🇮🇹Italy

SKIN1004 vs MAC

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

SKIN1004 and MAC are established beauty brands offering thoughtful formulas for daily maintenance. The Korean brand, founded in 2012, is known for soothing toners, comforting moisturizers, reliable sunscreens, and nourishing masks crafted with pure centella, hydrating hyaluronic acid, and brightening niacinamide to best suit sensitive and acne-prone skin. Meanwhile, the Canadian brand, founded in 1984, is beloved for reliable moisturizers and makeup removers crafted from carefully balanced formulas to best suit balanced skin. While both offer targeted options like standout lotions, cleansing oils, and serums for concerns such as dark spots and mature skin, they differ in their primary ingredient philosophies and ideal skin types.

SKIN1004 is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2012 and owned by Goodai Global Inc. since 2024.

mk.co.krpitchbook.comtracxn.comgoodai-global.com

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 SKIN1004 and MAC products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular SKIN1004 vs MAC products

People Say

SKIN1004MAC
  • Hydration and Moisture Levels 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”
    • “Gives my dehydrated skin a moisture surge — SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Watergel Sheet Ampoule Mask”
  • Soothing and Gentle Formulas Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “calmed my angry skin — SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Toning Toner”
    • “Eliminated redness on my easily irritated skin — SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Watergel Sheet Ampoule Mask”
    • “Calms irritation instantly — SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Quick Calming Pad”
    • “Doesn't sting my eyes or blur my vision. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Makeup Compatibility and Base Rarely 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”
    • “grips foundation like a dream — SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum”
  • Lightweight and Fast-Absorbing Texture Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “sunk in like a dream — SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum”
    • “zero white cast — SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum”
    • “Turns milky immediately and washes off completely. — SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil”
  • Cleansing Performance Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Removes waterproof mascara completely without needing a separate remover. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “Emulsifies beautifully and rinses off without a greasy film. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “Dissolves waterproof mascara and sunscreen effortlessly. — SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil”
  • Exfoliation and Skin Smoothing Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “skin feels super soft — SKIN1004 Zombie Pack”
    • “strong tightening effect — SKIN1004 Zombie Pack”
    • “petal-soft skin — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Price Point Concerns Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Price is quite steep — SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Watergel Sheet Ampoule Mask”
    • “Pricey for daily use — SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Quick Calming Pad”
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Scent and Fragrance Dislikes Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like wet dog — SKIN1004 Zombie Pack”
    • “Has a strong herbal/citrus scent I didn't enjoy. — SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil”
    • “scent is overpowering — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Has a scent that might irritate very sensitive noses. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Unnoticeable or Slow Results Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “didn't notice any tone change — SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Tone Brightening Cleansing Gel Foam”
    • “No drastic change yet — SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Tone Brightening Boosting Toner”
    • “Don't expect miracles — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”

Questions and answers

SKIN1004 or MAC: which is better?

SKIN1004 is better for soothing and gentle formulas as well as lightweight textures, whereas MAC is better for makeup compatibility, hydration, and cleansing performance. Lovi rates SKIN1004 as having High to Superior fit levels for sensitive and acne-prone skin, while the products on this page for both brands feature key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

What is the difference between SKIN1004 and MAC?

SKIN1004 products on this page are rated as having High to Superior fit levels for sensitive and acne-prone skin, whereas MAC products on this page generally feature Average fit levels for those skin types. Reviewers note that SKIN1004 offers soothing and gentle formulas, while MAC stands out for its makeup compatibility and base.

SKIN1004 or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

SKIN1004 does better for lightweight and fast-absorbing textures, while MAC does better for hydration and moisture levels. SKIN1004 features fragrance-free moisturizers on the products on this page, whereas MAC products on this page list fragrance.

Which is more affordable, SKIN1004 or MAC?

MAC is noted for high price point concerns, while SKIN1004 does better with price point concerns as shown in the review themes on this page.

Which causes fewer breakouts, SKIN1004 or MAC?

SKIN1004 is better for avoiding breakouts, as the products on this page fit acne-prone skin best and contain no fragrance.

Which brand has more fragrance-free products, SKIN1004 or MAC?

SKIN1004 has more fragrance-free products than MAC, as every product on the SKIN1004 page lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Which brand is better for soothing and gentle formulas, SKIN1004 or MAC?

SKIN1004 does better for soothing and gentle formulas compared to MAC. Every product on the SKIN1004 page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas all MAC products on this page contain fragrance.

When was SKIN1004 founded compared to MAC?

SKIN1004 was founded in 2012 in South Korea, whereas MAC was founded earlier in 1984 in Canada.

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?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play