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Dermalogica vs MAC

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

Dermalogica and MAC are renowned cosmetics and beauty brands that cater to distinct daily routines. Dermalogica is an American skincare brand founded in 1986 and owned by Unilever since 2015, featuring targeted serums, nourishing moisturizers, gentle cleansers, purifying masks, and more with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and salicylic acid. Its products suit oily skin and combination skin best because their active formulations balance excess oil and moisture. Meanwhile, MAC is a Canadian skincare brand founded in 1984 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 1994, beloved for reliable moisturizers and makeup removers crafted from carefully balanced formulas. Its products suit balanced skin best, supported by gentle and effective ingredients, differing from the active formulations of the other brand.

Dermalogica is an American skincare brand founded in 1986 and owned by Unilever since 2015.

en.wikipedia.orgcosmeticsbusiness.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 Dermalogica and MAC products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Dermalogica vs MAC products

People Say

DermalogicaMAC
  • Makeup Compatibility and Primer Rarely 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”
    • “layers well under makeup — Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50”
  • Deep and Intense Hydration Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Saved my dry skin — Dermalogica Super Rich Repair”
    • “super hydrating — Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque”
    • “skin feels hydrated — Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance”
    • “Leaves skin feeling soft and supple, never tight. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Non-Greasy Absorption Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “blends seamlessly — Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50”
    • “Absorbs quickly... not greasy — Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream”
    • “feels like nothing — Dermalogica Active Moist”
    • “Emulsifies beautifully and rinses off without a greasy film. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Lightweight Hydration Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “absorbs quickly — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Absorbs in a snap — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Brightening and Radiance Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “lit-from-within look — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “immediately brighter looking — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
  • Makeup Dissolving and Removal Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Removes waterproof mascara completely without needing a separate remover. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “Removes stubborn mascara — Dermalogica Precleanse”
  • High Price Point Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “hefty price tag — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “Expensive for cleanser — Dermalogica Precleanse”
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “A bit expensive — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Unpleasant Scent and Fragrance Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like puke — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “smells like medicine — Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50”
    • “scent is overpowering — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Has a scent that might irritate very sensitive noses. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Skin Irritation and Reactions Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “caused acne — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Stings if it accidentally gets into the eyes. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “Stings eyes — Dermalogica Precleanse”

Questions and answers

Dermalogica or MAC: which is better?

Dermalogica provides deeper hydration and better non-greasy absorption across the products on this page, whereas MAC does better with makeup compatibility and primers. Every product on Dermalogica's page lists no fragrance, while all of MAC's products contain fragrance and may cause skin sensitivity.

What is the difference between Dermalogica and MAC?

Dermalogica provides deep, intense hydration and non-greasy absorption with fragrance-free formulas, whereas MAC features lightweight hydration, makeup bases, and primers, though its products contain fragrance.

Dermalogica or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

Dermalogica offers a wider selection of moisturizers on this page compared to MAC, with options like Stabilizing Repair Cream achieving a Superior fit for dry and sensitive skin. Reviewers note that Dermalogica focuses on intense, non-greasy hydration, whereas MAC moisturizers provide lightweight hydration but often contain fragrance.

Which is more affordable, Dermalogica or MAC?

Both Dermalogica and MAC share a high price point as a common drawback according to reviewers, meaning neither brand is notably more affordable than the other.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Dermalogica or MAC?

Dermalogica is generally better at avoiding breakouts than MAC, as reviewing users more frequently note skin irritation and adverse reactions with MAC.

Which brand has more fragrance-free skincare products, Dermalogica or MAC?

Dermalogica has more fragrance-free skincare products, as every product on its page lists no fragrance in its ingredients compared to MAC, where all 3 products contain fragrance.

How do Dermalogica and MAC compare in terms of makeup compatibility and primer performance?

MAC does better than Dermalogica for makeup compatibility and primer performance. Reviewers mostly mention MAC for its strong makeup bases and primers.

Which brand offers better deep hydration and non-greasy absorption, Dermalogica or MAC?

Dermalogica offers better deep hydration and non-greasy absorption compared to MAC, as reviewers frequently mention its intense hydration and non-greasy moisturizers.

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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