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CeraVe vs MAC

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

CeraVe and MAC are two distinct brands offering thoughtful arrays of daily skincare essentials. CeraVe is universally loved for its moisturizers, cleansers, serums, and sunscreens formulated with hyaluronic acid and glycerin, suiting dry and acne-prone skin best. MAC is beloved for its reliable moisturizers and makeup removers crafted from balanced formulas, suiting balanced skin best. While both provide targeted solutions for concerns like acne and dark spots, the former emphasizes barrier restoration and hydration, whereas the latter focuses on a calm foundation for daily maintenance.

CeraVe is an American skincare brand founded in 2005 and owned by L'Oréal since 2017.

en.wikipedia.orghappi.comloreal-finance.comcerave.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 CeraVe and MAC products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular CeraVe vs MAC products

People Say

CeraVeMAC
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Saved my dry winter skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “doesn't leave face tight — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “absorbs quickly — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Absorbs in a snap — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Gentle and Sensitive Skin Care Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “no burning sensation — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “No scent, no irritation — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “Sinks in immediately — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “Does not cause breakouts — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Makeup Base and Primer Not 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”
  • Skin Texture Improvement Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “difference in my skin's texture is noticeable — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
    • “smoother complexion — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “less greasy — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
    • “petal-soft skin — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Makeup Removal Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Removes waterproof mascara completely without needing a separate remover. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “picks up lingering makeup — CeraVe Hydrating Toner”
  • Value and Price Often MentionedNot noted
    • “reasonably priced — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “Huge tub lasts forever — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “Great everyday moisturizer — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
  • High Price Point Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive Vaseline — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Texture and Formulation Issues Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Felt sticky to me — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “Has a scent that might irritate very sensitive noses. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “feels like washing with conditioner — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
  • Breakouts and Skin Congestion Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Gave me cystic acne — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “gave me closed comedones — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “caused acne — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Breaks me out, I got pimples from this. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Burning, Irritation, and Sensitivity Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Stung my raw skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “burns my damaged skin — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “caused acne — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Stings if it accidentally gets into the eyes. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”

Questions and answers

CeraVe or MAC: which is better?

CeraVe does better for gentle and sensitive skincare, skin texture improvement, and value and price, while MAC does better for makeup bases and primers and makeup removal. CeraVe offers fragrance-free products and is well-suited for dry skin, acne-prone skin, and dry sensitive skin.

What is the difference between CeraVe and MAC?

CeraVe fits best for dry, acne-prone, and dry sensitive skin with fragrance-free products, while MAC features strong fragrance and higher price points.

CeraVe or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

When it comes to moisturizers, CeraVe achieves a better overall Lovi fit for dry skin, acne-prone skin, and dry sensitive skin than MAC, offering fragrance-free options that reviewers find lightweight and deeply hydrating.

Which is more affordable, CeraVe or MAC?

CeraVe is more affordable than MAC, as reviewers frequently note CeraVe for offering better value and price while MAC has a high price point.

Which causes fewer breakouts, CeraVe or MAC?

CeraVe and MAC do equally well for breakouts and skin congestion according to the review themes on this page.

Between CeraVe and MAC, which brand offers better options for sensitive skin?

CeraVe offers better options for sensitive skin, as the products on this page have fragrance-free formulas and achieve higher fit levels for sensitive skin types compared to MAC. Studies show that ceramide-dominant barrier repair lipids help alleviate skin barrier issues.

How do the countries of origin and parent companies compare between CeraVe and MAC?

CeraVe was founded in the United States in 2005 and has been owned by L'Oréal since 2017. In comparison, MAC was founded in Canada in 1984 and has been owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 1994.

Which brand has products that are fragrance-free across the entire page, CeraVe or MAC?

CeraVe has products that are fragrance-free across the entire page, while MAC products on this page all contain fragrance.

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?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

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