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Elemis vs MAC

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

Elemis and MAC are distinct beauty brands, with the British company founded in 1989 and the Canadian creator established in 1984. Elemis is celebrated for nourishing serums, rich moisturizers, gentle cleansers, and refining toners featuring glycerin and shea, making it best for dry and mature skin. Meanwhile, the brand beloved for daily skincare offers reliable moisturizers and makeup removers that suit balanced skin best. While both provide targeted solutions for acne-prone skin, dark spots, and mature concerns, they differ fundamentally in their ingredient focus and ideal skin types.

Elemis is a British skincare brand founded in 1989 and owned by L'Occitane Group since 2019.

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

Popular Elemis vs MAC products

People Say

ElemisMAC
  • 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”
    • “The cream really hydrates and my face looks amazing. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream”
  • Texture and Absorption Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Absorbs almost immediately, and my skin feels well hydrated all day. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “whipped silk feel — Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial”
    • “Emulsifies beautifully and rinses off without a greasy film. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Makeup Base and Primer Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “foundation glides on — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Sits beautifully under makeup — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “Sits nicely under make up... perfect base. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Sensitive Skin Care Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Does not cause breakouts — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “Doesn't sting my eyes or blur my vision. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “no stinging or redness — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
  • Makeup Removal Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Removes waterproof mascara completely without needing a separate remover. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “melts waterproof mascara — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
  • Anti-Aging and Firming Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Reduces appearance of pores — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “My neck doesn't sag... plumps my skin to look more youthful. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream”
  • Price and Value Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Complete waste of money for me. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “very expensive — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “A bit expensive — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Strong Scent and Fragrance Issues Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “scent is overpowering — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “The smell is very strong... could not handle for long. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Miscellaneous Complaints Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “didn't see a difference — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “tends to flake off — Elemis Pro-Collagen Eye Revive Mask”
    • “Don't expect miracles — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “contains glitter — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”

Questions and answers

Elemis or MAC: which is better?

Elemis is better for texture and absorption, while MAC does better for hydration, sensitive skin care, and makeup removal. Reviewers mostly mention that Elemis offers hydrating moisturizers, whereas MAC is known for makeup bases and primers.

What is the difference between Elemis and MAC?

Elemis is best for dry, mature, and dry-sensitive skin with a focus on hydration and smoother texture, whereas MAC tends to perform better for sensitive skin care, makeup bases, and makeup removal. Glycerin helps provide moisture across the products on this page.

Elemis or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

Elemis features a wider range of moisturizers with hydrating and nourishing benefits, whereas MAC offers options like the Hyper Real Serumizer and Mineralize Timecheck Lotion that may work well for lightweight hydration. Reviewers note that the products on this page for Elemis help provide smoother skin texture and deep moisture.

Which is more affordable, Elemis or MAC?

Elemis and MAC are equal in price and value, as both brands feature products with high price points that are frequently noted by reviewers.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Elemis or MAC?

MAC is unlikely to be better for avoiding breakouts, as the products on this page do not focus on acne prevention for either brand. Glycerin helps maintain the skin barrier across the formulas.

Which brand has been around longer and where were they founded, Elemis or MAC?

Elemis has been around longer, having been founded in the United Kingdom in 1989, whereas MAC was founded in Canada in 1984.

How many products do Elemis and MAC have listed on the page that contain fragrance?

Elemis has 18 out of 22 products listed on the page that contain fragrance, while MAC has all 3 of its listed products containing fragrance.

Which brand does better for hydration and moisture according to the review themes?

MAC does better for hydration and moisture according to the review themes. Reviewers mention that the products on this page help provide good hydration.

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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