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CeraVe vs MAC

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

CeraVe and MAC are American and Canadian skincare brands founded in 2005 and 1984, respectively. Skincare enthusiasts love both for their thoughtfully formulated moisturizers, cleansers, serums, sunscreens, and makeup removers, which harness hydrating hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and carefully balanced formulas. While the American brand suits acne-prone skin and dry skin best through soothing formulations, the Canadian brand suits balanced skin best. Ultimately, they differ as the former relies on active ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin to perform essential functions, whereas the latter provides a calm and measured foundation for daily maintenance.

CeraVe is an American skincare brand founded in 2005 and owned by L'Oréal since 2017.

en.wikipedia.orghappi.comloreal-finance.comcerave.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 CeraVe and MAC products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular CeraVe vs MAC products

People Say

CeraVeMAC
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Saved my dry winter skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “doesn't leave face tight — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “absorbs quickly — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Absorbs in a snap — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Gentle and Sensitive Skin Care Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “no burning sensation — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “No scent, no irritation — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “Sinks in immediately — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “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”
    • “Reduces appearance of pores — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Skin Texture Improvement Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “difference in my skin's texture is noticeable — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
    • “smoother complexion — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “less greasy — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
    • “petal-soft skin — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Makeup Removal Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Removes waterproof mascara completely without needing a separate remover. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “picks up lingering makeup — CeraVe Hydrating Toner”
  • Value and Price Often MentionedNot noted
    • “reasonably priced — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “Huge tub lasts forever — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “Great everyday moisturizer — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
  • High Price Point Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive Vaseline — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Texture and Formulation Issues Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Felt sticky to me — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “Has a scent that might irritate very sensitive noses. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “feels like washing with conditioner — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
  • Breakouts and Skin Congestion Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Gave me cystic acne — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “gave me closed comedones — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “caused acne — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Breaks me out, I got pimples from this. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Burning, Irritation, and Sensitivity Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Stung my raw skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “burns my damaged skin — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “caused acne — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Stings if it accidentally gets into the eyes. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”

Questions and answers

CeraVe or MAC: which is better?

CeraVe outperforms MAC for sensitive skin and value, while MAC excels as a makeup base. CeraVe offers fragrance-free formulas and strong skin-barrier support with ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid, whereas MAC products on this page often contain added fragrance and carry a high price point.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

What is the difference between CeraVe and MAC?

CeraVe stands out for its fragrance-free formulas, budget-friendly price, and strong focus on gentle, barrier-repairing skincare, while MAC is known for its makeup bases, primers, and higher price point. Reviewers note that CeraVe performs better for skin texture improvement and sensitive skin care, whereas MAC excels in makeup removal.

CeraVe or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

CeraVe has a High fit level for moisturizers suited to dry skin, whereas MAC products on this page have an Average fit level for the same skin type.

Which is more affordable, CeraVe or MAC?

CeraVe is more affordable than MAC, as value and price are areas where CeraVe does better while MAC has a high price point.

Which causes fewer breakouts, CeraVe or MAC?

When it comes to breakouts, both brands perform equally well as review themes show no difference in breakouts and skin congestion between them. For shoppers focusing on acne-prone skin, CeraVe fits best with a high number of specialized products on the page, while MAC lists no specific skin types it fits best.

Between CeraVe and MAC, which brand offers fragrance-free skincare products?

CeraVe offers fragrance-free skincare products, as every product on the CeraVe page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas all products on the MAC page contain fragrance.

How do CeraVe and MAC compare in terms of their country of origin and parent company?

CeraVe was founded in the United States in 2005 and has been owned by L'Oréal since 2017, whereas MAC was founded in Canada in 1984 and is owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.

Which brand has more product options rated superior for dry skin?

CeraVe has more product options rated superior for dry skin among the products on this page, while MAC has none in that top tier. CeraVe offers multiple cleansers, moisturizers, and sunscreens that achieve a superior fit level for dry skin.

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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