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SK-II vs MAC

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

SK-II and MAC are distinguished beauty houses that offer distinct paths to daily radiance. The Japanese skincare brand known as SK-II relies on pitera to anchor its luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, soothing masks, and refreshing toners, which suit dry skin and combination skin best. Meanwhile, the Canadian skincare brand known as MAC provides reliable moisturizers and makeup removers crafted from carefully balanced formulas to suit balanced skin best. While both cater to various complexions through targeted solutions like options for acne-prone skin, skin with dark spots, and mature skin, they differ in their foundational ingredients and overall nourishing approaches.

SK-II is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1980 and owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991.

en.wikipedia.orgdiscoversk-ii.wixsite.comglossy.co

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

Popular SK-II vs MAC products

People Say

SK-IIMAC
  • Lightweight absorption and texture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “absorbs quickly — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Absorbs in a snap — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “Emulsifies beautifully and rinses off without a greasy film. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Radiance and glow Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “gives a glass skin look — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “leaves me with a red carpet glow — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “My skin is glowing now. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
    • “lit-from-within look — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Hydration and balance Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “skin feels deeply hydrated, plump, and smoother — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “Leaves skin soft, feels moisturized, does not dry out skin. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
    • “Leaves skin feeling soft and supple, never tight. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Excellent makeup base Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “foundation glides on — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Sits beautifully under makeup — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Improves skin texture Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “skin feels soft as butter — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Removes leftover dirt — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “petal-soft skin — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Effective makeup removal Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Removes waterproof mascara completely without needing a separate remover. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “Dissolves waterproof mascara, melts stubborn makeup, removes sunscreen easily. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
  • High price Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “A bit expensive — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “It is expensive - very expensive. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Unpleasant scent or fragrance Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “smells slightly like saliva — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “scent is overpowering — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Has a scent that might irritate very sensitive noses. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Lack of results Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Don't expect miracles — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Breakouts and purging Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “caused tiny red bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Small bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “did break out some while adjusting — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “caused acne — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”

Questions and answers

SK-II or MAC: which is better?

SK-II helps provide better hydration and balance, while MAC is noted for lightweight absorption and texture. Lovi rates SK-II as a High fit for dry and combination skin types.

What is the difference between SK-II and MAC?

SK-II stands out on this page for delivering radiance, hydration, and improved texture with fragrance-free formulas centered around Pitera, whereas MAC products on this page often feature added fragrance and excel primarily as makeup bases and lightweight moisturizers.

SK-II or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

For moisturizers, SK-II works well for dry and mature skin with High Lovi fit levels across multiple products, while MAC offers options like Mineralize Timecheck Lotion that also achieve a High fit for dry and sensitive skin. Reviewers note that MAC moisturizers provide lightweight absorption and texture, whereas SK-II focuses on hydration and balance using Pitera with no added fragrance across its range.

Which is more affordable, SK-II or MAC?

MAC is noted for having a high price point among the products on this page. SK-II is not mentioned as having high price issues.

Which causes fewer breakouts, SK-II or MAC?

MAC is associated with fewer breakouts than SK-II, as breakouts and purging are noted as a negative review theme for SK-II.

Between SK-II and MAC, which brand includes fragrance in its products?

MAC includes fragrance in its products, as none of the three products on its page list being fragrance-free. In contrast, every product on the SK-II page lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Which brand is better for improving skin texture, SK-II or MAC?

SK-II is better for improving skin texture than MAC. Review themes show that the products on this page by SK-II outperform MAC in improving skin texture.

Do SK-II or MAC products work better as an excellent makeup base?

MAC products work better as an excellent makeup base, as shoppers frequently highlight their makeup bases and primers.

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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