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Simple vs MAC

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

Simple and MAC are two distinct beauty houses, with the former being a British skincare brand founded in 1960 and the latter being a Canadian skincare brand founded in 1984. Simple is known for gentle moisturizers, makeup removers, cleansers, and toners crafted with niacinamide and glycerin, while the brand is beloved for its thoughtful approach to daily skincare, offering reliable moisturizers and makeup removers crafted from carefully balanced formulas. The British line suits acne-prone skin and skin with dark spots best, whereas the Canadian brand suits balanced skin best, supported by gentle and effective ingredients. They differ in their specific formulations and targeted selections, as the former relies on niacinamide to reduce hyperpigmentation and glycerin to improve hydration, while both provide a calm and measured foundation for daily maintenance.

Simple is a British skincare brand founded in 1960 and owned by Unilever PLC since 2011.

en.wikipedia.orgsec.govprnewswire.comsimple.co.uk

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

Popular Simple vs MAC products

People Say

SimpleMAC
  • Hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “banished dryness within days — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
    • “absorbs quickly — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Absorbs in a snap — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Gentle on sensitive skin Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Does not cause any form of irritation on the skin which I love. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “The only cleanser that doesn't turn my face red. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “no artificial perfume — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “Does not cause breakouts — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Makeup base and primer performance 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”
    • “makeup lays well — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
  • Effective cleansing and makeup removal Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Takes off any makeup residue and makes my face feel refreshed. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “Best morning cleanser — Simple Refreshing Facial Wash”
    • “Removes waterproof mascara completely without needing a separate remover. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “Emulsifies beautifully and rinses off without a greasy film. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Affordable price point and value Often MentionedNot noted
    • “great value for money — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
    • “super affordable — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “Can't beat the price for the quality. — Simple Micellar Water”
  • Convenience and formulation features Often MentionedNot noted
    • “Love that it has absolutely no scent. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “love that it's alcohol-free — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
    • “No need to rinse... perfect for traveling or lazy nights. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
  • High price point Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Caused breakouts and skin reactions Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Gave me tiny bumps on my forehead. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “caused major breakouts — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “caused acne — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Breaks me out, I got pimples from this. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Struggles with waterproof makeup Often MentionedNot noted
    • “Did not remove my mascara very well at all. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”

Questions and answers

Simple or MAC: which is better?

Simple does better for affordable pricing and sensitive skin, while MAC excels with makeup bases and primers. Reviewers note that Simple offers high value and fragrance-free choices, whereas MAC products feature fragrance and a higher price point. Lovi rates Simple with a Superior fit for mature skin using its Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

What is the difference between Simple and MAC?

Simple offers more affordable, fragrance-free products on this page that Lovi finds gentler for sensitive skin, whereas MAC features products that are higher priced and include fragrance.

Simple or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

Simple offers more value-friendly options for daily moisture, while MAC provides lightweight moisturizers that may carry a stronger fragrance. Lovi rates the moisturizers on this page for both brands as having an Average fit across most skin types, except for Mineralize Timecheck Lotion by MAC which achieves a High fit for dry, sensitive, dry sensitive, and acne-prone skin.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Which is more affordable, Simple or MAC?

Simple is more affordable than MAC, as reviewers frequently mention its budget-friendly price point while noting MAC's high prices.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Simple or MAC?

Simple is gentler on sensitive skin and helps you avoid the strong fragrances found in MAC products, which often cause skin reactions. Reviewers note that Simple products on this page have no fragrance and are sensitive-skin-friendly makeup removers, while MAC products often bring complaints of strong fragrance and sensitivity.

Between Simple and MAC, which brand is better suited for sensitive skin based on fragrance and reviews?

Simple is better suited for sensitive skin than MAC, as every Simple product on this page lists no fragrance, whereas all MAC products contain fragrance and reviewers frequently mention strong fragrance and sensitivity issues with MAC. Reviewers also note that Simple offers gentle, sensitive-skin-friendly makeup removers.

How do the origins and parent companies of Simple and MAC differ?

Simple was founded in 1960 in the United Kingdom and has been owned by Unilever PLC since 2011. In contrast, MAC was founded in 1984 in Canada and has been owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 1994.

Which brand offers better makeup removers and cleansing options for dry sensitive skin?

Simple offers a high fit level for dry sensitive skin with its makeup removers, while the products on this page for MAC also include high-fit cleansing options for this skin type like Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil. Glycerin helps maintain hydration when cleansing.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

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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