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Allies of Skin vs MAC

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

Allies of Skin and MAC are distinct skincare lines offering specialized solutions for various complexions. The first brand is loved for its luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, and targeted eye products formulated with powerhouse ingredients like niacinamide, suiting dry and acne-prone skin best. MAC is a Canadian skincare brand founded in 1984 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 1994, offering reliable moisturizers and makeup removers crafted from carefully balanced formulas that suit balanced skin best. While both cater to daily maintenance and specific concerns like dark spots or mature skin, they differ in their foundational formulations and ideal skin types.

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

Popular Allies of Skin vs MAC products

People Say

Allies of SkinMAC
  • Hydration and Plumping 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”
    • “nourished and hydrated — Allies of Skin Peptides & Omegas Firming Eye Cream”
  • Texture and Glow Improvement Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “gives skin an instant dewy glow — Allies of Skin Tranexamic & Arbutin Advanced Brightening Serum”
    • “Woke up looking well-rested — Allies of Skin Retinal & Peptides Repair Night Cream”
    • “creamy and consistent — Allies of Skin Peptides & Omegas Firming Eye Cream”
    • “lit-from-within look — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Makeup Primer and Base Benefits 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”
  • Skin Calming and Redness Reduction Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “Best retinol for sensitive skin — Allies of Skin Retinal & Peptides Repair Night Cream”
    • “Redness is less noticeable — Allies of Skin Copper Tripeptide & Ectoin Advanced Repair Serum”
    • “feels super soothing, doesn't trigger redness — Allies of Skin Tranexamic & Arbutin Advanced Brightening Serum”
  • Anti-Aging, Firming, and Brightening Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “scars visibly lightened after I started using this — Allies of Skin Tranexamic & Arbutin Advanced Brightening Serum”
    • “fix the fine lines — Allies of Skin Peptides & Omegas Firming Eye Cream”
    • “Gives me a nice youthful glow — Allies of Skin Peptides & Antioxidants Firming Daily Treatment”
  • High Price and Value Concerns Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Pricey — Allies of Skin Copper Tripeptide & Ectoin Advanced Repair Serum”
    • “price definitely hurts — Allies of Skin Tranexamic & Arbutin Advanced Brightening Serum”
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “A bit expensive — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Scents, Fragrance, and Finish Issues Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “didn't like how sticky face feels — Allies of Skin Molecular Saviour Probiotics Treatment Mist”
    • “Distinct rancid smell — Allies of Skin Copper Tripeptide & Ectoin Advanced Repair Serum”
    • “scent is overpowering — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “contains glitter — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Irritation, Purging, and Breakouts Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Slightly irritating... when I first started — Allies of Skin Copper Tripeptide & Ectoin Advanced Repair Serum”
    • “rashes popped up on my neck — Allies of Skin Tranexamic & Arbutin Advanced Brightening Serum”
    • “Skin may be in purging stage — Allies of Skin Retinal & Peptides Repair Night Cream”
    • “caused acne — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Slow or Insufficient Results Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Don't expect miracles — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “still not impressed with the results — Allies of Skin Tranexamic & Arbutin Advanced Brightening Serum”

Questions and answers

Allies of Skin or MAC: which is better?

Allies of Skin is better for texture, firming, and brightening, while MAC does better for hydration, plumping, and makeup primer benefits. Allies of Skin has fragrance-free products on this page, whereas all MAC products on this page contain fragrance. Niacinamide in Allies of Skin helps reduce skin pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

What is the difference between Allies of Skin and MAC?

Allies of Skin does better for texture and glow improvement, skin calming, and anti-aging, while MAC performs better for hydration, plumping, and makeup primer benefits. Allies of Skin products on this page list no fragrance, whereas every MAC product contains fragrance.

Allies of Skin or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

Allies of Skin offers moisturizers on this page that feature fragrance-free formulas and include soothing ingredients like probiotics, helping deliver high fit levels for dry skin and mature skin. Meanwhile, MAC moisturizers on this page often contain fragrance and may trigger sensitivity, though they provide lightweight hydration.

International Journal of Medical Sciences, 2021Experimental Dermatology, 2019

Which is more affordable, Allies of Skin or MAC?

Both Allies of Skin and MAC are equally matched when it comes to high price and value concerns, as reviewers mostly mention a high price point for both brands. No study was found to evaluate the affordability of either brand.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Allies of Skin or MAC?

MAC causes fewer breakouts because Allies of Skin is more commonly linked to irritation, purging, and breakouts in reviews. Niacinamide in Allies of Skin helps control skin aging and pigmentation.

Antioxidants, 2021

How do Allies of Skin and MAC compare in terms of fragrance across their products?

Allies of Skin products on this page list no fragrance, whereas every MAC product on this page includes fragrance. This makes Allies of Skin a better choice for shoppers who prefer fragrance-free skincare.

Which brand offers better results for anti-aging, firming, and brightening, Allies of Skin or MAC?

Allies of Skin offers better results for anti-aging, firming, and brightening, as its products on this page feature key ingredients like niacinamide that help control skin aging and pigmentation. Reviewers also frequently note that the brand provides effective anti-aging and brightening serums.

Antioxidants, 2021The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Which brand is better for skin calming and redness reduction, Allies of Skin or MAC?

Allies of Skin does better for skin calming and redness reduction. Reviewers mostly mention its calming serums, and every product on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

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

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