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No7 vs MAC

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

No7 and MAC are distinct beauty lines, with the British brand founded in 1935 and the Canadian brand founded in 1984. No7 offers serums, eye products, moisturizers, sunscreens, and more, built around vitamin c, shea butter, and hyaluronic acid, while the latter is beloved for its thoughtful approach to daily skincare, offering reliable moisturizers and makeup removers crafted from carefully balanced formulas. The first brand fits dry skin and dry sensitive skin best, with shea butter protecting skin and mitigating erythema, whereas its counterpart suits balanced skin best, supported by gentle and effective ingredients. They differ in their foundational heritage, specific targeted treatments for acne-prone skin, dark spots, and mature skin, and their tailored approaches to individual complexions.

No7 is a British skincare brand founded in 1935 and owned by Sycamore Partners since 2025.

cosmeticsbusiness.comen.wikipedia.org

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 No7 and MAC products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular No7 vs MAC products

People Say

No7MAC
  • Hydration and radiance 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”
    • “Skin feels moisturized — No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal Night Cream”
  • Makeup compatibility Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “foundation glides on — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Sits beautifully under makeup — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “Wears well under makeup — No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal Serum”
  • Skin feel and texture Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “Skin feels softer — No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal Serum”
    • “skin feels so soft — No7 Total Renewal Micro-Dermabrasion Exfoliator”
    • “skin feels velvety — No7 Pure Retinol”
  • Radiance and glow Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “lit-from-within look — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “healthier glow — No7 Total Renewal Micro-Dermabrasion Exfoliator”
  • Gentle formula and irritation Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “zero irritation — No7 Pure Retinol Eye Cream”
    • “soothing on skin — No7 Restore & Renew Multi Action Eye Cream”
    • “good for sensitive skin — No7 Pure Retinol”
    • “Does not cause breakouts — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Instant smoothing Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Reduces appearance of pores — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Price point Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Expensive for amount provided — No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal Serum”
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Lack of results Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Don't expect miracles — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “No change in wrinkles/spots — No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal Serum”
  • Fragrance and scent Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Too much fragrance — No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal Night Cream”
    • “overpowering — No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Night Cream”
    • “Scent is overpowering — No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Day Cream”
    • “scent is overpowering — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Skin reactions and irritation Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “caused acne — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “burned my skin — No7 Pure Retinol”

Questions and answers

No7 or MAC: which is better?

No7 and MAC suit different needs, as No7 focuses on targeted anti-aging and hydration with many fragrance-free products on this page, while MAC emphasizes makeup bases and lightweight moisturizers. Reviewers note that No7 is better for gentle formulas and skin feel, whereas MAC is favored for hydration, radiance, and makeup compatibility.

What is the difference between No7 and MAC?

No7 offers a wider range of products featuring ingredients like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid that help with hydration and anti-aging, while MAC focuses more on makeup bases and primers with stronger fragrances. Reviewers note that No7 is generally better for gentle formulas and skin feel, whereas MAC excels in hydration, radiance, and instant smoothing.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

No7 or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

When comparing moisturizers, No7 has products on this page reaching a Superior Lovi fit level for mature skin, whereas MAC's moisturizers reach a High fit level at best. Reviewers also note that No7 is better for gentle formulas and irritation.

Which is more affordable, No7 or MAC?

No7 is more affordable than MAC, as negative reviews mention high pricing for MAC while No7 is noted for a better price point.

Which causes fewer breakouts, No7 or MAC?

No7 has a High fit level for acne-prone skin on several products on this page, whereas MAC does not list any products with a High fit for acne-prone skin. No7 reviewers more often mention skin irritation and adverse reactions, while reviewers note that MAC products have a strong fragrance and sensitivity.

Which brand has more fragrance-free skincare products, No7 or MAC?

No7 has more fragrance-free skincare products, as 10 of the 13 products on this page for No7 list no fragrance, whereas none of the 3 products on this page for MAC do.

Which brand is older, No7 or MAC?

No7 is older than MAC, having been founded in 1935 in the United Kingdom compared to MAC, which was founded in 1984 in Canada.

Which brand's products feature key ingredients like Vitamin C and Shea butter?

No7 products on this page feature key ingredients like Vitamin C and Shea butter. Reviewers note that No7 does better for gentle formulas and irritation.

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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