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Shiseido vs MAC

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

Shiseido and MAC are two distinct skincare brands founded in Japan and Canada, respectively. The Japanese house is known for nourishing moisturizers, gentle cleansers, protective sunscreens, potent serums, and versatile glycerin formulations that suit mature and sensitive skin best, whereas the Canadian label offers reliable moisturizers and makeup removers crafted from balanced formulas tailored to balanced skin. While the former brand provides deep moisture and gentle care through ingredients like glycerin, the latter delivers a calm and measured foundation for daily maintenance. Ultimately, both differ in their regional origins, parent companies, and specific target skin types.

Shiseido is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1872 and owned by Shiseido Company, Limited.

corp.shiseido.comen.wikipedia.orgmarketscreener.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 Shiseido and MAC products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Shiseido vs MAC products

People Say

ShiseidoMAC
  • Deep hydration Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “Immediate sensation of comfort — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
    • “Lightweight, silky, non-sticky, sinks in instantly. — Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate”
    • “skin feels plump, soft and nourished, eliminates dryness, bouncy feel — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
  • Makeup base compatibility Rarely 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”
    • “Great base for makeup — Shiseido Essential Energy Hydrating Cream”
  • Luxurious texture Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “silky smooth, rich but non-greasy, absorbs quickly, melts into skin — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
    • “Airy-soft texture — Shiseido Essential Energy Hydrating Cream”
    • “absorbs quickly — Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Gel Cream”
  • Radiance and brightening Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Skin looks brighter, more radiant, and "glowy." — Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate”
    • “faded pimple marks — Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Gel Cream”
    • “Eyes look more awake — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
    • “lit-from-within look — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Lightweight hydration Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “absorbs quickly — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Absorbs in a snap — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Smoother skin Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Velvety smooth — Shiseido FUTURE SOLUTION LX”
    • “makes skin baby soft — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream Enriched”
    • “smoothes rough skin — Shiseido Eudermine Revitalizing Essence”
    • “petal-soft skin — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • High price Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Very expensive for the size — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
    • “Expensive, pricey, high cost for the amount. — Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate”
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “A bit expensive — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Strong fragrance and scent Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “scent is overpowering — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Has a scent that might irritate very sensitive noses. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “old lady smell — Shiseido Eudermine Revitalizing Essence”
  • Skin irritation and reactions Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Caused some irritation — Shiseido Bio-Performance Advanced Super Revitalizing Cream”
    • “Caused burning and redness — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
    • “caused acne — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Stings if it accidentally gets into the eyes. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”

Questions and answers

Shiseido or MAC: which is better?

Shiseido is generally better for deep hydration and luxurious textures, whereas MAC is praised more for lightweight moisturizers and makeup bases. For skin types, Shiseido fits mature, sensitive, and oily skin best according to Lovi fit levels.

What is the difference between Shiseido and MAC?

Shiseido delivers deep hydration and radiant results, while MAC is known for lightweight moisturizers and makeup base compatibility. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of skin aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Shiseido or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

When it comes to moisturizers, Shiseido stands out on this page for offering specialized, highly rated options for mature and dry skin, while MAC focuses on lightweight hydration. According to the page facts, Shiseido features products like Essential Energy Hydrating Cream, which is rated High for dry skin and Superior for mature skin.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, Shiseido or MAC?

Both Shiseido and MAC have a high price point, so neither stands out as more affordable.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Shiseido or MAC?

When it comes to breakouts, neither brand is highlighted for preventing them, but the products on this page for Shiseido include options with varying acne-prone fit levels, while MAC offers fewer choices overall. Hyaluronic acid helps maintain skin hydration across the formulations for both brands.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

How do Shiseido and MAC differ in their product offerings for mature skin?

Shiseido offers a wide range of products for mature skin with varying Lovi fit levels such as Superior for Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Day Cream, whereas MAC features fewer options like Hyper Real Serumizer with an Average Lovi fit for mature skin.

Which brand has more fragrance-free options among their listed products, Shiseido or MAC?

Shiseido has more fragrance-free options among the products on this page, with 5 out of 20 products listing no fragrance, while MAC has 0 out of 3 fragrance-free products.

What are the main skin types that Shiseido and MAC are best suited for according to their brand-focused routines?

Shiseido is best suited for mature skin, sensitive skin, and oily skin based on its brand-focused routines, while MAC does not list any specific skin types that it fits best on this page.

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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