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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 established in 1984. Pixi features toners, serums, eye products, and moisturizers that suit mature and oily skin best, while MAC offers moisturizers and makeup removers tailored primarily for balanced skin. The brands differ in their formulations and ideal skin types, as both deliver reliable, gentle care through targeted products like toners, lotions, and cleansing oils.

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 gentle exfoliation, while MAC does better for hydration and makeup bases. Lovi rates Pixi as having superior fits for mature, oily, and sensitive skin across the products on this page.

What is the difference between Pixi and MAC?

Pixi offers a wide selection of toners, serums, and moisturizers featuring key ingredients like aloe vera and hyaluronic acid, with Lovi rating them as a Superior fit for mature, oily, and sensitive skin. MAC focuses on makeup bases, primers, and lightweight moisturizers such as Hyper Real Serumizer. Reviewers note that Pixi excels at radiance and gentle exfoliation, whereas MAC stands out for hydration, moisture, and its use as a makeup base.

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

Pixi or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

When comparing moisturizers, Pixi offers products like Rose Oil Blend with varying fits including a High fit for dry skin, while MAC offers options like Hyper Real Serumizer and Mineralize Timecheck Lotion which has a High fit for dry, sensitive, and acne-prone skin.

Which is more affordable, Pixi or MAC?

Pixi is more affordable than MAC, as reviewers on the page frequently mention MAC for its high price point while noting Pixi favorably for price and value.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Pixi or MAC?

When it comes to breakout prevention, Pixi is rated Superior for acne-prone and oily acne-prone skin on several products like its Retinol Tonic, while MAC products on this page are generally rated Average for those skin types.

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

Which brand has more products without fragrance, Pixi or MAC?

Pixi has more products without fragrance, with 7 out of 10 products on this page listing no fragrance. In comparison, all 3 products from MAC on this page list fragrance.

How do the founding years and corporate ownerships of Pixi and MAC compare?

Pixi was founded in 1999 in the United Kingdom and is owned independently. In comparison, MAC was founded in 1984 in Canada and has been owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 1994.

What are the main skin types that Pixi is best suited for according to its brand-focused routines?

According to its brand-focused routines, the main skin types that Pixi has a Superior or High fit for across the products on this page are mature skin, oily skin, and sensitive skin.

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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