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BYOMA vs MAC

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

BYOMA and MAC are two distinct beauty lines offering thoughtful daily essentials, with the British brand focusing on ceramide-rich formulas and the Canadian label relying on balanced ingredients for routine maintenance. The former features moisturizers and serums that suit dry skin best, whereas the latter provides reliable cleansing and moisturizing options tailored for balanced skin. While both labels support healthy complexions, they differ through their core formulations, as the younger line targets barrier hydration and the established name delivers a measured foundation for everyday wear.

BYOMA is a British skincare brand founded in 2022 and owned by Bansk Group since 2025.

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

Popular BYOMA vs MAC products

People Say

BYOMAMAC
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin feels so hydrated — BYOMA Hydrating Milky Toner”
    • “feels refreshing on the skin — BYOMA Balancing Face Mist”
    • “absorbs quickly — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Absorbs in a snap — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Gentleness and Sensitivity Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “doesn't strip skin — BYOMA Creamy Jelly Cleanser”
    • “no irritation at all — BYOMA Sensitive Retinol Oil”
    • “great for sensitive skin — BYOMA Balancing Face Mist”
    • “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”
  • Skin Texture Improvement Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Reduces appearance of pores — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “petal-soft skin — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Keeps my face soft and not oily — BYOMA Brightening Toner”
  • Texture and Absorption Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “Absorbs instantly — BYOMA Moisturizing Gel-Cream”
    • “sinks in quickly — BYOMA Brightening Serum”
    • “sinks in immediately — BYOMA Hydrating Serum”
  • Skin Barrier Support Often MentionedNot noted
    • “helped heal my barrier — BYOMA Hydrating Serum”
    • “healed my skin barrier — BYOMA Hydrating Milky Toner”
    • “calmed my redness — BYOMA Creamy Jelly Cleanser”
  • High Price Point Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Packaging and Design Flaws Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “Opening is huge — BYOMA Brightening Toner”
  • Skin Reactions and Breakouts 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”
    • “Rolls off skin — BYOMA Moisturizing Gel-Cream”

Questions and answers

BYOMA or MAC: which is better?

BYOMA is a better fit for dry and sensitive skin, as Lovi rates many of the products on this page as Superior for those skin types, while reviewers frequently note MAC products contain strong fragrance that may cause sensitivity.

What is the difference between BYOMA and MAC?

BYOMA focuses heavily on barrier-strengthening, fragrance-free hydration with a Superior fit for dry skin, whereas MAC centers its skincare on makeup bases and lightweight moisturizers but includes fragrance across the products on this page.

BYOMA or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

BYOMA offers better moisturizer options for most users on this page, achieving Superior Lovi fit levels for dry and sensitive skin types with products like the Moisturizing Rich Cream. MAC features lightweight options such as the Hyper Real Serumizer, but reviewers frequently note concerns regarding strong fragrances and sensitivity.

Which is more affordable, BYOMA or MAC?

BYOMA does better than MAC on the high price point, as high price point is sometimes noted as a negative review theme for MAC while BYOMA is considered more affordable.

Which causes fewer breakouts, BYOMA or MAC?

BYOMA does better than MAC on skin reactions and breakouts according to the review themes on this page. Lovi rates the products on this page for acne-prone skin with fit levels ranging from Average to High across the BYOMA range.

How do the founding years and corporate ownerships of BYOMA and MAC compare?

BYOMA was founded in 2022 in the United Kingdom and has been owned by Bansk Group since 2025. In contrast, MAC was founded earlier, in 1984, in Canada, and has been owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 1994.

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

BYOMA has significantly more fragrance-free products, as 16 of the 17 products on this page list no fragrance, whereas MAC has 0 of 3 fragrance-free products.

Which brand performs better for gentleness and sensitivity according to review themes?

BYOMA performs better for gentleness and sensitivity according to review themes. Reviewers often mention that BYOMA offers gentle and fragrance-free moisturizers, whereas MAC products on this page list fragrance.

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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