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Elemis vs MAC

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

Elemis and MAC are distinct beauty brands, with the British company founded in 1989 and the Canadian creator established in 1984. Elemis is celebrated for nourishing serums, rich moisturizers, gentle cleansers, and refining toners featuring glycerin and shea, making it best for dry and mature skin. Meanwhile, the brand beloved for daily skincare offers reliable moisturizers and makeup removers that suit balanced skin best. While both provide targeted solutions for acne-prone skin, dark spots, and mature concerns, they differ fundamentally in their ingredient focus and ideal skin types.

Elemis is a British skincare brand founded in 1989 and owned by L'Occitane Group since 2019.

elemis.comau.elemis.comen.wikipedia.org

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

Popular Elemis vs MAC products

People Say

ElemisMAC
  • 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”
    • “The cream really hydrates and my face looks amazing. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream”
  • Texture and Absorption Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Absorbs almost immediately, and my skin feels well hydrated all day. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “whipped silk feel — Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial”
    • “Emulsifies beautifully and rinses off without a greasy film. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Makeup Base and Primer Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “foundation glides on — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Sits beautifully under makeup — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “Sits nicely under make up... perfect base. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Sensitive Skin Care 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”
    • “no stinging or redness — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
  • Makeup Removal Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Removes waterproof mascara completely without needing a separate remover. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “melts waterproof mascara — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
  • Anti-Aging and Firming Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Reduces appearance of pores — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “My neck doesn't sag... plumps my skin to look more youthful. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream”
  • Price and Value Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Complete waste of money for me. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “very expensive — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “A bit expensive — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Strong Scent and Fragrance Issues Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “scent is overpowering — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “The smell is very strong... could not handle for long. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Miscellaneous Complaints Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “didn't see a difference — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “tends to flake off — Elemis Pro-Collagen Eye Revive Mask”
    • “Don't expect miracles — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “contains glitter — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”

Questions and answers

Elemis or MAC: which is better?

Elemis fits dry skin, mature skin, and dry sensitive skin best, while MAC excels in hydration and moisture, makeup bases and primers, sensitive skin care, makeup removal, and anti-aging and firming according to review themes. Both brands are noted for a high price point.

What is the difference between Elemis and MAC?

Elemis fits dry skin and mature skin best, whereas MAC is noted by reviewers for being better for sensitive skin care and makeup removal. Both brands feature high price points.

Elemis or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

Elemis fits dry and mature skin best with products like the Pro-Collagen Marine Cream, while MAC offers moisturizers such as the Hyper Real Serumizer that help with lightweight hydration. Glycerin is a key ingredient across Elemis moisturizers that helps maintain skin moisture.

Which is more affordable, Elemis or MAC?

Elemis and MAC offer equal value, as reviewers note a high price point for both brands.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Elemis or MAC?

Neither brand has a dedicated breakout study or direct comparison on this page, but Elemis features products with High fit levels for acne-prone skin, such as the Papaya Enzyme Peel.

When was Elemis founded and who is its parent company?

Elemis was founded in 1989 in the United Kingdom. It is owned by the L'Occitane Group since 2019.

Which Elemis product has a Superior fit level for mature skin?

Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream has a Superior fit level for mature skin.

How many Elemis products on the page list no fragrance?

On the Elemis page, 4 of the 22 products list no 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?

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