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The INKEY List vs MAC

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

The INKEY List and MAC are distinct skincare houses that cater to diverse complexions through thoughtful, specialized formulations. The British brand focuses on targeted serums, moisturizers, and toners built around glycerin to support sensitive and combination skin, while the Canadian brand offers reliable daily hydrators and makeup removers crafted for balanced skin. Both labels address specific needs like acne, dark spots, and aging through dedicated products, though they differ in their core ingredient philosophies and ideal skin types.

The INKEY List is a British skincare brand founded in 2018 and owned by Brand Evangelists for Beauty Limited.

cosmeticsbusiness.comprnewswire.comtheinkeylist.comtracxn.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 The INKEY List and MAC products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular The INKEY List vs MAC products

People Say

The INKEY ListMAC
  • 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”
    • “Super hydrating — The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum”
  • Makeup Performance and Base Sometimes 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”
    • “no pilling under makeup — The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
  • Gentle Formula and Soothing Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Great for sensitive skin — The INKEY List PHA Toner”
    • “Safe and gentle especially for my dry, sensitive skin — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
    • “calmed my menopausal redness — The INKEY List ECTOIN HYDRO-BARRIER SERUM”
    • “Does not cause breakouts — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Other Positive Effects Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Removes waterproof mascara completely without needing a separate remover. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “lit-from-within look — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Emulsifies beautifully and rinses off without a greasy film. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “skin looks fresh and plump — The INKEY List Collagen Peptide Serum”
  • Lightweight Texture and Fast Absorption Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “sits beautifully under makeup — The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream”
    • “Gel consistency — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
    • “feels like applying straight up water to the skin — The INKEY List Omega Water Cream”
    • “Emulsifies beautifully and rinses off without a greasy film. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Affordable Price and Value Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “Good for the price — The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser”
    • “One of the best balms for quality and also price — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
    • “unbeatable value — The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
  • High Price Point Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Other Minor Complaints Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Tube leaks liquified oil when opened — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
    • “very runny serum — The INKEY List Collagen Peptide Serum”
    • “contains glitter — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Felt sticky to me — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Unpleasant Scent or Fragrance Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Smells like BBQ/meat — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
    • “Smells like chemicals — The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum”
    • “scent is overpowering — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Has a scent that might irritate very sensitive noses. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”

Questions and answers

The INKEY List or MAC: which is better?

The INKEY List offers much better affordability and gentleness across the products on this page, whereas MAC performs better for makeup bases and hydration. Lovi rates The INKEY List as a High fit for sensitive skin, while MAC products on this page contain fragrance.

What is the difference between The INKEY List and MAC?

The products on this page for The INKEY List tend to be more affordable and fragrance-free, making them a better fit for gentle formulas and soothing care. In contrast, MAC products on this page often feature a higher price point and include fragrance in all their items, while performing better for hydration and makeup bases.

The INKEY List or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

When choosing a moisturizer, the products on this page from The INKEY List tend to be more affordable and lightweight, whereas MAC offers stronger hydration and moisture. Lovi rates several moisturizers from The INKEY List, such as the Polyglutamic Acid Serum, as having a Superior fit for dry skin, while MAC moisturizers like the Mineralize Timecheck Lotion feature a High fit for dry skin.

Which is more affordable, The INKEY List or MAC?

The INKEY List is more affordable than MAC, as reviewers frequently mention its affordable prices and value while noting MAC's high price point.

Which causes fewer breakouts, The INKEY List or MAC?

The INKEY List products on this page help with a gentle formula and soothing, whereas MAC products on this page often feature a strong fragrance and sensitivity.

Between The INKEY List and MAC, which brand offers better options for sensitive skin?

Between The INKEY List and MAC, The INKEY List offers better options for sensitive skin. Review themes show that The INKEY List does better for gentle formula and soothing, whereas MAC often has strong fragrance and sensitivity.

How do the founding years and countries of origin compare between The INKEY List and MAC?

The INKEY List was founded in the United Kingdom in 2018, whereas MAC was founded in Canada in 1984.

Which of the two skincare brands is entirely fragrance-free across its products on this page?

The products on this page from The INKEY List list no fragrance in their ingredients, unlike MAC where every product lists fragrance.

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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