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CeraVe vs MAC

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

CeraVe and MAC are two distinct skincare lines established to support daily routines. The American brand is widely loved for its thoughtful range of moisturizers, cleansers, serums, sunscreens, and more, all formulated with skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin. Meanwhile, the Canadian brand is beloved for its thoughtful approach to daily skincare, offering reliable moisturizers and makeup removers crafted from carefully balanced formulas. CeraVe suits acne-prone skin and combination skin best due to supportive formulations, whereas MAC suits balanced skin best, supported by gentle and effective ingredients.

CeraVe is an American skincare brand founded in 2005 and owned by L'Oréal since 2017.

en.wikipedia.orghappi.comloreal-finance.comcerave.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 CeraVe and MAC products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular CeraVe vs MAC products

People Say

CeraVeMAC
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Saved my dry winter skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “doesn't leave face tight — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “absorbs quickly — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Absorbs in a snap — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Gentle and Sensitive Skin Care Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “no burning sensation — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “No scent, no irritation — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “Sinks in immediately — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “Does not cause breakouts — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • 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”
  • Skin Texture Improvement Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “difference in my skin's texture is noticeable — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
    • “smoother complexion — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “less greasy — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
    • “petal-soft skin — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Makeup Removal Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Removes waterproof mascara completely without needing a separate remover. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “picks up lingering makeup — CeraVe Hydrating Toner”
  • Value and Price Often MentionedNot noted
    • “reasonably priced — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “Huge tub lasts forever — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “Great everyday moisturizer — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
  • High Price Point Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive Vaseline — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Texture and Formulation Issues Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Felt sticky to me — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “Has a scent that might irritate very sensitive noses. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “feels like washing with conditioner — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
  • Breakouts and Skin Congestion Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Gave me cystic acne — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “gave me closed comedones — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “caused acne — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Breaks me out, I got pimples from this. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Burning, Irritation, and Sensitivity Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Stung my raw skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “burns my damaged skin — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “caused acne — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Stings if it accidentally gets into the eyes. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”

Questions and answers

CeraVe or MAC: which is better?

CeraVe offers a better fit for gentle and sensitive skin care, skin texture improvement, and value and price among the products on this page, while MAC performs better for makeup bases, primers, and makeup removal. CeraVe achieves a High fit level for barrier repair and hydration with ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

What is the difference between CeraVe and MAC?

CeraVe generally provides fragrance-free options with a focus on gentle, non-stripping cleansers and barrier-repairing ingredients like ceramides, whereas MAC offers products that frequently include added fragrance and are recognized more for makeup bases and primers.

CeraVe or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

CeraVe offers a wider range of moisturizers with fragrance-free formulas that reviewers frequently praise for being lightweight and deeply hydrating. Lovi rates several CeraVe moisturizers at a Superior fit for dry and acne-prone skin types, whereas MAC features a smaller selection of moisturizers that often contain fragrance.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

Which is more affordable, CeraVe or MAC?

CeraVe is more affordable than MAC, as value and price are areas where CeraVe does better while MAC has a high price point.

Which causes fewer breakouts, CeraVe or MAC?

Both brands are equal regarding breakouts and skin congestion, as reviewers report similar experiences with both. CeraVe offers products tailored for acne-prone skin that help manage breakouts, but some users still note occasional congestion.

Between CeraVe and MAC, which brand offers better options for makeup removal?

MAC offers better options for makeup removal according to the review themes on this page.

How do CeraVe and MAC compare in terms of fragrance and sensitivity?

CeraVe has a High fit for sensitive skin on its products on this page and every product lists no fragrance, whereas MAC includes fragrance in all of its products on this page and reviewers often note strong fragrance and sensitivity issues.

Which brand has products specifically designed for acne-prone and combination skin?

CeraVe fits acne-prone and combination skin best according to the products on this page, whereas MAC has no listed focus for these skin types.

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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