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Estée Lauder vs MAC

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

Estée Lauder and MAC are established beauty brands under the same parent company, offering distinct formulations tailored to different complexions. Estée Lauder provides a comprehensive range of moisturizers, serums, eye products, and cleansers formulated with hydrating hyaluronic acid and glycerin, suiting acne-prone and mature skin best. Conversely, the Canadian brand focuses on daily skincare through reliable moisturizers and makeup removers crafted from carefully balanced formulas that suit balanced skin. While both share corporate ownership, they differ through the American brand's targeted focus on nourishing anti-aging and blemish care versus the latter brand's gentle approach to daily maintenance.

Estée Lauder is an American skincare brand founded in 1946 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc..

en.wikipedia.orgelcompanies.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 Estée Lauder and MAC products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Estée Lauder vs MAC products

People Say

Estée LauderMAC
  • Deep hydration and moisturization Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin drinks it up immediately — Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair”
    • “Absorbs quickly into the skin — Estée Lauder Revitalizing Supreme+”
    • “Sits beautifully under makeup — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “Removes waterproof mascara completely without needing a separate remover. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • High price and expensive products Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “way too expensive for the size — Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair”
    • “too pricey — Estée Lauder Micro Essence Treatment Lotion”
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “A bit expensive — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”

Questions and answers

Estée Lauder or MAC: which is better?

Estée Lauder offers a much wider selection of skincare products on this page than MAC, featuring items that Lovi rates as Superior or High for a variety of skin types. Reviewers frequently note that Estée Lauder provides deep hydration, while the products on this page from both brands share a high price point.

What is the difference between Estée Lauder and MAC?

Estée Lauder offers a broader selection of fourteen skincare products on this page featuring key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, whereas MAC provides only three products. Lovi rates deep hydration equally for both brands, and reviewers note high price points as a common drawback for each.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Estée Lauder or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

When comparing moisturizers, Estée Lauder provides options like Revitalizing Supreme+ with an Average Lovi fit for mature and dry skin, while MAC offers options like Hyper Real Serumizer and Mineralize Timecheck Lotion with High to Average fits. Reviewers note that MAC moisturizers tend to have a lightweight feel and serve as good makeup bases, whereas Estée Lauder products on this page frequently provide deep hydration.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, Estée Lauder or MAC?

When it comes to affordability, reviewers mostly mention a high price point as a drawback for both Estée Lauder and MAC on the products on this page, meaning neither brand is notably more budget-friendly than the other.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Estée Lauder or MAC?

When it comes to breakouts, the products on this page show that Estée Lauder fits acne-prone skin best with high or superior Lovi ratings for cleansers like Advanced Night Cleansing Gelée, while MAC products on this page generally receive average fit ratings for acne-prone skin.

How do the fragrance levels and sensitivities compare between Estée Lauder and MAC skincare products?

Estée Lauder products on this page are mostly fragrance-free with 12 of 14 items listing no fragrance, whereas all 3 MAC products contain fragrance. Reviewers note strong fragrance and sensitivity issues as a concern for MAC, while Estée Lauder users sometimes mention strong fragrance alongside gentle and non-drying cleansers.

Which brand offers more cleanser options that fit dry sensitive skin best?

Estée Lauder offers more cleanser options that fit dry sensitive skin best, as the products on this page include the Advanced Night Cleansing Gelée and Soft Clean Moisture Rich Foaming Cleanser with High or Average fit levels. Glycerin is a key ingredient across the products on this page that helps support skin hydration.

When comparing the morning routines, what are the differences in SPF and toner recommendations between the two brands?

The example Estée Lauder morning routine includes both a hydrating toner and an SPF, whereas MAC has no morning routine listed on this page.

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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