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NIVEA vs MAC

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

NIVEA and MAC are two established skincare names, with the German brand founded in 1911 and the Canadian counterpart established in 1984. NIVEA is deeply loved for its versatile sunscreens, targeted serums, and nourishing moisturizers formulated with glycerin, suiting sensitive and oily skin best. Meanwhile, the second brand is beloved for its reliable daily moisturizers and makeup removers crafted from carefully balanced formulas, suiting balanced skin best. While both offer standout solutions for acne-prone skin, dark spots, and mature concerns, they differ in their heritage, ownership, and core ingredient approaches.

NIVEA is a German skincare brand founded in 1911 and owned by maxingvest GmbH & Co. KGaA since 2004.

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

Popular NIVEA vs MAC products

People Say

NIVEAMAC
  • Deep hydration Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Smoothed out dry flaky scales on my cheeks overnight — NIVEA Creme”
    • “It's lightweight on the skin and leaves a bit of subtle sheen. — NIVEA Soft”
    • “absorbs quickly — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Absorbs in a snap — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Skin softening and smoothing Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Makes my face feel smooth and soft. — NIVEA Soft”
    • “skin feels squeaky clean and soft — NIVEA DERMA SKIN CLEAR”
    • “skin feels smooth — NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub”
    • “petal-soft skin — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Makeup base and primer Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “foundation glides on — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Sits beautifully under makeup — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Non-drying formula Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “doesn't dry out skin — NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub”
    • “doesn't leave skin dry or stretched — NIVEA DERMA SKIN CLEAR”
    • “Leaves skin feeling soft and supple, never tight. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Effective cleansing Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Removes waterproof mascara completely without needing a separate remover. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “unclogs pores — NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub”
  • Good value Often MentionedNot noted
    • “Works better than expensive luxury creams — NIVEA Creme”
    • “Best affordable vegan moisturizer. — NIVEA Soft”
    • “absolute steal for the price — NIVEA DERMA SKIN CLEAR”
  • High price point Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Causes breakouts Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Clogged my pores and caused bad acne — NIVEA Creme”
    • “I noticed some acne breakouts on my chin after using this crème for a while. — NIVEA Soft”
    • “Don't expect miracles — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Strong fragrance Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Scent is too overpowering for sensitive noses — NIVEA Creme”
    • “Has a heavy, baby powder smell. — NIVEA Soft”
    • “smell is too strong — NIVEA Protect & Moisture Sun Lotion SPF50+”
    • “scent is overpowering — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”

Questions and answers

NIVEA or MAC: which is better?

NIVEA offers better value and skin softening, while MAC excels as a makeup base and primer. Glycerin helps provide deep hydration across the products on this page.

What is the difference between NIVEA and MAC?

NIVEA offers products on this page that provide good value and skin softening and smoothing, whereas MAC offers better options for a makeup base and primer as well as effective cleansing. Glycerin helps provide deep hydration across the products on this page.

NIVEA or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

For moisturizers on this page, NIVEA offers a high fit for dry and dry sensitive skin with products like Creme, while MAC provides a high fit for dry and dry sensitive skin with Mineralize Timecheck Lotion. Glycerin helps provide deep hydration across the products on this page.

Which is more affordable, NIVEA or MAC?

When it comes to value, NIVEA offers good value for the products on this page, whereas MAC has a high price point that reviewers often note. Glycerin helps provide hydration in these formulas.

Which causes fewer breakouts, NIVEA or MAC?

MAC causes fewer breakouts, whereas the products on this page for NIVEA are sometimes noted by reviewers to cause breakouts and acne.

How do the founding years and corporate ownerships of NIVEA and MAC compare?

NIVEA was founded in 1911 in Germany and has been owned by maxingvest GmbH & Co. KGaA since 2004, whereas MAC was founded in 1984 in Canada and has been owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 1994.

Which brand performs better for skin softening and smoothing according to the review themes?

NIVEA performs better for skin softening and smoothing according to the review themes.

How many products from each brand list no fragrance on this page?

On this page, 3 of 9 NIVEA products and 0 of 3 MAC 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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