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Medik8 vs MAC

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

Medik8 and MAC are distinct beauty houses, with the British brand focusing on hyaluronic acid-powered serums, moisturizers, eye products, and toners, while the Canadian brand offers reliable daily moisturizers and makeup removers from balanced formulas. Medik8 suits dry and dry sensitive skin best, with standout items like the Surface Radiance Cleanse for acne-prone skin, the Oxy-R Peptides for dark spots, and the Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream for mature skin. Conversely, the Estée Lauder-owned brand suits balanced skin best, featuring targeted choices such as the Mineralize Timecheck Lotion for acne-prone skin, the Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil for dark spots, and the Hyper Real Serumizer for mature skin. Ultimately, the former highlights targeted active ingredients, whereas the latter provides a calm and measured foundation for daily maintenance.

Medik8 is a British skincare brand founded in 2009 and owned by L'Oréal Groupe since 2025.

loreal.commedik8.comtracxn.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 Medik8 and MAC products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Medik8 vs MAC products

People Say

Medik8MAC
  • Hydration and Moisture Often 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”
    • “Restores moisture — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
  • Gentle and Non-Irritating Formulation Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “zero irritation or peeling — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “only Vitamin C my sensitive skin can tolerate — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “Best retinol replacement — Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides”
    • “Does not cause breakouts — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Makeup Compatibility and Base Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “foundation glides on — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Sits beautifully under makeup — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “layers well under sunscreen — Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream”
  • Brightening and Glow Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “I wake up glowing. It adds back that youthful bloom that I've lost. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
    • “unlocked a serious glow — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “immediate glow — Medik8 Super C Ferulic”
    • “lit-from-within look — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Skin Plumping and Smoothing Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Reduces appearance of pores — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “petal-soft skin — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “My skin was smoother, my skin texture felt more resurfaced. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
  • Lightweight and Elegant Texture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “absorbed effortlessly — Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream”
    • “Absorbs fast — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “Emulsifies beautifully and rinses off without a greasy film. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • High Price Point Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Expensive per bottle — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “very expensive for amount — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “hefty price tag — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Caused Breakouts or Reactions Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “made me break out constantly — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “caused breakouts — Medik8 Oxy-R Peptides”
    • “caused me to breakout — Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream”
    • “caused acne — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”

Questions and answers

Medik8 or MAC: which is better?

Medik8 is better for gentle, fragrance-free formulations and brightening, whereas MAC excels at hydration, moisture, and makeup compatibility. Medik8 features products on this page with generally lower fragrance risks, while MAC formulas on this page contain fragrance.

What is the difference between Medik8 and MAC?

Medik8 stands out for its gentle, fragrance-free serums that target brightening and aging, whereas MAC is known for lightweight moisturizers and makeup bases that often contain fragrance. Reviewers note that Medik8 helps provide deep hydration, while MAC tends to offer better overall moisture and skin plumping for certain skin types.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Medik8 or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

Medik8 provides a better moisturizer option on this page for dry skin, where Hydr8 B5 Intense achieves a Superior Lovi fit level. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, Medik8 or MAC?

Reviewers note a high price point for both Medik8 and MAC, meaning neither brand is clearly more affordable than the other based on user feedback.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Medik8 or MAC?

Medik8 is noted by reviewers for having caused breakouts or reactions, whereas MAC is not mentioned for causing breakouts on this page.

Which brand offers products with a superior fit for dry skin, Medik8 or MAC?

Medik8 offers products with a superior fit for dry skin, as seen with Bakuchiol Peptides, Hydr8 B5 Intense, and Press & Glow. Reviewers note that the products on this page help provide deep hydration and plumping, while hyaluronic acid helps deliver moisturizing effects.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

How does the fragrance content compare between Medik8 and MAC products?

Medik8 products on this page generally have no fragrance, with only 1 of 12 listing fragrance, whereas all 3 MAC products contain fragrance.

Which brand was founded earlier and in what country, Medik8 or MAC?

MAC was founded earlier in 1984 in Canada, whereas Medik8 was founded in 2009 in the United Kingdom.

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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