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Pixi vs MAC

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

Pixi and MAC are distinct beauty brands offering thoughtful daily routines, with the former founded in Britain in 1999 and the latter established in Canada in 1984. Pixi is known for its nourishing toners, targeted serums, soothing eye products, and hydrating moisturizers, suiting sensitive and dry sensitive skin best, whereas MAC is beloved for its reliable moisturizers and makeup removers, suiting balanced skin best. Both utilize carefully balanced formulas, with the British brand featuring standout solutions like the Glow Tonic, Glow Peel Pads, and Retinol Tonic, and the Canadian counterpart offering the Mineralize Timecheck Lotion, Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil, and Hyper Real Serumizer. Ultimately, they differ through their specialized ingredients and targeted approaches, delivering comforting care for diverse complexion needs.

Pixi is a British skincare brand founded in 1999.

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

Popular Pixi vs MAC products

People Say

PixiMAC
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly 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”
    • “Instant surge of hydration — Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist”
  • Radiance and Glow Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “gives instant glow — Pixi Glow Tonic”
    • “instantly cooling upon application — Pixi DetoxifEYE Depuffing Eye Patches”
    • “Skin is noticeably brighter — Pixi Glow Peel Pads”
    • “lit-from-within look — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • 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”
  • Lightweight Texture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Absorbs quickly — Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist”
    • “unique gel-like texture — Pixi Antioxidant Tonic”
    • “Emulsifies beautifully and rinses off without a greasy film. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Gentle Exfoliation and Texture Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Skin feels incredible, so smooth — Pixi Glow Peel Pads”
    • “doesn't sting — Pixi Glow Tonic”
    • “forehead bumps gone — Pixi Glow Tonic”
    • “petal-soft skin — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Soothing and Calming Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “calms my redness instantly — Pixi Rose Tonic”
    • “Gentle enough for regular use — Pixi Retinol Tonic”
    • “knocks my redness down — Pixi Antioxidant Tonic”
    • “Does not cause breakouts — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Price and Value Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Bottle is too small — Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist”
    • “Slight downside is the price — Pixi Glow Peel Pads”
    • “bottle is very small — Pixi Rose Oil Blend”
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Fragrance and Scent Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “smell is overpowering — Pixi Glow Tonic”
    • “Scent is too strong — Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist”
    • “scent is overpowering — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Has a scent that might irritate very sensitive noses. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Application and Packaging Issues Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Felt sticky to me — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “slippery and won't stay put — Pixi DetoxifEYE Depuffing Eye Patches”

Questions and answers

Pixi or MAC: which is better?

Pixi is better for radiance and glow, gentle exfoliation, soothing dry skin, and budget-friendly value, whereas MAC does better with hydration, moisture, makeup bases, and primers. Hyaluronic acid helps retain moisture in the skin.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

What is the difference between Pixi and MAC?

Pixi offers a wide selection of toners, mists, and serums that reviewers praise for radiance and gentle exfoliation, whereas MAC features a smaller lineup of moisturizers and cleansers known for acting as great makeup bases. Pixi products on this page often fit sensitive and dry skin best, while reviewers note that MAC items tend to have a higher price point.

Pixi or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

When it comes to moisturizers on this page, Pixi offers the Rose Oil Blend, while MAC features the Hyper Real Serumizer and Mineralize Timecheck Lotion. Reviewers note that MAC delivers better hydration and moisture, whereas Pixi provides a better price and value.

Which is more affordable, Pixi or MAC?

When it comes to affordability, Pixi does better than MAC since reviewers often note MAC for its high price point.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Pixi or MAC?

Both brands offer products for acne-prone skin, but Pixi features specific options like Retinol Tonic that have a Superior fit for acne-prone skin, whereas MAC products on this page have an Average fit for it.

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

How do the founding years and parent companies of Pixi and MAC compare?

Pixi was founded in 1999 in the United Kingdom and is owned by an independent company, whereas MAC was founded in 1984 in Canada and has been owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 1994.

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

Pixi has more fragrance-free products than MAC. On this page, seven out of ten Pixi products list no fragrance, whereas all three MAC products contain fragrance.

What specific skin types does Pixi fit best according to its brand-focused routines?

According to its brand-focused routines, Pixi fits sensitive skin, dry sensitive skin, and dry skin best.

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.

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