🇮🇪Ireland

BYOMA vs MAC

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

BYOMA and MAC are two distinct beauty lines offering thoughtful daily essentials, with the British brand focusing on ceramide-rich formulas and the Canadian label relying on balanced ingredients for routine maintenance. The former features moisturizers and serums that suit dry skin best, whereas the latter provides reliable cleansing and moisturizing options tailored for balanced skin. While both labels support healthy complexions, they differ through their core formulations, as the younger line targets barrier hydration and the established name delivers a measured foundation for everyday wear.

BYOMA is a British skincare brand founded in 2022 and owned by Bansk Group since 2025.

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

Popular BYOMA vs MAC products

People Say

BYOMAMAC
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin feels so hydrated — BYOMA Hydrating Milky Toner”
    • “feels refreshing on the skin — BYOMA Balancing Face Mist”
    • “absorbs quickly — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Absorbs in a snap — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Gentleness and Sensitivity Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “doesn't strip skin — BYOMA Creamy Jelly Cleanser”
    • “no irritation at all — BYOMA Sensitive Retinol Oil”
    • “great for sensitive skin — BYOMA Balancing Face Mist”
    • “Does not cause breakouts — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Makeup Base and Primer Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “foundation glides on — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Sits beautifully under makeup — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Skin Texture Improvement Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Reduces appearance of pores — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “petal-soft skin — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Keeps my face soft and not oily — BYOMA Brightening Toner”
  • Texture and Absorption Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “Absorbs instantly — BYOMA Moisturizing Gel-Cream”
    • “sinks in quickly — BYOMA Brightening Serum”
    • “sinks in immediately — BYOMA Hydrating Serum”
  • Skin Barrier Support Often MentionedNot noted
    • “helped heal my barrier — BYOMA Hydrating Serum”
    • “healed my skin barrier — BYOMA Hydrating Milky Toner”
    • “calmed my redness — BYOMA Creamy Jelly Cleanser”
  • High Price Point Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Packaging and Design Flaws Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “Opening is huge — BYOMA Brightening Toner”
  • Skin Reactions and Breakouts Often MentionedSometimes 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”
    • “Rolls off skin — BYOMA Moisturizing Gel-Cream”

Questions and answers

BYOMA or MAC: which is better?

BYOMA performs better for hydration, skin barrier support, and gentleness, while MAC is favored for makeup bases and primers. Reviewers note that BYOMA offers more affordable options, whereas MAC products often come with a high price point and strong fragrance.

What is the difference between BYOMA and MAC?

BYOMA focuses more on barrier support and hydration with mostly fragrance-free formulas, whereas MAC specializes in makeup bases and primers with scented options. Reviewers note that BYOMA is often more gentle for sensitive skin, while MAC offers targeted skin texture improvements.

BYOMA or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

BYOMA offers moisturizers on this page with a Superior Lovi fit for dry skin, whereas MAC's moisturizers achieve only an Average or High fit for the same skin type. Reviewers also note that BYOMA specializes in barrier-strengthening moisturizers, while MAC options often feature strong fragrance and sensitivity.

Which is more affordable, BYOMA or MAC?

BYOMA is more affordable than MAC, as MAC has a high price point. BYOMA also does better on price.

Which causes fewer breakouts, BYOMA or MAC?

BYOMA does better for skin reactions and breakouts compared to MAC based on reviewer feedback on this page. The products on this page help strengthen the skin barrier with ingredients like ceramides while maintaining fragrance-free formulas.

Between BYOMA and MAC, which brand offers better options for gentleness and sensitivity?

Between the two, BYOMA does better for gentleness and sensitivity. The products on this page list no fragrance in 16 out of 17 items, whereas MAC includes fragrance across all its listed products.

How do the fragrance contents of BYOMA and MAC skincare products compare?

BYOMA products on this page generally avoid added fragrance, as 16 out of 17 list no fragrance, whereas all MAC products on this page include fragrance.

Which brand is better suited for makeup base and primer, BYOMA or MAC?

MAC is better suited for makeup bases and primers compared to BYOMA. Reviewers mostly mention MAC for its strong performance in makeup bases and primers.

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?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play