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COSRX vs MAC

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

COSRX and MAC are celebrated beauty brands that serve different daily routines through targeted, thoughtful formulations. The Korean brand is known for serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and masks using hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide to suit acne-prone and sensitive skin, while the Canadian brand offers reliable moisturizers and makeup removers crafted from carefully balanced formulas for balanced skin. Ultimately, the former focuses on restorative active ingredients for reactive complexions, whereas the latter provides a calm foundation for daily maintenance.

COSRX is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2013 and owned by Amorepacific Group since 2024.

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

Popular COSRX vs MAC products

People Say

COSRXMAC
  • Deep hydration and moisture Mostly 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”
    • “skin drinks it up — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
  • Skin texture improvement Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “gives me that glass skin look — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “skin feels softer immediately — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
    • “Reduces appearance of pores — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “petal-soft skin — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Excellent makeup base and primer Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “foundation glides on — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Sits beautifully under makeup — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Lightweight and fast-absorbing texture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “absorbs instantly like water — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
    • “sinks in immediately — COSRX Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream”
    • “absorbs practically immediately — COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)”
    • “Emulsifies beautifully and rinses off without a greasy film. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Soothing and calming Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “No stinging or irritation — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “perfect for first-time retinol users — COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
    • “calms down my redness — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
  • Effective acne and pore control Often MentionedNot noted
    • “helped to improve my acne after only 2 weeks — COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser”
    • “cleared up my spots — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
    • “Melted blackheads right off — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
  • Price per value and high price point Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive for me — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Caused breakouts and acne Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “too slimy and sticky — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “gave me fungal acne — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “caused acne — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Breaks me out, I got pimples from this. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Drying for dry skin Often MentionedNot noted
    • “left my face tight — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”

Questions and answers

COSRX or MAC: which is better?

COSRX is better for acne-prone, sensitive, and oily acne-prone skin, whereas MAC tends to excel with makeup bases and primers. COSRX also offers a much larger selection of fragrance-free products.

What is the difference between COSRX and MAC?

COSRX is better suited for acne-prone, sensitive, and oily acne-prone skin, while MAC offers fewer skincare options with stronger fragrances. The products on this page from COSRX frequently feature gentle and hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, whereas MAC is primarily known for makeup bases and primers.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

COSRX or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

COSRX offers a wider range of moisturizers with high Lovi fit levels across skin types, such as the Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence which is rated Superior for dry, sensitive, and oily acne-prone skin. In contrast, MAC features fewer moisturizer options like the Hyper Real Serumizer, which has an Average fit for most skin types.

Which is more affordable, COSRX or MAC?

COSRX is more affordable than MAC, as review themes note that COSRX does better on price per value while MAC has a high price point.

Which causes fewer breakouts, COSRX or MAC?

COSRX is the better choice for acne-prone skin because the products on this page help provide effective acne and pore control. Both brands are equal regarding breakouts.

Which brand has more products that contain fragrance, COSRX or MAC?

COSRX has more products with fragrance than MAC because 1 of its 38 products lists fragrance, whereas all 3 MAC products on the page contain it.

Which brand is better suited for acne-prone and sensitive skin according to their brand-focused routines?

COSRX is better suited for acne-prone and sensitive skin, as its brand-focused routines are specifically designed for these skin types. MAC does not list any brand-focused routines for these concerns on this page.

How do the founding years and countries of origin compare between COSRX and MAC?

COSRX was founded in 2013 in South Korea, whereas MAC was founded earlier in 1984 in Canada.

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?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

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