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Cetaphil vs MAC

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

Cetaphil and MAC are distinct beauty brands originating from America and Canada, respectively. Cetaphil is widely loved for its thoughtful range of cleansers, moisturizers, serums, and sunscreens formulated with glycerin, niacinamide, and panthenol, while MAC is beloved for its reliable moisturizers and makeup removers crafted from carefully balanced formulas. These offerings suit different needs, as the American line suits combination skin and acne-prone skin best, and the Canadian line suits balanced skin best. While both provide a calm and measured foundation for daily maintenance, they differ in their specific ingredient profiles and targeted solutions for mature skin and dark spots.

Cetaphil is an American skincare brand founded in 1947 and owned by Galderma Group AG.

en.wikipedia.orgcetaphil.co.uk

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

Popular Cetaphil vs MAC products

People Say

CetaphilMAC
  • Hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “cleared up flaky skin — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “healed my dry patches — Cetaphil Moisturising Cream”
    • “absorbs quickly — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Absorbs in a snap — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Gentle on sensitive skin Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “The only thing my reactive skin tolerates. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
    • “No breakouts since switching to this. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
    • “cleans without stripping — Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser”
  • Excellent makeup base and primer Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “foundation glides on — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Sits beautifully under makeup — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Radiant glow and blurred pores Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “lit-from-within look — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Reduces appearance of pores — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy absorption Often MentionedNot noted
    • “absorbs instantly — Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Absorbs quickly into skin without residue — Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion”
    • “absorbs quickly — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
  • Gentle exfoliation and softening Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “petal-soft skin — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Micro-fine granules don't irritate — Cetaphil Extra Gentle Daily Scrub”
  • High price point Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive for drugstore — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Strong scent or fragrance Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Overpowering masking fragrance — Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar”
    • “Scent is overwhelmingly artificial. — Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser”
    • “scent is overpowering — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Breakouts and clogged pores Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “caused whiteheads — Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Broke me out bad — Cetaphil Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser”
    • “caused small bumps — Cetaphil Moisturising Cream”
    • “caused acne — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”

Questions and answers

Cetaphil or MAC: which is better?

Cetaphil is better for sensitive skin, offering gentle and non-stripping cleansers along with lightweight, non-greasy moisturizers across the products on this page. Meanwhile, MAC tends to feature strong fragrance and sensitivity, whereas Cetaphil does better with gentle care for sensitive skin.

What is the difference between Cetaphil and MAC?

Cetaphil is better at being gentle on sensitive skin and providing lightweight, non-greasy absorption, whereas MAC performs better for an excellent makeup base and primer, and a radiant glow with blurred pores. Reviewers note that Cetaphil has a high price point, strong scent, and can cause breakouts, while MAC products on this page all contain fragrance.

Cetaphil or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

Cetaphil is generally better for moisturizing sensitive skin, offering products like its Rich Hydrating Night Cream which has a Superior fit for dry skin, whereas MAC features lightweight options like the Hyper Real Serumizer which has an Average fit for dry skin. Reviewers note that Cetaphil provides hydrating, non-greasy absorption.

Which is more affordable, Cetaphil or MAC?

Cetaphil is more affordable than MAC, as MAC has a high price point. Lovi rates Cetaphil as a high fit for combination, acne-prone, and sensitive skin.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Cetaphil or MAC?

MAC is not rated for breakouts on the products on this page, while Cetaphil includes items with fit levels ranging from Superior to Warning for acne-prone skin.

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

Cetaphil was founded in the United States in 1947, whereas MAC was founded in Canada in 1984. Both brands are currently owned by larger parent companies.

Which brand has more products that list no fragrance, Cetaphil or MAC?

Cetaphil has more products that list no fragrance, with 26 of its 27 products being fragrance-free compared to none for MAC.

Which brand offers a higher fit level for dry skin according to the Lovi fit levels?

Cetaphil offers a higher fit level for dry skin on this page, with products such as Gentle Skin Cleanser and Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 achieving a Superior fit. In contrast, MAC reaches only a High fit level for dry skin with products like Mineralize Timecheck Lotion.

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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