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Olay vs MAC

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

Olay and MAC are two distinct skincare lines known for offering reliable daily essentials crafted from carefully balanced formulas. Olay is warmly loved for its targeted moisturizers, eye products, serums, and cleansers pairing niacinamide and glycerin, while the Canadian brand known as MAC is beloved for its thoughtful approach featuring reliable moisturizers and makeup removers. The former suits acne-prone skin and mature skin best with gentle care, whereas the latter suits balanced skin best, supported by gentle and effective ingredients. Ultimately, both brands differ as the first focuses on specialized care for complex needs with key ingredients like niacinamide and glycerin, while the second provides a calm and measured foundation for daily maintenance.

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

Popular Olay vs MAC products

People Say

OlayMAC
  • Skin Texture and Smoothness Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “skin feels baby soft — Olay Retinol24”
    • “Skin feels like silk — Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer”
    • “hydrates the skin — Olay Advanced Eye Cream”
    • “Reduces appearance of pores — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Hydration and Moisture Often 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”
    • “Instantly smoother, softer, and more hydrated — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
  • Makeup Compatibility Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “foundation glides on — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Sits beautifully under makeup — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “absorbs instantly — Olay Eye Lifting Serum”
  • Radiance and Brightening Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “iridescent glow — Olay Super Serum”
    • “hides dark shadows — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
    • “skin looks brighter — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
    • “lit-from-within look — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Absorption and Feel Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “sinks in quickly — Olay Super Serum”
    • “absorbs quickly — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
    • “absorbs instantly — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
  • Gentle Formulas 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”
    • “tiny beads aren't harsh — Olay Regenerating Cream Cleanser”
  • Price Point and Cost Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive for drugstore — Olay Super Serum”
    • “expensive — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
    • “small quantity (0.5 oz) — Olay Eye Lifting Serum”
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Fragrance and Scent Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Fragrance can be an irritant — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
    • “floral scent — Olay Super Serum”
    • “smells like plastic — Olay Retinol24”
    • “scent is overpowering — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Skin Irritation and Breakouts Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “caused cystic acne — Olay Retinol24”
    • “Caused breakouts — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
    • “caused acne — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Breaks me out, I got pimples from this. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”

Questions and answers

Olay or MAC: which is better?

Olay is better for improving skin texture and boosting radiance with the products on this page, while MAC excels in providing lightweight moisturization and excellent makeup bases. Niacinamide helps reduce pigmentation and skin aging, and hyaluronic acid improves skin hydration.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

What is the difference between Olay and MAC?

Olay offers a much larger skincare range than MAC and does better for skin texture and smoothness, radiance and brightening, and absorption and feel, while MAC stands out for hydration and moisture, makeup compatibility, and acting as a makeup base and primer. The products on this page from Olay also feature mostly fragrance-free options, whereas all MAC products on this page contain fragrance.

Olay or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

Olay offers a much wider range of moisturizers with higher Lovi fit levels for various skin types compared to MAC. The products on this page help improve skin texture and hydration using key ingredients like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, Olay or MAC?

Olay is more affordable than MAC. Reviewers on the products on this page note that MAC has a high price point.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Olay or MAC?

Skin irritation and breakouts are equal between Olay and MAC.

Between Olay and MAC, which brand offers more fragrance-free skincare products?

Olay offers significantly more fragrance-free products, as 26 of the 27 products on this page list no fragrance, whereas all MAC products on this page include fragrance.

How do the founding years and corporate parent companies of Olay and MAC compare?

Olay was founded in 1952 and is owned by The Procter & Gamble Company, while MAC was founded in 1984 in Canada and is owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.

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

According to review themes, MAC performs better for hydration and moisture. The products on this page help deliver lightweight moisture, though they come at a high price point.

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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