🇫🇷France

Bioderma vs MAC

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

Bioderma and MAC are distinct beauty brands that cater to different routines and skin needs. The French skincare brand, founded in 1977, is known for its gentle moisturizers, soothing makeup removers, targeted serums, and purifying cleansers enriched with glycerin, making it best suited for acne-prone and oily acne-prone skin. Meanwhile, the Canadian skincare brand, founded in 1984, is beloved for its thoughtful approach to daily skincare, offering reliable moisturizers and makeup removers crafted from carefully balanced formulas that suit balanced skin best. While both feature standout cleansers and lotions for dark spots or mature skin, the former relies heavily on glycerin to improve hydration and restore barrier function, whereas the latter provides a calm and measured foundation for daily maintenance.

Bioderma is a French skincare brand founded in 1977 and owned by Jean-Noël Thorel Foundation since 2018.

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

Popular Bioderma vs MAC products

People Say

BiodermaMAC
  • Gentle and Non-Irritating Formula Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “doesn't sting my eyes — Bioderma Sensibio H2O”
    • “melts every bit of make up and SPF off — Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Cleansing Oil”
    • “doesn't cause any irritation — Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Cleansing Oil”
    • “Emulsifies beautifully and rinses off without a greasy film. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Makeup Base and Primer Qualities Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “foundation glides on — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Sits beautifully under makeup — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “lit-from-within look — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Keeps you shine free — Bioderma Sébium Pore Refiner”
  • Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “absorbs quickly — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Absorbs in a snap — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “healed my dry skin — Bioderma Sébium Hydra”
  • Cleansing and Makeup Removal Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “feels like water — Bioderma Sensibio H2O”
    • “I love that it's non-greasy and absorbs quickly. — Bioderma Pigmentbio Sensitive Areas”
    • “Removes waterproof mascara completely without needing a separate remover. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Price and Value Concerns Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “pricier than other brands — Bioderma Sensibio Gel Moussant”
    • “finished too quickly — Bioderma Hydrabio Serum”
    • “pricey for water — Bioderma Sensibio H2O”
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Texture and Residue Issues Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Don't expect miracles — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “Felt sticky to me — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “requires a thorough follow-up — Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Cleansing Oil”
  • Skin Irritation and Breakouts Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “caused acne — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Breaks me out, I got pimples from this. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “Stings if it accidentally gets into the eyes. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “broke me out — Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Baume”

Questions and answers

Bioderma or MAC: which is better?

Bioderma is better for gentle, non-irritating formulas and soothing barrier care, while MAC does better for makeup base qualities and lightweight moisturization. Reviewers frequently note that Bioderma's products on this page help with hydration and cleansing.

What is the difference between Bioderma and MAC?

Bioderma is a French brand whose products on this page fit sensitive, acne-prone, and oily acne-prone skin best, featuring soothing moisturizers and gentle cleansers. MAC is a Canadian brand that excels in makeup bases, primers, and hydration, though reviewers often note strong fragrance and sensitivity issues.

Bioderma or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

Bioderma offers a wider selection of moisturizers on this page compared to MAC, with options like Sébium Hydra achieving a High fit for sensitive and dry skin. Reviewers note that Bioderma is particularly recognized for soothing and barrier-repairing moisturizers.

Which is more affordable, Bioderma or MAC?

Bioderma is more affordable than MAC, although high price points are sometimes noted for the products on this page.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Bioderma or MAC?

Bioderma helps cause fewer breakouts because reviewers note that MAC often leads to skin irritation and breakouts. Lovi rates Bioderma with a High fit for acne-prone skin on the products on this page.

Which brand has more products without fragrance, Bioderma or MAC?

Bioderma has more products without fragrance, with 9 of its 20 products on this page listing no fragrance, compared to none for MAC.

Which brand's products are owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.?

MAC's products are owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc., as the brand has been under its ownership since 1994.

What are the key ingredients used across Bioderma products?

The key ingredients used across the products on this page for Bioderma are glycerin and golden seaweed.

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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