Galderma vs MAC
Galderma and MAC are distinct skincare houses established in Switzerland and Canada during the early 1980s. The Swiss brand specializes in targeted serums featuring ingredients like benzoyl peroxide, suiting oily and acne-prone skin best, whereas the Canadian brand is beloved for its thoughtful moisturizers and makeup removers crafted with gentle, balanced formulas for balanced skin. While the former focuses on specialized treatments such as Epiduo Gel and Benzac AC for specific concerns, the latter offers reliable daily maintenance through items like the Mineralize Timecheck Lotion and Hyper Real series. Ultimately, choosing between them depends on whether your routine requires intensive acne care or measured everyday hydration.
Galderma is a Swiss skincare brand founded in 1981 and owned by Galderma Group AG.
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 Galderma and MAC products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Galderma vs MAC products
People Say
Acne Clearance and Breakout Prevention Mostly MentionedNot noted
- “cleared up my skin — Galderma Benzac AC Mild Strength 2.5% Acne Gel”
- “cystic acne gone — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
- “stops new pimples — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
Makeup Base and Primer Not 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”
Lightweight Hydration and Soft Skin Not notedMostly Mentioned
- “absorbs quickly — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
- “Absorbs in a snap — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
- “petal-soft skin — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
Redness Reduction and Scar Fading Often MentionedNot noted
- “scars are fading — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
- “angry redness tones down — Galderma Benzac AC 5”
Severe Dryness and Peeling Mostly MentionedNot noted
- “skin flaking off — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
High Price Point Not notedMostly Mentioned
- “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
Intense Burning and Stinging Mostly MentionedNot noted
- “face on fire — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
Initial Purging and Breakouts Mostly MentionedNot noted
- “got worse first — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
Questions and answers
Galderma or MAC: which is better?
Galderma is better for clearing acne and breakouts with its effective serums, whereas MAC is better for lightweight hydration, makeup bases, and primers. Lovi gives Galderma a High fit for oily and acne-prone skin types, while MAC gets a High fit for dry and sensitive skin across several of the products on this page.
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, 2021
What is the difference between Galderma and MAC?
Galderma is best for acne clearance and redness reduction through products on this page that feature benzoyl peroxide, though reviewers note they may cause severe dryness and peeling. MAC is better for lightweight hydration, makeup bases, and primers, though its products on this page often contain fragrance and carry a high price point.
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, 2021
Which is more affordable, Galderma or MAC?
MAC has a higher price point, making Galderma the more affordable option for shoppers.
Which causes fewer breakouts, Galderma or MAC?
Galderma does better at acne clearance and breakout prevention, making it the more effective choice for managing breakouts. The products on this page help clear acne, though users may experience severe dryness, peeling, and irritation.
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, 2021
Which brand has products that are entirely fragrance-free, Galderma or MAC?
Galderma has products on this page that are entirely fragrance-free, whereas every product from MAC lists fragrance.
How do the founding years and countries of origin compare between Galderma and MAC?
Galderma was founded in 1981 in Switzerland, whereas MAC was founded in 1984 in Canada.
Which brand is better suited for oily acne-prone skin according to their Lovi fit levels?
Galderma is better suited for oily acne-prone skin, as the products on this page achieve a High Lovi fit level for this skin type.
Research behind their key ingredients
The effect of niacinamide on reducing cutaneous pigmentation and suppression of melanosome transfer
Effect of Camellia japonica oil on human type I procollagen production and skin barrier function
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.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.
