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No7 vs MAC

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

No7 and MAC are distinct skincare houses established respectively in Britain in 1935 and Canada in 1984. The former offers serums, eye products, moisturizers, sunscreens, and more built around vitamin C, shea butter, and hyaluronic acid, suiting mature skin and dry skin best. Conversely, the latter is beloved for its thoughtful approach to daily skincare, offering reliable moisturizers and makeup removers crafted from carefully balanced formulas that suit balanced skin best. While both cater thoughtfully to targeted concerns, the British brand features protective shea butter and specialized nighttime care, whereas the Canadian brand provides a calm and measured foundation for daily maintenance.

No7 is a British skincare brand founded in 1935 and owned by Sycamore Partners since 2025.

cosmeticsbusiness.comen.wikipedia.org

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 No7 and MAC products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular No7 vs MAC products

People Say

No7MAC
  • Hydration and radiance Often 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”
    • “Skin feels moisturized — No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal Night Cream”
  • Makeup compatibility Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “foundation glides on — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Sits beautifully under makeup — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “Wears well under makeup — No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal Serum”
  • Skin feel and texture Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “Skin feels softer — No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal Serum”
    • “skin feels so soft — No7 Total Renewal Micro-Dermabrasion Exfoliator”
    • “skin feels velvety — No7 Pure Retinol”
  • Radiance and glow Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “lit-from-within look — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “healthier glow — No7 Total Renewal Micro-Dermabrasion Exfoliator”
  • Gentle formula and irritation Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “zero irritation — No7 Pure Retinol Eye Cream”
    • “soothing on skin — No7 Restore & Renew Multi Action Eye Cream”
    • “good for sensitive skin — No7 Pure Retinol”
    • “Does not cause breakouts — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Instant smoothing Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Reduces appearance of pores — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Price point Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Expensive for amount provided — No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal Serum”
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Lack of results Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Don't expect miracles — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “No change in wrinkles/spots — No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal Serum”
  • Fragrance and scent Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Too much fragrance — No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal Night Cream”
    • “overpowering — No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Night Cream”
    • “Scent is overpowering — No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Day Cream”
    • “scent is overpowering — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Skin reactions and irritation Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “caused acne — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “burned my skin — No7 Pure Retinol”

Questions and answers

No7 or MAC: which is better?

No7 offers a wider range of products on this page with better fit levels for mature and dry skin, while MAC excels in makeup compatibility and hydration. Reviewers note that No7 is generally gentler, whereas MAC products on this page all contain fragrance.

What is the difference between No7 and MAC?

No7 offers a wide range of skincare products that focus on anti-aging, hydration, and skin texture improvements, whereas MAC provides fewer skincare options that lean toward lightweight moisturizers and makeup bases. No7 features many fragrance-free products and tends to fit dry and mature skin types well, while MAC products on this page all contain fragrance and are noted for higher price points and strong fragrance sensitivity.

No7 or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

For a moisturizer, No7 is a better choice than MAC for shoppers seeking gentle formulations and anti-aging benefits, as its products on this page feature key ingredients like niacinamide and retinol. Reviewers note that No7 is generally better for gentle formulas and avoiding irritation, while MAC moisturizers often feature strong fragrance.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Which is more affordable, No7 or MAC?

When it comes to affordability, No7 does better on price point compared to MAC, whose products often come with a high price tag.

Which causes fewer breakouts, No7 or MAC?

No7 helps provide a gentler formula with less irritation than MAC, while the products on this page for both brands generally suit acne-prone skin at an Average or High fit level.

How does the founding year and location differ between No7 and MAC?

No7 was founded in 1935 in the United Kingdom, whereas MAC was founded in 1984 in Canada.

Which products from No7 and MAC contain fragrance according to the page?

According to the page, the No7 products that contain fragrance are the Future Renew Damage Reversal Night Cream, Lift & Luminate Day Cream, and Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Day Cream, while all 3 MAC products on the page list fragrance.

What are the main skin types that No7 fits best according to its brand-focused routines?

According to its brand-focused routines, No7 fits mature skin, dry skin, and dry sensitive skin best.

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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