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BYOMA vs MAC

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

BYOMA and MAC are distinct beauty brands offering thoughtful daily formulations for diverse complexions. The British line, founded in 2022, provides targeted moisturizers, toners, cleansers, and serums featuring a proprietary tri-ceramide complex and squalane that suit acne-prone and mature skin best. Meanwhile, the Canadian house, established in 1984, delivers reliable moisturizers and makeup removers crafted for balanced skin. While both prioritize gentle efficacy, they differ fundamentally because the former focuses on barrier repair and oxidative stress, whereas the latter offers a measured foundation for daily maintenance.

BYOMA is a British skincare brand founded in 2022 and owned by Bansk Group since 2025.

cosmeticsbusiness.com

MAC is a Canadian skincare brand founded in 1984 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 1994.

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This page compares some of the most popular BYOMA and MAC products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular BYOMA vs MAC products

People Say

BYOMAMAC
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin feels so hydrated — BYOMA Hydrating Milky Toner”
    • “feels refreshing on the skin — BYOMA Balancing Face Mist”
    • “absorbs quickly — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Absorbs in a snap — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Gentleness and Sensitivity Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “doesn't strip skin — BYOMA Creamy Jelly Cleanser”
    • “no irritation at all — BYOMA Sensitive Retinol Oil”
    • “great for sensitive skin — BYOMA Balancing Face Mist”
    • “Does not cause breakouts — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Makeup Base and Primer Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “foundation glides on — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Sits beautifully under makeup — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Skin Texture Improvement Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Reduces appearance of pores — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “petal-soft skin — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Keeps my face soft and not oily — BYOMA Brightening Toner”
  • Texture and Absorption Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “Absorbs instantly — BYOMA Moisturizing Gel-Cream”
    • “sinks in quickly — BYOMA Brightening Serum”
    • “sinks in immediately — BYOMA Hydrating Serum”
  • Skin Barrier Support Often MentionedNot noted
    • “helped heal my barrier — BYOMA Hydrating Serum”
    • “healed my skin barrier — BYOMA Hydrating Milky Toner”
    • “calmed my redness — BYOMA Creamy Jelly Cleanser”
  • High Price Point Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Packaging and Design Flaws Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “Opening is huge — BYOMA Brightening Toner”
  • Skin Reactions and Breakouts Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “caused acne — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Breaks me out, I got pimples from this. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “Stings if it accidentally gets into the eyes. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “Rolls off skin — BYOMA Moisturizing Gel-Cream”

Questions and answers

BYOMA or MAC: which is better?

For gentleness and skin barrier support, BYOMA achieves higher Lovi fit levels across its products on this page compared to MAC. Reviewers also note that BYOMA offers better hydration and a gentler experience, whereas MAC products on this page contain fragrance and often cause sensitivity.

What is the difference between BYOMA and MAC?

When comparing the products on this page, BYOMA is founded in the United Kingdom and offers better results for gentleness and skin barrier support, while MAC is founded in Canada and is better known for makeup bases and primers. Reviewers note that MAC products often feature strong fragrances, whereas almost all BYOMA products list no fragrance.

BYOMA or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

When comparing moisturizers, BYOMA performs better for skin barrier support and gentleness, while MAC offers lighter options suited as makeup bases, though the products on this page show that BYOMA's moisturizers achieve higher Lovi fit levels across most skin types. Lovi finds that BYOMA's formulas are generally fragrance-free, whereas all MAC moisturizers on this page contain fragrance.

Which is more affordable, BYOMA or MAC?

BYOMA is more affordable than MAC, as MAC has a high price point while BYOMA does not carry that drawback on the products on this page.

Which causes fewer breakouts, BYOMA or MAC?

BYOMA may cause fewer breakouts than MAC, as review themes on the products on this page indicate that MAC is associated with skin reactions and breakouts.

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

Between BYOMA and MAC, BYOMA offers better options for dry skin with superior Lovi fit ratings across multiple moisturizers and cleansers on this page. Reviewers frequently note that BYOMA products provide instant hydration and help strengthen the skin barrier.

How do the fragrance ingredients compare between BYOMA and MAC skincare products?

BYOMA products on this page are mostly fragrance-free, with 16 out of 17 listing no fragrance. In contrast, all MAC products on this page include fragrance.

Which brand has products specifically designed for skin with dark spots?

BYOMA has several products on this page that fit skin with dark spots at a High level, whereas MAC features none with that specific fit. Lovi rates multiple BYOMA items, such as the Hydrating Serum and Brightening Serum, as High for skin with dark spots.

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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