Bioderma vs MAC
Bioderma and MAC are distinct beauty brands that cater to different complexion needs through thoughtful formulations. The French skincare brand founded in 1977 offers nourishing moisturizers, makeup removers, serums, and cleansers crafted with glycerin, suiting dry and combination skin best. Conversely, the Canadian brand founded in 1984 provides reliable daily moisturizers and makeup removers that suit balanced skin best with gentle and effective ingredients. Ultimately, while both labels offer standout items for targeted concerns, they differ in their primary ingredient focus and the specific skin types they naturally accommodate.
Bioderma is a French skincare brand founded in 1977 and owned by Jean-Noël Thorel Foundation since 2018.
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 Bioderma and MAC products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Bioderma vs MAC products
People Say
Gentle and Non-Irritating Formula Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
- “doesn't sting my eyes — Bioderma Sensibio H2O”
- “melts every bit of make up and SPF off — Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Cleansing Oil”
- “doesn't cause any irritation — Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Cleansing Oil”
- “Emulsifies beautifully and rinses off without a greasy film. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
Makeup Base and Primer Qualities Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
- “foundation glides on — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
- “Sits beautifully under makeup — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
- “lit-from-within look — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
- “Keeps you shine free — Bioderma Sébium Pore Refiner”
Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “absorbs quickly — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
- “Absorbs in a snap — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
- “healed my dry skin — Bioderma Sébium Hydra”
Cleansing and Makeup Removal Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “feels like water — Bioderma Sensibio H2O”
- “I love that it's non-greasy and absorbs quickly. — Bioderma Pigmentbio Sensitive Areas”
- “Removes waterproof mascara completely without needing a separate remover. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
Price and Value Concerns Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
- “pricier than other brands — Bioderma Sensibio Gel Moussant”
- “finished too quickly — Bioderma Hydrabio Serum”
- “pricey for water — Bioderma Sensibio H2O”
- “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
Texture and Residue Issues Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “Don't expect miracles — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
- “Felt sticky to me — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
- “requires a thorough follow-up — Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Cleansing Oil”
Skin Irritation and Breakouts Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “caused acne — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
- “Breaks me out, I got pimples from this. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
- “Stings if it accidentally gets into the eyes. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
- “broke me out — Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Baume”
Questions and answers
Bioderma or MAC: which is better?
Bioderma is a better fit for dry skin, combination skin, and oily acne-prone skin, offering high-rated cleansers and barrier-repairing moisturizers. Reviewers note that Bioderma provides gentle, non-irritating formulas, whereas MAC products on this page often feature strong fragrance and sensitivity.
What is the difference between Bioderma and MAC?
Bioderma offers a wide selection of products on this page that tend to perform better for gentle and non-irritating formulas, whereas MAC features options that often focus on lightweight moisturizers and makeup bases. Reviewers note that Bioderma is particularly well-suited for dry, combination, and oily acne-prone skin types.
Bioderma or MAC: which moisturizer is better?
For moisturizers, Bioderma is better for soothing and barrier repair, while MAC stands out for lightweight hydration. The products on this page help support dry, combination, and oily acne-prone skin types.
Which is more affordable, Bioderma or MAC?
Reviewers note that MAC has a high price point, while Bioderma faces price and value concerns.
Which causes fewer breakouts, Bioderma or MAC?
Bioderma is better than MAC at avoiding breakouts, as skin irritation and breakouts are a known issue with MAC products on this page. Reviewers report that Bioderma provides gentle, non-irritating formulas.
How many products from Bioderma and MAC contain fragrance?
Among the products on this page, 11 out of 20 Bioderma products list fragrance, while all 3 MAC products contain fragrance.
When was Bioderma founded and who owns it?
Bioderma was founded in France in 1977 and is owned by the Jean-Noël Thorel Foundation since 2018.
What are some key ingredients found across Bioderma products?
Glycerin and golden seaweed are key ingredients found across the Bioderma products on this page.
Research behind their key ingredients
Effect of Camellia japonica oil on human type I procollagen production and skin barrier function
Hesperidin, Hesperetin, Rutinose, and Rhamnose Act as Skin Anti-Aging Agents
Development of Polymeric Micelles of Oleanolic Acid and Evaluation of Their Clinical Efficacy
Effect of topically applied lipids on surfactant-irritated skin
Self-Assembled Cubic Liquid Crystalline Nanoparticles for Transdermal Delivery of Paeonol
Potentially beneficial effects of rhamnose on skin ageing: an in vitro and in vivo study
Formulation strategies to modulate the topical delivery of anti-inflammatory compounds
Salicyloyl-phytosphingosine: a novel agent for the repair of photoaged skin
Interest in Micellar Solution to Reduce Unpleasant Skin Sensations
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.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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