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Pixi vs MAC

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

Pixi and MAC are distinct beauty brands offering thoughtful daily skincare ranges crafted with gentle yet effective formulas. Pixi is beloved for its toners, serums, eye products, and moisturizers that suit sensitive and acne-prone skin best, featuring standout solutions like the Glow Tonic, Glow Peel Pads, and Retinol Tonic. Conversely, MAC is known for its reliable moisturizers and makeup removers tailored best to balanced skin, highlighting key products such as the Mineralize Timecheck Lotion, Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil, and Hyper Real Serumizer. While both brands deliver measured foundations for a calm and even complexion, they differ in their primary skin type focus and specific targeted offerings.

Pixi is a British skincare brand founded in 1999.

pixibeauty.comtracxn.compitchbook.com

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

Popular Pixi vs MAC products

People Say

PixiMAC
  • 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”
    • “Instant surge of hydration — Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist”
  • Radiance and Glow Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “gives instant glow — Pixi Glow Tonic”
    • “instantly cooling upon application — Pixi DetoxifEYE Depuffing Eye Patches”
    • “Skin is noticeably brighter — Pixi Glow Peel Pads”
    • “lit-from-within look — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • 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 Texture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Absorbs quickly — Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist”
    • “unique gel-like texture — Pixi Antioxidant Tonic”
    • “Emulsifies beautifully and rinses off without a greasy film. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Gentle Exfoliation and Texture Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Skin feels incredible, so smooth — Pixi Glow Peel Pads”
    • “doesn't sting — Pixi Glow Tonic”
    • “forehead bumps gone — Pixi Glow Tonic”
    • “petal-soft skin — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Soothing and Calming Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “calms my redness instantly — Pixi Rose Tonic”
    • “Gentle enough for regular use — Pixi Retinol Tonic”
    • “knocks my redness down — Pixi Antioxidant Tonic”
    • “Does not cause breakouts — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Price and Value Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Bottle is too small — Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist”
    • “Slight downside is the price — Pixi Glow Peel Pads”
    • “bottle is very small — Pixi Rose Oil Blend”
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Fragrance and Scent Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “smell is overpowering — Pixi Glow Tonic”
    • “Scent is too strong — Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist”
    • “scent is overpowering — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Has a scent that might irritate very sensitive noses. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Application and Packaging Issues Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Felt sticky to me — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “slippery and won't stay put — Pixi DetoxifEYE Depuffing Eye Patches”

Questions and answers

Pixi or MAC: which is better?

Pixi is better for radiance, gentle exfoliation, and a lower price point, whereas MAC is better for deep hydration, makeup bases, and lightweight moisturizers. Aloe vera helps soothe the skin, and hyaluronic acid provides moisture.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences, 2019

What is the difference between Pixi and MAC?

Pixi offers a wide selection of toners, serums, and moisturizers featuring key ingredients like aloe vera and hyaluronic acid, and reviewers note it gives radiance and deep hydration. MAC focuses on makeup bases, primers, and lightweight moisturizers, and reviewers report that it provides great hydration and serves well as a makeup base.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences, 2019

Pixi or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

For a moisturizer, Pixi provides a High Lovi fit for dry skin with its Rose Oil Blend, whereas MAC offers High fits for dry skin using Mineralize Timecheck Lotion and Hyper Real Serumizer. Reviewers note that MAC excels in moisture and hydration, while Pixi is appreciated for offering better price and value.

Which is more affordable, Pixi or MAC?

Pixi is more affordable than MAC, which reviewers note has a high price point.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Pixi or MAC?

Pixi fits acne-prone skin with a Superior Lovi fit level for products such as Retinol Tonic and Glow Tonic, whereas MAC items on this page only reach an Average or High fit level for breakout-prone skin. Aloe vera in the products on this page helps soothe the skin.

Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences, 2019

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

Pixi has more fragrance-free products, as 7 of 10 products on this page list no fragrance while all MAC products on this page contain fragrance.

How do the founding years and corporate ownerships of Pixi and MAC compare?

Pixi was founded in 1999 in the United Kingdom and is owned by an independent company. In comparison, MAC was founded earlier in 1984 in Canada and has been owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 1994.

Which brand performs better for radiance and glow according to reviewers?

According to reviewers, Pixi performs better for radiance and glow among 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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