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Neutrogena vs MAC

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

Neutrogena and MAC are respected beauty brands that offer reliable daily skincare essentials. The American brand is celebrated for its moisturizers, sunscreens, cleansers, and toners formulated with glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and dimethicone, which suit oily acne-prone and acne-prone skin best. Meanwhile, the Canadian brand is beloved for its thoughtful daily moisturizers and makeup removers crafted from balanced formulas that suit balanced skin best. While both provide targeted solutions for diverse needs, they differ through distinct active ingredients, founding years, and ownership structures.

Neutrogena is an American skincare brand founded in 1930 and owned by Kimberly-Clark Corporation since 2026.

investor.kimberly-clark.comen.wikipedia.orginvestors.kenvue.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 Neutrogena and MAC products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Neutrogena vs MAC products

People Say

NeutrogenaMAC
  • Lightweight hydration Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Absorbs instantly without sticky residue — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
    • “Skin looked plumper and radiant — Neutrogena HYDRO BOOST WATER CREAM”
    • “absorbs quickly — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Absorbs in a snap — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Makeup compatibility and primer 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”
    • “Works well under makeup — Neutrogena HYDRO BOOST WATER CREAM”
  • Gentle and fragrance-free formulas Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “leaves skin soft and balanced — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
    • “love that it has no scent — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
    • “calms my acne prone skin — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
    • “Does not cause breakouts — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Cleansing and makeup removal Sometimes 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”
    • “Leaves skin feeling soft and supple, never tight. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “dissolves stubborn waterproof mascara — Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover”
  • Radiant glow and appearance Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “lit-from-within look — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “hasn't caused a single breakout — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
  • Anti-aging and skin texture Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Skin is looking smoother — Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream”
    • “Deep lines have softened — Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream”
    • “petal-soft skin — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Price and quantity value Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Jar is too small for the price — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
    • “Runs out quickly — Neutrogena HYDRO BOOST WATER CREAM”
    • “Tube is tiny for the cost — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Eye Gel-Cream”
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Insufficient moisture or efficacy Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Don't expect miracles — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “Felt sticky to me — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “leaves greasy film — Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover”
  • Skin and eye irritation Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “caused acne — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Stings if it accidentally gets into the eyes. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “burns my eyes terribly — Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen”
  • Fragrance and scent issues Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Smell is too overpowering and lingering — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
    • “Scent is so off-putting — Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream”
    • “has a weird plastic smell — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
    • “scent is overpowering — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”

Questions and answers

Neutrogena or MAC: which is better?

Neutrogena is better for gentle and fragrance-free formulas, while MAC is better for makeup compatibility and primer among the products on this page. Retinol helps improve skin texture in aging skin.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000

What is the difference between Neutrogena and MAC?

Neutrogena offers a much wider selection of skincare products on this page and tends to be better for gentle, fragrance-free formulas, while MAC focuses on makeup bases and primers with a higher price point. Neutrogena fits best for oily acne-prone skin, acne-prone skin, and mature skin. Retinol found in Neutrogena helps stimulate collagen accumulation in naturally aged skin.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Archives of Dermatology, 2007

Neutrogena or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

Neutrogena offers a wider variety of moisturizers on this page with higher Lovi fit levels across skin types, while MAC features fewer options like the Hyper Real Serumizer and Mineralize Timecheck Lotion. Topical retinol found in several Neutrogena moisturizers helps improve signs of aging.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Archives of Dermatology, 2007

Which is more affordable, Neutrogena or MAC?

Neutrogena is more affordable than MAC, as MAC products on this page have frequent reviews noting a high price point while Neutrogena is better for price and quantity value.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Neutrogena or MAC?

Neutrogena is better for acne-prone skin, as the products on this page achieve High to Superior Lovi fit levels for acne-prone skin and oily acne-prone skin.

How do Neutrogena and MAC compare in terms of fragrance-free product options?

Neutrogena offers far more fragrance-free product options than MAC on this page, as 35 out of 39 Neutrogena products list no fragrance compared to none of the MAC products.

Which brand offers better makeup removal and cleansing products based on reviewer feedback?

MAC offers better cleansing and makeup removal products compared to Neutrogena according to reviewer feedback.

What are the founding years and parent companies of Neutrogena and MAC?

Neutrogena was founded in 1930 in the United States and has been owned by Kimberly-Clark Corporation since 2026. MAC was founded in 1984 in Canada and is owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 1994.

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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