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The Ordinary vs MAC

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

The Ordinary and MAC are Canadian skincare brands owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. The Ordinary offers serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and toners built around hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, while MAC is beloved for reliable moisturizers and makeup removers crafted from carefully balanced formulas. The former brand fits dry skin and sensitive skin best, whereas the latter suits balanced skin supported by gentle and effective ingredients. They differ because both approach daily maintenance through distinct formulations designed for specific complexions and targeted concerns.

The Ordinary is a Canadian skincare brand founded in 2016 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 2021.

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

Popular The Ordinary vs MAC products

People Say

The OrdinaryMAC
  • Hydration and plumping Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “absorbs quickly — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Absorbs in a snap — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “Emulsifies beautifully and rinses off without a greasy film. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “skin feels immediately hydrated — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • Skin texture smoothing and improvement Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “glass skin effect — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
    • “eliminated armpit odor — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
    • “Reduces appearance of pores — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “petal-soft skin — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Makeup compatibility Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “foundation glides on — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Sits beautifully under makeup — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “Makeup sits beautifully on top — The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA”
  • Great value and price Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “lasts forever — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
    • “can't beat the price — The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution”
    • “extremely affordable — The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%”
  • Gentle and non-irritating 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”
    • “Finally a cleanser that doesn't sting my face. — The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser”
  • Clearing acne and fading spots Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “pimples disappear within a day — The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution”
    • “scars and hormonal acne faded — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
    • “faded dark spots — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
  • Pricey or high price point Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Expensive for Ordinary — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Stinging and irritation Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “caused acne — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Stings if it accidentally gets into the eyes. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “irritated AF the next day — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
  • Unpleasant scent Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Smells like vinegar — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
    • “smell is unbearable — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
    • “has a slight chemical smell — The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA”
    • “scent is overpowering — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or MAC: which is better?

The products on this page from The Ordinary provide better value and excel at clearing acne and fading dark spots, while MAC is praised more for hydration, makeup compatibility, and lightweight moisturizers.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and MAC?

The Ordinary offers great value and effective serums for clearing acne and fading dark spots, while MAC is known for lightweight moisturizers, makeup bases, and hydration and plumping benefits. Lovi rates The Ordinary best for dry skin, sensitive skin, and skin with dark spots, whereas MAC products on this page contain fragrance and may cause sensitivity.

The Ordinary or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

When it comes to moisturizers, The Ordinary offers better value with fragrance-free options like Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA, whereas MAC features lightweight formulas such as Mineralize Timecheck Lotion that may carry a stronger fragrance.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or MAC?

The Ordinary offers much greater affordability and value across the products on this page compared to MAC, which reviewers frequently note has a high price point.

Which causes fewer breakouts, The Ordinary or MAC?

The Ordinary does better for clearing acne and fading spots, while the products on this page help with acne-clearing serums.

Which brand has more fragrance-free products, The Ordinary or MAC?

The Ordinary offers more fragrance-free products, as every product on its page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas none of the products on the MAC page are fragrance-free.

Which brand was founded earlier, The Ordinary or MAC?

MAC was founded earlier in 1984, while The Ordinary was founded later in 2016.

What are the main complaints reviewers have about The Ordinary compared to MAC?

Reviewers commonly find that The Ordinary has a higher price point disadvantage and an unpleasant scent compared to MAC, while also noting issues like sticky finishes and pilling on the products on this page.

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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