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Pixi vs MAC

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

Pixi and MAC are distinct beauty brands known for thoughtful daily skincare, with the British brand founded in 1999 and the Canadian brand founded in 1984. Pixi is beloved for its toners, serums, eye products, and moisturizers that suit dry skin and oily skin best, while MAC offers reliable moisturizers and makeup removers that suit balanced skin best. Both feature targeted standout products for acne-prone skin, skin with dark spots, and mature skin. They differ primarily in their formulation focus and ideal skin types, offering reliable support for a healthy, radiant complexion.

Pixi is a British skincare brand founded in 1999.

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

Popular Pixi vs MAC products

People Say

PixiMAC
  • 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”
    • “Instant surge of hydration — Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist”
  • Radiance and Glow Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “gives instant glow — Pixi Glow Tonic”
    • “instantly cooling upon application — Pixi DetoxifEYE Depuffing Eye Patches”
    • “Skin is noticeably brighter — Pixi Glow Peel Pads”
    • “lit-from-within look — 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”
    • “Reduces appearance of pores — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Lightweight Texture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Absorbs quickly — Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist”
    • “unique gel-like texture — Pixi Antioxidant Tonic”
    • “Emulsifies beautifully and rinses off without a greasy film. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Gentle Exfoliation and Texture Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Skin feels incredible, so smooth — Pixi Glow Peel Pads”
    • “doesn't sting — Pixi Glow Tonic”
    • “forehead bumps gone — Pixi Glow Tonic”
    • “petal-soft skin — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Soothing and Calming Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “calms my redness instantly — Pixi Rose Tonic”
    • “Gentle enough for regular use — Pixi Retinol Tonic”
    • “knocks my redness down — Pixi Antioxidant Tonic”
    • “Does not cause breakouts — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Price and Value Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Bottle is too small — Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist”
    • “Slight downside is the price — Pixi Glow Peel Pads”
    • “bottle is very small — Pixi Rose Oil Blend”
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Fragrance and Scent Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “smell is overpowering — Pixi Glow Tonic”
    • “Scent is too strong — Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist”
    • “scent is overpowering — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Has a scent that might irritate very sensitive noses. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Application and Packaging Issues Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Felt sticky to me — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “slippery and won't stay put — Pixi DetoxifEYE Depuffing Eye Patches”

Questions and answers

Pixi or MAC: which is better?

Pixi is better for radiance, gentle exfoliation, and a lower price point among the products on this page, while MAC does better for hydration and makeup bases. For dry skin, Lovi rates Pixi's Rose Oil Blend as High.

What is the difference between Pixi and MAC?

Pixi offers a wide range of toners and serums that help provide radiance and gentle exfoliation, while MAC features lightweight moisturizers and cleansing oils that perform well as makeup bases. Lovi finds that Pixi fits dry, oily, and sensitive skin best through its brand-focused routines, and reviewers note that MAC has a higher price point.

Pixi or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

For a moisturizer, Pixi provides a High Lovi fit for dry skin with its Rose Oil Blend. Reviewers note that the products on this page offer deep hydration and radiance, while aloe vera helps soothe the skin.

Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences, 2019

Which is more affordable, Pixi or MAC?

Pixi is more affordable than MAC, as MAC has a high price point. Reviewers note price and value as an advantage for Pixi.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Pixi or MAC?

When it comes to breakout prevention, Pixi may offer better options since the products on this page include a wider selection with superior ratings for acne-prone skin.

Which brand has been around longer, Pixi or MAC?

MAC has been around longer, having been founded in Canada in 1984, whereas Pixi was founded in the United Kingdom in 1999.

Which brand includes products with fragrance, Pixi or MAC?

Both brands include products with fragrance on this page. Pixi features fragrance in 3 of its 10 products, such as Glow Tonic, while MAC includes fragrance in all 3 of its listed products.

What are the key ingredients found across Pixi's products?

The key ingredients found across Pixi's products on this page are aloe vera and hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid helps improve skin hydration and wound healing.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences, 2019

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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