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Anua vs MAC

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

Anua and MAC are distinct beauty labels offering specialized formulations for varied complexions. The Korean line from 2019 features moisturizers, toners, serums, and cleansers built around hyaluronic acid, heartleaf, and niacinamide, suiting oily acne-prone and combination skin best. Conversely, the Canadian brand established in 1984 provides reliable daily moisturizers and makeup removers crafted for balanced skin. While both curate targeted products for acne, dark spots, and mature concerns, the former relies on intensive botanical actives, whereas the latter emphasizes gentle, balanced maintenance.

Anua is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2019 and owned by The Founders Inc..

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

Popular Anua vs MAC products

People Say

AnuaMAC
  • Hydration and Skin Glow Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “complexion feels so plump — Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum”
    • “glass-like glow — Anua Rice 70 Glow Milky Toner”
    • “lit-from-within look — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Absorbs in a snap — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • No White Cast and Makeup Base Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “foundation glides on — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Sits beautifully under makeup — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “zero white cast — Anua Heartleaf Silky Moisture Sun Cream”
  • Non-stripping and Gentle Finish Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “didn't sensitize my skin — Anua BHA 2% Gentle Exfoliating Toner”
    • “No stinging on sensitive skin — Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner”
    • “Leaves skin feeling soft and supple, never tight. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Lightweight Hydration and Glow Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “absorbs quickly — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Emulsifies beautifully and rinses off without a greasy film. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “Doesn't sting my eyes or blur my vision. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Oil Control and Skin Smoothing Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Reduces appearance of pores — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “petal-soft skin — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “reduces excess oil — Anua Heartleaf Quercetin Pore Deep Cleansing Foam”
  • Makeup Removal and Compatibility Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Removes waterproof mascara completely without needing a separate remover. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “Melted my waterproof mascara — Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil”
  • Pricing and Volume Value Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “price feels way too high — Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum”
    • “small size, the price is expensive — Anua Rice Enzyme Brightening Cleansing Powder”
    • “bottle too small — Anua NANO RETINOL™ 0.3% + NIACIN RENEWING SERUM”
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Severe Breakouts and Clogging Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Breaks me out, I got pimples from this. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “Wrecked my skin barrier — Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil”
  • Eye and Fragrance Irritation Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Made my vision blurry for an hour — Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil”
    • “Smell is too strong — Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil”
    • “Too drying for my dry skin — Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner”
    • “scent is overpowering — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”

Questions and answers

Anua or MAC: which is better?

Anua is often considered better for soothing care and targeted treatments, offering a wider range of fragrance-free products on this page that focus on brightening and barrier support. MAC is preferred by shoppers looking for specialized makeup bases and lightweight moisturizers, though its products on this page often contain fragrance.

What is the difference between Anua and MAC?

Anua focuses on fragrance-free skincare products that fit oily acne-prone skin, combination skin, and skin with dark spots best, whereas MAC offers a smaller selection of scented options known for makeup bases and primers. Reviewers note that Anua is better for pricing and volume value, while MAC is favored for lightweight hydration, glow, oil control, and makeup removal.

Anua or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

Anua offers a wider range of moisturizers with higher Lovi fit levels for dry and sensitive skin compared to MAC. The products on this page from Anua feature fragrance-free formulations, whereas MAC products contain fragrance, which may cause irritation.

Which is more affordable, Anua or MAC?

Anua is more affordable, as reviewers note that it offers better pricing and volume value compared to MAC.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Anua or MAC?

Anua causes fewer breakouts than MAC, as severe breakouts and clogging are frequently noted issues for MAC among reviewers on this page.

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

Anua has more products on this page that are completely free of fragrance, as every single Anua product lists no fragrance in its ingredients. In contrast, MAC includes fragrance in all of the products on its page.

Where and when was each brand founded, and who owns them?

Anua was founded in 2019 in South Korea and is owned by The Founders Inc., while MAC was founded in 1984 in Canada and has been owned by The EsteE Lauder Companies Inc. since 1994.

Which brand performs better for oil control and skin smoothing according to review themes?

According to the review themes on this page, MAC performs better for oil control and skin smoothing.

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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