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Neutrogena vs MAC

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

Neutrogena and MAC are trusted skincare brands that offer thoughtful selections of daily essentials. The American brand is known for moisturizers, sunscreens, cleansers, and toners featuring glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and dimethicone, which suit sensitive and mature skin best. Meanwhile, the Canadian brand is known for reliable moisturizers and makeup removers crafted from balanced formulas that suit balanced skin best. Both brands differ in their founding history, corporate ownership, and specific ingredients, yet each provides a calm foundation for targeted skincare concerns.

Neutrogena is an American skincare brand founded in 1930 and owned by Kimberly-Clark Corporation since 2026.

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

Popular Neutrogena vs MAC products

People Say

NeutrogenaMAC
  • Lightweight hydration Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Absorbs instantly without sticky residue — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
    • “Skin looked plumper and radiant — Neutrogena HYDRO BOOST WATER CREAM”
    • “absorbs quickly — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Absorbs in a snap — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Makeup compatibility and primer Rarely 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”
    • “Works well under makeup — Neutrogena HYDRO BOOST WATER CREAM”
  • Gentle and fragrance-free formulas Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “leaves skin soft and balanced — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
    • “love that it has no scent — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
    • “calms my acne prone skin — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
    • “Does not cause breakouts — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Cleansing and makeup removal Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Removes waterproof mascara completely without needing a separate remover. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “Emulsifies beautifully and rinses off without a greasy film. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “Leaves skin feeling soft and supple, never tight. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “dissolves stubborn waterproof mascara — Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover”
  • Radiant glow and appearance Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “lit-from-within look — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “hasn't caused a single breakout — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
  • Anti-aging and skin texture Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Skin is looking smoother — Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream”
    • “Deep lines have softened — Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream”
    • “petal-soft skin — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Price and quantity value Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Jar is too small for the price — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
    • “Runs out quickly — Neutrogena HYDRO BOOST WATER CREAM”
    • “Tube is tiny for the cost — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Eye Gel-Cream”
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Insufficient moisture or efficacy Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Don't expect miracles — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “Felt sticky to me — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “leaves greasy film — Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover”
  • Skin and eye irritation Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “caused acne — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Stings if it accidentally gets into the eyes. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “burns my eyes terribly — Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen”
  • Fragrance and scent issues Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Smell is too overpowering and lingering — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
    • “Scent is so off-putting — Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream”
    • “has a weird plastic smell — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
    • “scent is overpowering — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”

Questions and answers

Neutrogena or MAC: which is better?

Neutrogena is better for gentle, fragrance-free formulas and value, while MAC performs better for makeup compatibility and cleansing. Lovi fit for Neutrogena is High for sensitive, mature, and dry skin, whereas MAC does not have a designated fit for these skin types.

What is the difference between Neutrogena and MAC?

Neutrogena is better for gentle and fragrance-free formulas, whereas MAC performs better for makeup compatibility, primer, and cleansing. Neutrogena fits best for sensitive, mature, and dry skin, and the products on this page mostly feature fragrance-free options, while MAC products on this page all contain fragrance.

Neutrogena or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

Neutrogena is better for moisturizers because the products on this page offer a High or Superior Lovi fit for dry skin and dry sensitive skin, whereas MAC products on this page only reach an Average fit for those skin types. Hyaluronic acid helps provide deep hydration, which reviewers mostly mention as a benefit for Neutrogena moisturizers.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, Neutrogena or MAC?

Neutrogena is more affordable, whereas MAC is noted for having a high price point across the products on this page.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Neutrogena or MAC?

Neutrogena is a better fit for acne-prone skin, as the products on this page include specialized options like the Daily Facial Moisturizer and Clear Face Liquid Lotion Sunscreen that reach a Superior Lovi fit level. In contrast, MAC only offers three products on this page, none of which achieve a Superior fit for acne-prone skin.

Between Neutrogena and MAC, which brand offers more fragrance-free products?

Neutrogena offers far more fragrance-free products than MAC on this page, with thirty-five of its thirty-nine products listing no fragrance compared to none of the three MAC products.

How do the founding years and parent companies of Neutrogena and MAC compare?

Neutrogena was founded in 1930 in the United States and has been owned by Kimberly-Clark Corporation since 2026. MAC was founded in 1984 in Canada and has been owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 1994.

Which brand has a wider variety of sunscreens listed on the page?

Neutrogena has a wider variety of sunscreens on this page, offering multiple options such as Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen and Clear Face Liquid Lotion Sunscreen, whereas MAC does not list any sunscreens.

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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