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Olay vs MAC

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

Olay and MAC are two distinct skincare options, with the former warmly loved for its thoughtfully formulated moisturizers, eye products, serums, cleansers, and more, enriched with nourishing niacinamide and glycerin, while the latter is a Canadian skincare brand founded in 1984 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 1994, beloved for its thoughtful approach to daily skincare offering reliable moisturizers and makeup removers crafted from carefully balanced formulas. The first brand suits sensitive skin and acne-prone skin best, whereas the second suits balanced skin best, supported by gentle and effective ingredients. Together, their standout products and key ingredients differ as the former relies on niacinamide to improve wrinkles, pigmentation, and skin aging and glycerin to improve skin hydration and barrier function, while the latter provides a calm and measured foundation for daily maintenance.

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

Popular Olay vs MAC products

People Say

OlayMAC
  • Skin Texture and Smoothness Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “skin feels baby soft — Olay Retinol24”
    • “Skin feels like silk — Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer”
    • “hydrates the skin — Olay Advanced Eye Cream”
    • “Reduces appearance of pores — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “absorbs quickly — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Absorbs in a snap — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “Leaves skin feeling soft and supple, never tight. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “Instantly smoother, softer, and more hydrated — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
  • Makeup Compatibility Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “foundation glides on — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Sits beautifully under makeup — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “absorbs instantly — Olay Eye Lifting Serum”
  • Radiance and Brightening Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “iridescent glow — Olay Super Serum”
    • “hides dark shadows — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
    • “skin looks brighter — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
    • “lit-from-within look — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Absorption and Feel Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “sinks in quickly — Olay Super Serum”
    • “absorbs quickly — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
    • “absorbs instantly — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
  • Gentle Formulas 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”
    • “tiny beads aren't harsh — Olay Regenerating Cream Cleanser”
  • Price Point and Cost Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive for drugstore — Olay Super Serum”
    • “expensive — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
    • “small quantity (0.5 oz) — Olay Eye Lifting Serum”
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Fragrance and Scent Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Fragrance can be an irritant — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
    • “floral scent — Olay Super Serum”
    • “smells like plastic — Olay Retinol24”
    • “scent is overpowering — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Skin Irritation and Breakouts Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “caused cystic acne — Olay Retinol24”
    • “Caused breakouts — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
    • “caused acne — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Breaks me out, I got pimples from this. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”

Questions and answers

Olay or MAC: which is better?

When comparing the products on this page, Olay generally offers better options for texture, smoothness, and brightening, while MAC is favored for makeup bases and hydration. Olay's formulations are mostly fragrance-free, whereas MAC products on this page all contain fragrance. Both brands help improve skin appearance through key ingredients like Niacinamide and Hyaluronic acid.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Drug Delivery, 2017

What is the difference between Olay and MAC?

Olay tends to do better on skin texture, radiance, and absorption among the products on this page, whereas MAC is often noted for its lightweight moisturizers and makeup bases. Olay features a much wider range of mostly fragrance-free formulas, while MAC products on this page all contain fragrance.

Olay or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

When comparing moisturizers, Olay tends to be a better fit for mature and dry skin types, with options like Regenerist Ultra Rich Hydrating Moisturizer achieving a Superior Lovi fit. Its formulas frequently feature ingredients like niacinamide and peptides, which help improve skin texture and hydration.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2005

Which is more affordable, Olay or MAC?

When it comes to price, Olay does better than MAC on this page as MAC carries a high price point. The products on this page help provide everyday skincare options with varying cost factors.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Olay or MAC?

When it comes to skin irritation and breakouts, Olay and MAC perform equally on the products on this page.

Between Olay and MAC, which brand offers better options for fragrance-free skincare products?

Olay offers much better options for fragrance-free skincare, as 26 of the 27 products on this page list no fragrance. In contrast, all products from MAC on this page contain fragrance.

How do the founding years and corporate ownerships of Olay and MAC compare?

Olay was founded in 1952 and has been owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1985. In contrast, MAC was founded in Canada in 1984 and has been owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 1994.

Which brand performs better for hydration and moisture according to reviewer themes?

According to reviewer themes on this page, MAC performs better than Olay for hydration and moisture. The products on this page help deliver lightweight moisturization, though MAC has a higher price point and includes fragrance across its options.

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

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