🇮🇪Ireland

Olay vs MAC

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

Olay and MAC are trusted skincare lines offering thoughtful selections of moisturizers, eye products, serums, cleansers, and makeup removers. The former is known for niacinamide and glycerin formulations that suit mature and acne-prone skin best, while the Canadian brand features balanced formulas ideal for balanced skin. Ultimately, the two differ in their primary ingredients and targeted treatments, providing either specialized correction or a calm foundation for daily maintenance.

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

Popular Olay vs MAC products

People Say

OlayMAC
  • Skin Texture and Smoothness Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “skin feels baby soft — Olay Retinol24”
    • “Skin feels like silk — Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer”
    • “hydrates the skin — Olay Advanced Eye Cream”
    • “Reduces appearance of pores — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • 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”
    • “Instantly smoother, softer, and more hydrated — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
  • Makeup Compatibility Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “foundation glides on — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Sits beautifully under makeup — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “absorbs instantly — Olay Eye Lifting Serum”
  • Radiance and Brightening Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “iridescent glow — Olay Super Serum”
    • “hides dark shadows — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
    • “skin looks brighter — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
    • “lit-from-within look — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Absorption and Feel Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “sinks in quickly — Olay Super Serum”
    • “absorbs quickly — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
    • “absorbs instantly — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
  • Gentle Formulas Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Does not cause breakouts — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “Doesn't sting my eyes or blur my vision. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “tiny beads aren't harsh — Olay Regenerating Cream Cleanser”
  • Price Point and Cost Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive for drugstore — Olay Super Serum”
    • “expensive — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
    • “small quantity (0.5 oz) — Olay Eye Lifting Serum”
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Fragrance and Scent Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Fragrance can be an irritant — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
    • “floral scent — Olay Super Serum”
    • “smells like plastic — Olay Retinol24”
    • “scent is overpowering — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Skin Irritation and Breakouts Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “caused cystic acne — Olay Retinol24”
    • “Caused breakouts — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
    • “caused acne — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Breaks me out, I got pimples from this. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”

Questions and answers

Olay or MAC: which is better?

Olay is generally better for skin texture and brightening, while MAC is often preferred for hydration and makeup compatibility. Reviewers note that Olay provides fragrance-free options across most of the products on this page, whereas MAC formulas include fragrance.

What is the difference between Olay and MAC?

Olay features a larger variety of skincare products that shoppers find helpful for improving skin texture and boosting radiance, while MAC focuses on lightweight moisturizers and products that serve as great makeup bases. Additionally, niacinamide helps reduce pigmentation across the products on this page.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Olay or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

When comparing the moisturizers on this page, Olay offers options with a Superior fit for mature and dry skin, such as Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream, while MAC features lightweight options like Mineralize Timecheck Lotion. Topical palmitoyl pentapeptide provided improvement in photoaged human facial skin.

International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2005

Which is more affordable, Olay or MAC?

Olay is more affordable than MAC, which reviewers note has a high price point. The products on this page for Olay include budget-friendly options, whereas MAC has higher costs across its range.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Olay or MAC?

Olay and MAC perform equally when it comes to skin irritation and breakouts based on the products on this page. Reviewers note that both brands have options that may work for different skin types, though Olay offers a wider selection of fragrance-free formulas.

Between Olay and MAC, which brand offers better options for dry skin hydration?

MAC does better for hydration and moisture, and the products on this page for dry skin include options like Mineralize Timecheck Lotion with a High fit level according to Lovi. Hyaluronic acid helps provide hydration and moisture for skin quality.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

How do the fragrance options differ between Olay and MAC skincare products?

Olay products on this page are mostly fragrance-free, with 26 out of 27 options listing no fragrance, whereas every MAC product on this page includes fragrance. This makes Olay a better choice if you prefer to avoid added scents.

Which brand has a longer history, Olay or MAC?

Olay has a longer history than MAC, having been founded in 1952 compared to MAC which started in 1984.

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