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Cetaphil vs MAC

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

Cetaphil and MAC represent two distinct approaches to daily care, with the American brand recognized for gentle cleansers, moisturizers, serums, and sunscreens utilizing glycerin, niacinamide, and panthenol, while the Canadian brand offers reliable moisturizers and makeup removers. The former suits oily skin and combination skin best, whereas the latter suits balanced skin best. Both brands differ in their formulations and targeted concerns, providing thoughtful foundations for maintenance.

Cetaphil is an American skincare brand founded in 1947 and owned by Galderma Group AG.

en.wikipedia.orgcetaphil.co.uk

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

Popular Cetaphil vs MAC products

People Say

CetaphilMAC
  • Hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “cleared up flaky skin — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “healed my dry patches — Cetaphil Moisturising Cream”
    • “absorbs quickly — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Absorbs in a snap — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Gentle on sensitive skin Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “The only thing my reactive skin tolerates. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
    • “No breakouts since switching to this. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
    • “cleans without stripping — Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser”
  • Excellent makeup base and primer Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “foundation glides on — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Sits beautifully under makeup — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Radiant glow and blurred pores Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “lit-from-within look — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Reduces appearance of pores — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy absorption Often MentionedNot noted
    • “absorbs instantly — Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Absorbs quickly into skin without residue — Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion”
    • “absorbs quickly — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
  • Gentle exfoliation and softening Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “petal-soft skin — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Micro-fine granules don't irritate — Cetaphil Extra Gentle Daily Scrub”
  • High price point Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive for drugstore — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Strong scent or fragrance Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Overpowering masking fragrance — Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar”
    • “Scent is overwhelmingly artificial. — Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser”
    • “scent is overpowering — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Breakouts and clogged pores Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “caused whiteheads — Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Broke me out bad — Cetaphil Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser”
    • “caused small bumps — Cetaphil Moisturising Cream”
    • “caused acne — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”

Questions and answers

Cetaphil or MAC: which is better?

Cetaphil is generally better for sensitive skin, offering gentle and mostly fragrance-free cleansers and lightweight moisturizers. MAC does better as a makeup base and primer, though its products feature strong fragrance and sensitivity.

What is the difference between Cetaphil and MAC?

Cetaphil is better at being gentle on sensitive skin and providing lightweight absorption, whereas MAC performs better for makeup bases, radiant glow, and gentle exfoliation. The products on this page for Cetaphil mostly feature gentle, non-stripping cleansers with key ingredients like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, while MAC products often contain fragrance and carry a higher price point.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Cetaphil or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

Cetaphil is better for moisturizers on this page, offering various formulas with a Lovi fit level of High for dry skin, whereas MAC provides options with average fits.

Which is more affordable, Cetaphil or MAC?

Cetaphil is more affordable than MAC, as MAC has a high price point. Review themes indicate that high price point is a negative point for MAC.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Cetaphil or MAC?

MAC has no breakout reviews on this page, while reviewers often note breakouts and clogged pores for Cetaphil products on this page. Lovi rates Cetaphil products across a wide range of fit levels for acne-prone skin.

How do the founding years and parent companies of Cetaphil and MAC compare?

Cetaphil was founded in the United States in 1947 and is owned by Galderma Group AG, while MAC was founded in Canada in 1984 and is owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.

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

Cetaphil has more fragrance-free products than MAC, as 26 of the 27 Cetaphil products on this page list no fragrance while all MAC products on this page contain fragrance.

What are the skin types that Cetaphil fits best according to its brand-focused routines?

According to its brand-focused routines, Cetaphil fits oily skin, combination skin, and oily acne-prone skin best.

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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