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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 houses, with the French skincare brand founded in 1977 and owned by Jean-Noël Thorel Foundation since 2018, and the Canadian skincare brand founded in 1984 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 1994. Bioderma is known for its moisturizers, makeup removers, serums, cleansers, and more, anchored by nourishing glycerin, while MAC is beloved for its thoughtful approach to daily skincare, offering reliable moisturizers and makeup removers crafted from carefully balanced formulas. The former suits sensitive skin and acne-prone skin best, gently addressing reactivity with high-tolerance formulations, whereas the latter suits balanced skin best, supported by gentle and effective ingredients. They differ in their core focus, as the French house delivers key ingredients that improve skin hydration and restore barrier function, while the Canadian brand provides a calm and measured foundation for daily maintenance.

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.

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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

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 generally better for gentle, soothing care, featuring key ingredients like glycerin to help maintain skin comfort. Reviewers note that Bioderma fits sensitive, acne-prone, and dry skin particularly well, whereas MAC is recognized for makeup bases and primers.

What is the difference between Bioderma and MAC?

Bioderma is best suited for sensitive, acne-prone, and dry skin, while MAC focuses on makeup bases, primers, and lightweight moisturizers. Glycerin helps provide hydration across the products on this page.

Bioderma or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

Bioderma offers soothing and barrier-repairing moisturizers that reviewers mostly mention, while MAC provides lightweight moisturizers. Bioderma fits best on sensitive skin, acne-prone skin, and dry skin.

Which is more affordable, Bioderma or MAC?

Bioderma may be more affordable than MAC, though reviewers note high price point and value concerns for both brands on the products on this page.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Bioderma or MAC?

Bioderma does better with skin irritation and breakouts compared to MAC. The products on this page for Bioderma fit acne-prone skin best, whereas MAC reviewers often note skin irritation and breakouts.

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

Bioderma was founded in France in 1977 and has been owned by the Jean-Noël Thorel Foundation since 2018. In comparison, MAC was founded in Canada in 1984 and has been owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 1994.

Which brand has more fragrance-free products listed on the page, Bioderma or MAC?

Bioderma has more fragrance-free products listed on the products on this page, with 9 out of 20 products listing no fragrance, while MAC has 0 out of 3 fragrance-free products.

What are the recommended morning, evening, and weekly skincare routine steps for dry skin using Bioderma products?

For dry skin using Bioderma products on this page, the morning routine recommends Atoderm Huile de Douche as a cleanser, Hydrabio Serum as a hydrating toner, Atoderm Crème Ultra as a moisturizer, and Botanical Lotion SPF 30. The evening routine suggests Sensibio Micellar Cleansing Oil as a pre-cleanser, Atoderm Huile de Douche, Pigmentbio Sensitive Areas as a serum or treatment, and Atoderm Crème Ultra, while the weekly routine adds a Vita Essential Mask to these same evening steps.

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

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