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Allies of Skin vs MAC

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

Allies of Skin and MAC are distinct skincare collections that offer targeted solutions for varying complexions. Allies of Skin is loved for its luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, and targeted eye products formulated with powerhouse ingredients like niacinamide, suiting acne-prone skin and oily acne-prone skin best thanks to formulas that respect congestion-prone barriers. Meanwhile, MAC is a Canadian skincare brand founded in 1984 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 1994, beloved for its thoughtful approach to daily skincare, offering reliable moisturizers and makeup removers crafted from carefully balanced formulas that suit balanced skin best, supported by gentle and effective ingredients. Both brands differ in their core philosophies, as the former focuses on specialized active treatments while the latter provides a calm and measured foundation for daily maintenance.

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 Allies of Skin and MAC products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Allies of Skin vs MAC products

People Say

Allies of SkinMAC
  • Hydration and Plumping 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”
    • “nourished and hydrated — Allies of Skin Peptides & Omegas Firming Eye Cream”
  • Texture and Glow Improvement Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “gives skin an instant dewy glow — Allies of Skin Tranexamic & Arbutin Advanced Brightening Serum”
    • “Woke up looking well-rested — Allies of Skin Retinal & Peptides Repair Night Cream”
    • “creamy and consistent — Allies of Skin Peptides & Omegas Firming Eye Cream”
    • “lit-from-within look — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Makeup Primer and Base Benefits 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 Calming and Redness Reduction Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “Best retinol for sensitive skin — Allies of Skin Retinal & Peptides Repair Night Cream”
    • “Redness is less noticeable — Allies of Skin Copper Tripeptide & Ectoin Advanced Repair Serum”
    • “feels super soothing, doesn't trigger redness — Allies of Skin Tranexamic & Arbutin Advanced Brightening Serum”
  • Anti-Aging, Firming, and Brightening Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “scars visibly lightened after I started using this — Allies of Skin Tranexamic & Arbutin Advanced Brightening Serum”
    • “fix the fine lines — Allies of Skin Peptides & Omegas Firming Eye Cream”
    • “Gives me a nice youthful glow — Allies of Skin Peptides & Antioxidants Firming Daily Treatment”
  • High Price and Value Concerns Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Pricey — Allies of Skin Copper Tripeptide & Ectoin Advanced Repair Serum”
    • “price definitely hurts — Allies of Skin Tranexamic & Arbutin Advanced Brightening Serum”
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “A bit expensive — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Scents, Fragrance, and Finish Issues Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “didn't like how sticky face feels — Allies of Skin Molecular Saviour Probiotics Treatment Mist”
    • “Distinct rancid smell — Allies of Skin Copper Tripeptide & Ectoin Advanced Repair Serum”
    • “scent is overpowering — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “contains glitter — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Irritation, Purging, and Breakouts Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Slightly irritating... when I first started — Allies of Skin Copper Tripeptide & Ectoin Advanced Repair Serum”
    • “rashes popped up on my neck — Allies of Skin Tranexamic & Arbutin Advanced Brightening Serum”
    • “Skin may be in purging stage — Allies of Skin Retinal & Peptides Repair Night Cream”
    • “caused acne — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Slow or Insufficient Results Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Don't expect miracles — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “still not impressed with the results — Allies of Skin Tranexamic & Arbutin Advanced Brightening Serum”

Questions and answers

Allies of Skin or MAC: which is better?

Allies of Skin is better for texture and anti-aging, while MAC is better for makeup bases and hydration. Allies of Skin has a High fit for dry skin, and MAC also has a High fit for dry skin.

What is the difference between Allies of Skin and MAC?

Allies of Skin outperforms MAC for anti-aging, firming, brightening, and skin calming, while MAC performs better for hydration, plumping, and makeup primer benefits. For the products on this page, every Allies of Skin item lists no fragrance, whereas every MAC item contains fragrance.

Allies of Skin or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

Allies of Skin offers superior moisturizers for several skin types on this page, whereas MAC products on this page feature fragrance and average to high fit levels. Allies of Skin moisturizers feature key ingredients like niacinamide and probiotics, which help improve hydration and skin barrier function.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Which is more affordable, Allies of Skin or MAC?

When it comes to affordability, reviewers consider high price points for the products on this page to be an equal concern for both Allies of Skin and MAC.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Allies of Skin or MAC?

MAC causes fewer breakouts, whereas Allies of Skin carries a risk of irritation, purging, and breakouts.

Which brand has more products containing fragrance, Allies of Skin or MAC?

MAC has more products containing fragrance, as every product on the MAC page lists fragrance while every product on the Allies of Skin page lists no fragrance.

How does the Lovi fit level for dry skin compare between Allies of Skin's Molecular Saviour Probiotics Treatment Mist and MAC's Mineralize Timecheck Lotion?

For dry skin, Lovi rates Allies of Skin's Molecular Saviour Probiotics Treatment Mist as Superior, whereas MAC's Mineralize Timecheck Lotion receives a High fit level.

What are the primary skin types that Allies of Skin fits best compared to MAC?

Allies of Skin fits acne-prone skin, oily acne-prone skin, and dry skin best, whereas MAC has no primary skin types that it fits best according to its routines 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?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

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