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Clinique vs MAC

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

Clinique and MAC are Estée Lauder Companies Inc. brands that offer thoughtful moisturizers and makeup removers. The American skincare brand incorporates hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and caffeine for dry sensitive and oily skin, while the Canadian skincare brand uses balanced formulas for balanced skin. Both brands provide reliable daily care, yet Clinique addresses specific concerns with targeted ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, whereas MAC relies on gentle formulations for steady maintenance.

Clinique is an American skincare brand founded in 1968 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc..

en.wikipedia.orgelcompanies.combusinesswire.comglossy.co

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

Popular Clinique vs MAC products

People Say

CliniqueMAC
  • Lightweight and Fast-Absorbing Texture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “absorbs quickly — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Absorbs in a snap — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “Emulsifies beautifully and rinses off without a greasy film. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “sinks in immediately — Clinique moisture surge”
  • Makeup Primer and Base Compatibility Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “foundation glides on — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Sits beautifully under makeup — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “Reduces appearance of pores — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “foundation glides on — Clinique moisture surge”
  • Sensitive Skin Care and Gentle Formula Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “never irritated my eyes — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “No stinging eyes — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “cools the heat in my cheeks — Clinique Redness Solutions Daily Relief Cream”
    • “Does not cause breakouts — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Effective Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Keeps my dry patches at bay all day — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
    • “skin feels soft and smooth — Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask”
    • “Leaves skin feeling soft and supple, never tight. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Skin Plumping and Smoothing Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “skin feels silky smooth — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
    • “glass skin look — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “visibly plumped up — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
    • “petal-soft skin — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Makeup Melting and Removal Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Removes waterproof mascara completely without needing a separate remover. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “Melts waterproof mascara — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
  • High Price and Value Issues Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “jar is too small for the cost — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “quite pricey — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
    • “Expensive for cleanser — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Skin Breakouts and Irritation 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”
    • “Woke up with whiteheads on my chin — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
  • Unpleasant Scent and Strong Fragrance Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Smells like nail polish remover — Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2”
    • “Smells like old oil — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “Has a weird plastic-like smell — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
    • “scent is overpowering — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”

Questions and answers

Clinique or MAC: which is better?

Clinique is better for sensitive skin care and gentle formulas since every product on this page lists no fragrance, whereas MAC products on this page all contain fragrance. Lovi gives Clinique a High fit for sensitive skin with items like Redness Solutions Soothing Cleanser.

What is the difference between Clinique and MAC?

Clinique generally performs better for sensitive skin care and gentle formulas, whereas MAC is favored for its makeup primer and base compatibility and lightweight, fast-absorbing textures. Lovi gives Clinique high fit levels for dry sensitive skin, oily skin, and mature skin across the products on this page, while MAC includes fragrance in its products.

Clinique or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

Clinique features a wide range of moisturizers with fragrance-free formulas that fit dry sensitive skin and oily skin with High or Superior Lovi levels, while MAC offers lightweight options like Mineralize Timecheck Lotion that also fit dry sensitive skin with a High level. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, Clinique or MAC?

Both Clinique and MAC share the high price point as a common drawback noted by reviewers, so neither brand is more affordable on the products on this page.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Clinique or MAC?

Clinique may cause fewer breakouts than MAC, as review themes note that skin breakouts and irritation are associated more with MAC among the products on this page.

Which brand has products with no fragrance listed in their ingredients, Clinique or MAC?

Clinique has products on this page that list no fragrance in their ingredients, while MAC does not.

Which brand fits dry sensitive skin, oily skin, and mature skin best according to brand-focused routines?

According to the brand-focused routines, Clinique fits dry sensitive skin, oily skin, and mature skin best. MAC does not list any specific best-fit skin types for its routines on this page.

Which brand offers better performance for sensitive skin care and gentle formulas?

Clinique performs better for sensitive skin care and gentle formulas, as every product on the page lists no fragrance in its ingredients. Reviewers also note that Clinique does better for sensitive skin care and gentle formulas compared to MAC, which has strong fragrance and sensitivity issues.

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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