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RoC vs MAC

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

RoC and MAC are distinct beauty brands, with the former being a French skincare line founded in 1957 and the latter a Canadian skincare line founded in 1984. The French label is beloved for expertly formulated serums, eye products, moisturizers, cleansers, and more, anchored by hardworking ingredients like glycerin and retinol, while the Canadian label is beloved for its thoughtful approach to daily skincare, offering reliable moisturizers and makeup removers crafted from carefully balanced formulas. Products from the first brand suit dry skin and skin with dark spots best, benefiting richly from dependable formulations that use glycerin to significantly increase skin hydration and barrier function and retinol to significantly reduce fine wrinkles and increase collagen, whereas products from the second brand suit balanced skin best, supported by gentle and effective ingredients. Ultimately, they differ in their targeted concerns and foundational strengths, with the first brand providing standout choices like the BARRIER RENEW GEL-TO-FOAM CLEANSER, the Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Max Hydration Cream, and the Multi Correxion Hydrate + Plump Eye Cream, while the second brand provides thoughtful offerings like the Mineralize Timecheck Lotion, the Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil, and the Hyper Real Serumizer to support daily maintenance.

RoC is a French skincare brand founded in 1957 and owned by Bridgepoint Group plc since 2024.

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

Popular RoC vs MAC products

People Say

RoCMAC
  • Non-Greasy and Lightweight Formula Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “absorbs quickly — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Absorbs in a snap — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “Emulsifies beautifully and rinses off without a greasy film. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “absorbs nicely — RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream”
  • 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”
  • Wrinkle and Fine Line Reduction Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “wrinkles look less deep — RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream”
    • “Fine lines definitely softer — RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream”
    • “diminished my forehead lines — RoC Derm Correxion Fill + Treat Serum”
  • Gentleness on Sensitive Skin Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Does not cause breakouts — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “Doesn't sting my eyes or blur my vision. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “doesn't leave my skin feeling tight — RoC BARRIER RENEW® GEL-TO-FOAM CLEANSER”
  • Makeup Removal and Cleansing Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Removes waterproof mascara completely without needing a separate remover. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “Leaves skin feeling soft and supple, never tight. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “lathers a lot — RoC Daily Resurfacing Disks”
  • Skin Texture and Smoothing Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “face looked smoother — RoC Daily Resurfacing Disks”
    • “skin feels silky smooth — RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream”
    • “skin feels like silk — RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Serum”
    • “petal-soft skin — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • High Price Point Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “small bottle — RoC Multi Correxion Revive + Glow Daily Serum”
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Strong Fragrance and Scent Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like perfume — RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream”
    • “smell is too strong — RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Serum”
    • “perfume smell is too strong — RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Max Hydration Cream”
    • “scent is overpowering — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Skin Irritation and Burning Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “caused acne — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Stings if it accidentally gets into the eyes. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “caused redness and stinging — RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream”

Questions and answers

RoC or MAC: which is better?

RoC and MAC each suit different needs, as RoC is better for wrinkle and fine line reduction while MAC performs better as a makeup base and primer. Additionally, topical retinol helps stimulate collagen accumulation in naturally aged human skin.

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

What is the difference between RoC and MAC?

RoC focuses heavily on anti-aging with retinol and vitamin C in the products on this page, whereas MAC specializes in lightweight moisturizers and makeup bases. Reviewers note that RoC provides better wrinkle reduction, while MAC excels as a makeup base and primer.

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

RoC or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

For moisturizers, RoC fits dry skin, mature skin, and skin with dark spots at a High level on this page. MAC products on this page also feature lightweight moisturizers that reviewers mention often.

Which is more affordable, RoC or MAC?

MAC is generally more expensive, whereas RoC reviewers note good value, though RoC is also mentioned for a high price point.

Which causes fewer breakouts, RoC or MAC?

When it comes to acne-prone skin, the products on this page for RoC include items like the BARRIER RENEW GEL-TO-FOAM CLEANSER which has a High Lovi fit level for acne-prone skin, whereas MAC does not highlight specific breakout-fighting benefits. Reviewers note that RoC helps with wrinkle reduction while MAC focuses more on lightweight moisturizers.

Which brand has more products that are free of fragrance, RoC or MAC?

RoC has more products that are free of fragrance, with 10 out of 12 products on this page listing no fragrance compared to none for MAC.

How does the founding year and country of origin compare between RoC and MAC?

RoC was founded in 1984 in Canada, whereas MAC was founded in 1957 in France.

Which brand's products are better rated for reducing wrinkles and fine lines?

RoC products are better rated for reducing wrinkles and fine lines, with reviewers mostly mentioning wrinkle and fine line reduction as a key benefit. Topical retinol helps stimulate collagen accumulation and improve the signs of aging in human skin.

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

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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