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CeraVe vs MAC

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

CeraVe and MAC are two distinct brands offering daily skincare essentials, with the former founded in 2005 and owned by L'Oréal, and the latter established in 1984 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. Skincare enthusiasts love CeraVe for dependable moisturizers, gentle cleansers, targeted serums, protective sunscreens, and other daily formulas enriched with hyaluronic acid and glycerin, while MAC is beloved for its thoughtful approach to daily skincare, offering reliable moisturizers and makeup removers crafted from carefully balanced formulas. The American brand suits mature skin and dry skin best, whereas the Canadian brand suits balanced skin best, supported by gentle and effective ingredients. They differ in their core formulations, as the former focuses heavily on barrier health and moisture retention with ingredients like glycerin, while the latter provides a calm and measured foundation for daily maintenance.

CeraVe is an American skincare brand founded in 2005 and owned by L'Oréal since 2017.

en.wikipedia.orghappi.comloreal-finance.comcerave.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 CeraVe and MAC products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular CeraVe vs MAC products

People Say

CeraVeMAC
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Saved my dry winter skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “doesn't leave face tight — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “absorbs quickly — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Absorbs in a snap — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Gentle and Sensitive Skin Care Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “no burning sensation — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “No scent, no irritation — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “Sinks in immediately — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “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”
    • “Reduces appearance of pores — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Skin Texture Improvement Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “difference in my skin's texture is noticeable — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
    • “smoother complexion — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “less greasy — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
    • “petal-soft skin — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Makeup Removal Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Removes waterproof mascara completely without needing a separate remover. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “picks up lingering makeup — CeraVe Hydrating Toner”
  • Value and Price Often MentionedNot noted
    • “reasonably priced — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “Huge tub lasts forever — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “Great everyday moisturizer — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
  • High Price Point Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive Vaseline — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Texture and Formulation Issues Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Felt sticky to me — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “Has a scent that might irritate very sensitive noses. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “feels like washing with conditioner — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
  • Breakouts and Skin Congestion Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Gave me cystic acne — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “gave me closed comedones — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “caused acne — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Breaks me out, I got pimples from this. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Burning, Irritation, and Sensitivity Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Stung my raw skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “burns my damaged skin — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “caused acne — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Stings if it accidentally gets into the eyes. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”

Questions and answers

CeraVe or MAC: which is better?

CeraVe and MAC both serve different skin care needs, with CeraVe being better for value, gentle care, and skin texture improvement, while MAC is better for makeup bases, primers, and makeup removal. CeraVe achieves a High fit level for dry skin and mature skin across the products on this page.

What is the difference between CeraVe and MAC?

CeraVe offers a wider range of products with a focus on fragrance-free formulations, gentle cleansing, and barrier repair, whereas MAC features fewer products that often include fragrance and lean toward makeup bases and primers. Reviewers note that CeraVe provides better value and skin texture improvement, while MAC is known for its high price point and strong fragrance.

CeraVe or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

CeraVe has a High fit level for moisturizers suited to dry skin, whereas MAC products on this page often feature fragrance and higher prices. CeraVe moisturizers help deliver deep hydration with key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

Which is more affordable, CeraVe or MAC?

CeraVe is more affordable than MAC, as reviewers frequently note MAC's high price point while CeraVe is rated better for value and price.

Which causes fewer breakouts, CeraVe or MAC?

Both brands perform equally when it comes to breakouts and skin congestion, as reviewers note occasional breakouts as a concern for each. However, CeraVe features a wider range of products formulated specifically to help oily and acne-prone skin.

How do CeraVe and MAC compare in terms of fragrance-free formulations?

CeraVe offers fragrance-free options because every product on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas MAC includes fragrance across its entire range of products on this page.

Which brand offers better options for acne-prone skin?

CeraVe offers better options for acne-prone skin, providing cleansers and treatments with a high fit level across the products on this page, whereas MAC does not.

When were CeraVe and MAC founded and who owns them?

CeraVe was founded in 2005 in the United States and has been owned by L'Oréal since 2017. MAC was founded in 1984 in Canada and has been owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 1994.

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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