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Good Molecules vs MAC

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

Good Molecules and MAC are beauty brands that offer daily skincare essentials built for different complexions. The American brand is celebrated for its targeted serums, nourishing moisturizers, soothing eye products, and clarifying exfoliants featuring glycerin and hyaluronic acid, while the Canadian brand is beloved for its reliable moisturizers and makeup removers crafted from carefully balanced formulas. Products from the former suit dry skin and mature skin best, whereas the offerings from the latter suit balanced skin best. Ultimately, they differ through their foundational ingredients and specific target audiences, with the Beautylish, Inc.-owned line emphasizing deep hydration and barrier support and The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.-owned line providing a measured foundation for daily maintenance.

Good Molecules is an American skincare brand founded in 2019 and owned by Beautylish, Inc..

beautymatter.comgoodmolecules.compitchbook.compreqin.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 Good Molecules and MAC products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Good Molecules vs MAC products

People Say

Good MoleculesMAC
  • Lightweight and non-greasy 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”
    • “absorbs quickly... zero irritation or tacky feeling — Good Molecules Discoloration Correcting Serum”
  • Affordable price and great value Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “best value for money — Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
    • “great value — Good Molecules Niacinamide Serum”
  • Layers well and works with makeup Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “foundation glides on — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Sits beautifully under makeup — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “works well under makeup — Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
  • Gentle formula and soothing care Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “no skin purging — Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream”
    • “leaves my face feeling clean without the drying — Good Molecules Hydrating Facial Cleansing Gel”
    • “Does not cause breakouts — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “Doesn't sting my eyes or blur my vision. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Improves skin texture and smoothness Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “skin looks like brand new baby skin — Good Molecules Overnight Exfoliating Treatment”
    • “Leaves skin "baby soft," "super smooth," "polished feel" — Good Molecules Pineapple Exfoliating Powder”
    • “softened fine lines — Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream”
    • “petal-soft skin — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Hydrates and plumps the skin Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “skin appears smooth and supple — Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
    • “Skin feels bouncy — Good Molecules Super Peptide Serum”
    • “Leaves skin feeling soft and supple, never tight. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • High price point Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Unpleasant scent or scent expectations Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Strong bergamot smell — Good Molecules Super Peptide Serum”
    • “weird faint smell — Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream”
    • “smelled of glycolic acid — Good Molecules Overnight Exfoliating Treatment”
    • “scent is overpowering — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Slow, no, or limited results Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “didn't really see a difference — Good Molecules Discoloration Correcting Serum”
    • “No change in circles — Good Molecules Yerba Mate Wake Up Eye Gel”
    • “Don't expect miracles — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”

Questions and answers

Good Molecules or MAC: which is better?

Good Molecules is better for budget-friendly routines and fragrance-free formulas, whereas MAC is better for lightweight textures that layer well under makeup. The products on this page for Good Molecules are well-liked for fading dark spots and offering great value, while MAC formulas feature added fragrance.

What is the difference between Good Molecules and MAC?

Good Molecules offers a wide range of affordable skincare products that focus on hydration and fading dark spots, while MAC provides fewer options with a higher price point and formulas that contain fragrance. Good Molecules is a better fit for dry, mature, and combination skin, whereas MAC is known for its lightweight makeup bases and primers.

Good Molecules or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

Good Molecules is better for affordable and hydrating moisturizers, while MAC stands out for lightweight formulas that layer well under makeup. On this page, Good Molecules Squalane Oil achieves a High fit for dry skin, whereas MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion achieves a High fit for dry, sensitive, and acne-prone skin.

Which is more affordable, Good Molecules or MAC?

Good Molecules is much more affordable than MAC, as reviewers frequently highlight its budget-friendly serums and moisturizers compared to MAC's high price point.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Good Molecules or MAC?

When it comes to breakouts, Good Molecules offers products on this page like its Hyaluronic Acid Serum that have a High fit for acne-prone skin, while MAC's products generally have an Average fit. Reviewers sometimes note that Good Molecules can cause breakouts, but the products on this page list no fragrance, unlike MAC where every product lists fragrance which may trigger sensitivity.

Which brand has more products without fragrance, Good Molecules or MAC?

Good Molecules has more products without fragrance, as every product on their page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas all products on the MAC page contain fragrance.

Which brand is owned by Beautylish, Inc., Good Molecules or MAC?

Good Molecules is owned by Beautylish, Inc., whereas MAC is owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.

Which brand offers a sunscreen product on this page, Good Molecules or MAC?

Good Molecules offers a sunscreen product on this page, the Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30, whereas MAC does not list any sunscreen products.

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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