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COSRX vs MAC

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

COSRX and MAC are distinct skincare brands rooted in different philosophies and regions, with the Korean brand founded in 2013 and the Canadian brand established in 1984. The former is known for serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and masks featuring hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide that suit oily and sensitive skin best, while the latter is known for reliable moisturizers and makeup removers crafted from carefully balanced formulas that suit balanced skin best. Both offer standout products for acne-prone skin, skin with dark spots, and mature skin. Ultimately, the brands differ in their ingredient focus and regional origins, providing tailored options for diverse skincare needs.

COSRX is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2013 and owned by Amorepacific Group since 2024.

koreajoongangdaily.combeautymatter.comprnewswire.com

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

Popular COSRX vs MAC products

People Say

COSRXMAC
  • Deep hydration and moisture Mostly 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”
    • “skin drinks it up — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
  • Skin texture improvement Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “gives me that glass skin look — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “skin feels softer immediately — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
    • “Reduces appearance of pores — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “petal-soft skin — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Excellent makeup base and primer Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “foundation glides on — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Sits beautifully under makeup — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Lightweight and fast-absorbing texture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “absorbs instantly like water — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
    • “sinks in immediately — COSRX Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream”
    • “absorbs practically immediately — COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)”
    • “Emulsifies beautifully and rinses off without a greasy film. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Soothing and calming Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “No stinging or irritation — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “perfect for first-time retinol users — COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
    • “calms down my redness — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
  • Effective acne and pore control Often MentionedNot noted
    • “helped to improve my acne after only 2 weeks — COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser”
    • “cleared up my spots — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
    • “Melted blackheads right off — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
  • Price per value and high price point Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive for me — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Caused breakouts and acne Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “too slimy and sticky — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “gave me fungal acne — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “caused acne — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Breaks me out, I got pimples from this. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Drying for dry skin Often MentionedNot noted
    • “left my face tight — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”

Questions and answers

COSRX or MAC: which is better?

COSRX is better for acne control and soothing care, whereas MAC is favored for makeup bases and primers. Hyaluronic acid helps provide deep moisture and skin repair.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Drug Delivery, 2017

What is the difference between COSRX and MAC?

COSRX excels with lightweight, soothing, and acne-controlling products that fit oily and sensitive skin best, whereas MAC is known mainly for makeup bases and primers. COSRX products on this page are mostly fragrance-free, while MAC products all feature fragrance and tend to have a higher price point.

COSRX or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

COSRX is better for moisturizers because it offers a wide range of options like the Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream with Superior fits for sensitive and dry sensitive skin, whereas MAC has fewer moisturizer choices. Hyaluronic acid helps improve skin hydration and moisture.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Drug Delivery, 2017

Which is more affordable, COSRX or MAC?

COSRX is more affordable, whereas MAC has a high price point.

Which causes fewer breakouts, COSRX or MAC?

COSRX is more likely to cause fewer breakouts, as review themes note that COSRX does better for effective acne and pore control. Both brands are equal regarding causing breakouts and acne.

How do the founding years and home countries of COSRX and MAC compare?

COSRX was founded in 2013 in South Korea, whereas MAC started earlier in 1984 in Canada. These different origins reflect their distinct roots in Asian skincare innovation versus North American makeup heritage.

Which brand has a higher percentage of fragrance-free products, COSRX or MAC?

COSRX has a much higher percentage of fragrance-free products than MAC, with 37 out of 38 products on this page listing no fragrance, compared to none of the MAC products.

What are the main skin types that COSRX is designed to fit best according to its brand-focused routines?

COSRX is designed to fit best on oily skin, sensitive skin, and dry sensitive skin according to its brand-focused routines.

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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