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Bioderma vs MAC

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

Bioderma and MAC are distinct beauty brands originating from France and Canada, respectively. Bioderma is celebrated for its gentle moisturizers, soothing makeup removers, targeted serums, and purifying cleansers formulated with glycerin, suiting acne-prone and combination skin best. Conversely, MAC offers reliable daily moisturizers and makeup removers crafted from balanced formulas that suit balanced skin best. While both cater to daily maintenance with thoughtful ingredient profiles, the French brand focuses on restorative barrier support, whereas the Canadian brand provides a measured foundation for reliable routines.

Bioderma is a French skincare brand founded in 1977 and owned by Jean-Noël Thorel Foundation since 2018.

bioderma.usnaos.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 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

BiodermaMAC
  • 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 better for gentle, soothing care, featuring soothing and barrier-repairing moisturizers as well as gentle, non-irritating makeup removers on this page. Meanwhile, MAC does better for makeup base and primer qualities and hydration and moisture, though all 3 of its products on this page list fragrance.

What is the difference between Bioderma and MAC?

Bioderma offers a wider range of products focused on gentle cleansers and barrier-repairing moisturizers that fit acne-prone and combination skin best, whereas MAC features fewer items with makeup bases and lightweight moisturizers. Reviewers note that Bioderma is more gentle and non-irritating, while MAC is praised for makeup base and primer qualities but often criticized for strong fragrance and sensitivity.

Bioderma or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

Bioderma offers soothing and barrier-repairing moisturizers like Atoderm Intensive Baume, while MAC provides lightweight moisturizers like Hyper Real Serumizer. Reviewers note that MAC moisturizers may cause strong fragrance and sensitivity.

Which is more affordable, Bioderma or MAC?

Bioderma has higher price point and value concerns according to reviewers on this page, while MAC also has high price point concerns.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Bioderma or MAC?

Bioderma helps cause fewer breakouts, as review themes note that skin irritation and breakouts are an issue with MAC. Bioderma also features acne-prone skin as one of the skin types the brand fits best.

How do the founding years and corporate ownership of Bioderma and MAC compare?

Bioderma was founded in France in 1977 and is owned by the Jean-Noël Thorel Foundation, while MAC was founded in Canada in 1984 and is owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.

Which brand has more fragrance-free options among the products listed on the page?

Bioderma has more fragrance-free options among the products on this page, with 9 out of 20 listing no fragrance, while MAC includes fragrance in all 3 of its listed products.

How does the Lovi fit level of the Hyper Real Serumizer compare for dry skin versus oily skin?

For the products on this page, the Lovi fit level of the Hyper Real Serumizer is Average for both dry skin and oily skin.

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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