eye Gel-Cream”
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Insufficient moisture or efficacy Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Don't expect miracles — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “Felt sticky to me — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “leaves greasy film — Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover”
  • Skin and eye irritation Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “caused acne — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Stings if it accidentally gets into the eyes. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “burns my eyes terribly — Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen”
  • Fragrance and scent issues Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Smell is too overpowering and lingering — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
    • “Scent is so off-putting — Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream”
    • “has a weird plastic smell — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
    • “scent is overpowering — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”

Questions and answers

Neutrogena or MAC: which is better?

Neutrogena is the better choice for gentle and fragrance-free formulas, as most of its products on this page list no fragrance, whereas MAC is better for makeup compatibility and primer. Reviewers note that Neutrogena offers better price and quantity value, while MAC often presents a high price point.

What is the difference between Neutrogena and MAC?

Neutrogena offers a much larger selection of fragrance-free products on this page and tends to be gentler, whereas MAC focuses more on makeup bases and primers with scented formulas. Reviewers note that Neutrogena provides better value for price and quantity, while MAC excels in cleansing and creating a radiant glow.

Neutrogena or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

Neutrogena is a better option for moisturizers because the products on this page offer deep, lightweight hydration with largely fragrance-free formulas, whereas MAC features higher prices and frequent sensitivity issues. Lovi rates several Neutrogena moisturizers at High or Superior for various skin types, while MAC moisturizers generally reach only an Average fit level.

Which is more affordable, Neutrogena or MAC?

Neutrogena is more affordable than MAC, as MAC has high price point concerns. Reviewers note that Neutrogena offers better price and quantity value.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Neutrogena or MAC?

Neutrogena is better suited for acne-prone skin, as the products on this page achieve High and Superior Lovi fit levels for acne-prone and oily acne-prone skin types. Retinol helps reduce signs of aging and supports cell turnover, while salicylic acid helps clear pores and manage breakouts.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000

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

Neutrogena was founded in the United States in 1930 and is owned by Kimberly-Clark Corporation, while MAC was founded in Canada in 1984 and is owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.

Which brand offers more fragrance-free options among their skincare products?

Neutrogena offers far more fragrance-free options, as 35 of the 39 products on its page list no fragrance, whereas all 3 products on the MAC page contain fragrance.

What are the main review sentiments regarding the price and value of each brand?

Reviewers note that Neutrogena is better for price and quantity value, whereas MAC tends to have a high price point.

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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