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SK-II vs MAC

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

SK-II and MAC are distinct beauty brands that offer tailored daily routines, with the Japanese skincare brand founded in 1980 centering its transformative moisturizers, targeted serums, restorative masks, and balancing toners around its signature ingredient, pitera, while the Canadian skincare brand founded in 1984 is beloved for its thoughtful approach featuring reliable moisturizers and makeup removers crafted from carefully balanced formulas. Both provide standout options for targeted concerns, as the former suits acne-prone skin and dry sensitive skin best with products like the Genoptics Ultraura Essence, Facial Treatment Essence, and Facial Treatment Clear Lotion, whereas the latter suits balanced skin best with offerings like the Mineralize Timecheck Lotion, Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil, and Hyper Real Serumizer. Ultimately, they differ because regular application of pitera measurably improves pore area, roughness, and redness, while the latter thoughtful offerings provide a calm and measured foundation for daily maintenance.

SK-II is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1980 and owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991.

en.wikipedia.orgdiscoversk-ii.wixsite.comglossy.co

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

Popular SK-II vs MAC products

People Say

SK-IIMAC
  • Lightweight absorption and texture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “absorbs quickly — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Absorbs in a snap — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “Emulsifies beautifully and rinses off without a greasy film. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Radiance and glow Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “gives a glass skin look — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “leaves me with a red carpet glow — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “My skin is glowing now. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
    • “lit-from-within look — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Hydration and balance Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “skin feels deeply hydrated, plump, and smoother — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “Leaves skin soft, feels moisturized, does not dry out skin. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
    • “Leaves skin feeling soft and supple, never tight. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Excellent makeup base Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “foundation glides on — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Sits beautifully under makeup — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Improves skin texture Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “skin feels soft as butter — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Removes leftover dirt — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “petal-soft skin — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Effective makeup removal Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Removes waterproof mascara completely without needing a separate remover. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “Dissolves waterproof mascara, melts stubborn makeup, removes sunscreen easily. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
  • High price Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “A bit expensive — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “It is expensive - very expensive. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Unpleasant scent or fragrance Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “smells slightly like saliva — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “scent is overpowering — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Has a scent that might irritate very sensitive noses. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Lack of results Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Don't expect miracles — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Breakouts and purging Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “caused tiny red bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Small bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “did break out some while adjusting — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “caused acne — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”

Questions and answers

SK-II or MAC: which is better?

SK-II is a better choice for skin hydration and radiance, featuring fragrance-free products on this page that Lovi rates as High for dry sensitive skin. Meanwhile, MAC products on this page contain fragrance and may trigger sensitivity, though shoppers note they work well as makeup bases.

What is the difference between SK-II and MAC?

SK-II helps provide fragrance-free products with key ingredients like Pitera that do better for radiance and hydration, whereas MAC offers makeup bases and lightweight moisturizers but often includes fragrance. Lovi rates SK-II as a High fit for acne-prone skin, dry sensitive skin, and oily skin, while MAC's products on this page list fragrance in every product.

SK-II or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

SK-II offers moisturizers like the Facial Treatment Essence and Skinpower Advanced Cream that have a High fit for dry and mature skin on this page, while MAC features options like the Hyper Real Serumizer and Mineralize Timecheck Lotion with an Average to High fit. SK-II's products list no fragrance in their ingredients, whereas MAC's moisturizers contain fragrance. Shoppers may find that SK-II delivers better hydration and balance, though MAC is noted for its lightweight absorption and texture.

Which is more affordable, SK-II or MAC?

MAC is noted for having a high price point among the products on this page. SK-II does not have affordability mentioned as a primary concern.

Which causes fewer breakouts, SK-II or MAC?

MAC is unlikely to cause as many breakouts as SK-II, as breakouts and purging are noted as a negative review theme for SK-II.

Which brand offers fragrance-free skincare products, SK-II or MAC?

SK-II offers fragrance-free skincare products because every product on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas MAC includes fragrance across all its products on this page.

Which brand is better for improving skin texture, SK-II or MAC?

SK-II does better than MAC for improving skin texture based on reviewer themes for the products on this page.

How do the founding years and parent companies of SK-II and MAC compare?

SK-II was founded in 1980 in Japan and has been owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991, whereas MAC was founded in 1984 in Canada and is 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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