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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 known for thoughtful daily skincare, with the British brand founded in 1999 and the Canadian brand founded in 1984. Pixi is beloved for its toners, serums, eye products, and moisturizers featuring gentle and effective formulas that suit oily skin and sensitive skin best, while the other brand offers reliable moisturizers and makeup removers that suit balanced skin best. Both lines address specific concerns through targeted offerings, such as acne-prone skin, skin with dark spots, and mature skin. These approaches differ as the first brand delivers balanced care without heaviness or irritation for a radiant complexion, whereas the second brand provides a calm and measured foundation for daily maintenance.

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 and glow, gentle exfoliation, soothing properties, and price value, while MAC is better for hydration and moisture, and makeup bases and primers. Reviewers note that Pixi's key ingredients include aloe vera and hyaluronic acid, which helps with skin hydration.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Drug Delivery, 2017

What is the difference between Pixi and MAC?

Pixi offers a wide selection of toners, mists, and serums that help provide radiance and gentle exfoliation, whereas MAC features moisturizing and makeup prep products with stronger fragrance notes. Pixi fits best for oily, sensitive, and acne-prone skin, while MAC focuses on lightweight hydration.

Pixi or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

For a moisturizer, Pixi offers options like its Rose Oil Blend with a High fit for dry skin, whereas MAC provides choices such as its Hyper Real Serumizer and Mineralize Timecheck Lotion. Hyaluronic acid helps improve skin moisture and hydration, while aloe vera helps soothe and heal the skin.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, Pixi or MAC?

Pixi is more affordable, whereas MAC is noted by reviewers for having a high price point.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Pixi or MAC?

Pixi fits acne-prone skin best among its brand routines, and its Retinol Tonic has a Superior Lovi fit level for acne-prone skin.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Archives of Dermatology, 2007

Which brand has products with better ratings for oily and acne-prone skin, Pixi or MAC?

Pixi has better ratings for oily and acne-prone skin, with several products achieving a Superior fit level for these skin types. Reviewers also note that Pixi provides lightweight and pleasant toners, whereas MAC products on this page generally receive average ratings for oily and acne-prone skin.

How do the founding countries and parent companies of Pixi and MAC compare?

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

Which brand offers a wider variety of toners and serums, Pixi or MAC?

Pixi offers a wide variety of toners and serums on this page, whereas MAC does not feature any toners in its product selection.

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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