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The INKEY List vs MAC

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

The INKEY List and MAC are distinct skincare houses that cater to diverse complexions through thoughtful, specialized formulations. The British brand focuses on targeted serums, moisturizers, and toners built around glycerin to support sensitive and combination skin, while the Canadian brand offers reliable daily hydrators and makeup removers crafted for balanced skin. Both labels address specific needs like acne, dark spots, and aging through dedicated products, though they differ in their core ingredient philosophies and ideal skin types.

The INKEY List is a British skincare brand founded in 2018 and owned by Brand Evangelists for Beauty Limited.

cosmeticsbusiness.comprnewswire.comtheinkeylist.comtracxn.com

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

Popular The INKEY List vs MAC products

People Say

The INKEY ListMAC
  • 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”
    • “Super hydrating — The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum”
  • Makeup Performance and Base Sometimes 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”
    • “no pilling under makeup — The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
  • Gentle Formula and Soothing Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Great for sensitive skin — The INKEY List PHA Toner”
    • “Safe and gentle especially for my dry, sensitive skin — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
    • “calmed my menopausal redness — The INKEY List ECTOIN HYDRO-BARRIER SERUM”
    • “Does not cause breakouts — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Other Positive Effects Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Removes waterproof mascara completely without needing a separate remover. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “lit-from-within look — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Emulsifies beautifully and rinses off without a greasy film. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “skin looks fresh and plump — The INKEY List Collagen Peptide Serum”
  • Lightweight Texture and Fast Absorption Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “sits beautifully under makeup — The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream”
    • “Gel consistency — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
    • “feels like applying straight up water to the skin — The INKEY List Omega Water Cream”
    • “Emulsifies beautifully and rinses off without a greasy film. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Affordable Price and Value Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “Good for the price — The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser”
    • “One of the best balms for quality and also price — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
    • “unbeatable value — The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
  • High Price Point Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Other Minor Complaints Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Tube leaks liquified oil when opened — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
    • “very runny serum — The INKEY List Collagen Peptide Serum”
    • “contains glitter — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Felt sticky to me — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Unpleasant Scent or Fragrance Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Smells like BBQ/meat — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
    • “Smells like chemicals — The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum”
    • “scent is overpowering — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Has a scent that might irritate very sensitive noses. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”

Questions and answers

The INKEY List or MAC: which is better?

The INKEY List offers better value and gentler formulas across the products on this page, while MAC tends to excel in hydration and makeup performance. Reviewers note that The INKEY List features affordable prices, whereas MAC products often come with a high price point.

What is the difference between The INKEY List and MAC?

The products on this page by The INKEY List generally offer better affordability and gentle formulas with no fragrance, whereas MAC provides stronger hydration and makeup performance with a high price point and fragrance in its formulas.

The INKEY List or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

When comparing moisturizers, the products on this page show that The INKEY List offers budget-friendly and hydrating options with high Lovi fit levels for dry skin, whereas MAC features lightweight moisturizers that may carry a strong fragrance.

Which is more affordable, The INKEY List or MAC?

The INKEY List is more affordable, as reviewers often mention its affordable serums and moisturizers, whereas MAC is frequently noted for its high price point.

Which causes fewer breakouts, The INKEY List or MAC?

The products on this page for The INKEY List feature lightweight textures and gentle formulas that are less likely to clog pores, whereas MAC reviewers sometimes note strong fragrance and sensitivity concerns.

Which brand has products that are entirely fragrance-free, The INKEY List or MAC?

The INKEY List has products that are entirely fragrance-free, as every product on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients. In contrast, none of the products on the MAC page are fragrance-free.

Which brand offers better hydration and moisture according to review themes?

According to the review themes on this page, MAC does better for hydration and moisture. The products on this page for MAC include lightweight moisturizers and makeup bases, though reviewers note a high price point.

When was The INKEY List founded compared to MAC?

The INKEY List was founded in 2018 in the United Kingdom, whereas MAC was founded earlier in 1984 in Canada.

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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