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COSRX vs MAC

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

COSRX and MAC represent two distinct approaches to daily beauty maintenance, with the former originating as a Korean skincare brand in 2013 and the latter established as a Canadian skincare brand in 1984. The first brand is celebrated for its targeted serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and masks featuring hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide, which suit acne-prone and oily acne-prone skin best through options like the Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser, Full Fit Propolis Synergy Toner, and Centella Water Alcohol-Free Toner. Conversely, the second brand offers reliable moisturizers and makeup removers crafted from carefully balanced formulas that suit balanced skin best, supported by standout products such as the Mineralize Timecheck Lotion, Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil, and Hyper Real Serumizer. While both brands provide thoughtful formulations to address specific complexion concerns, they differ fundamentally in their ingredient focus and ideal skin types.

COSRX is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2013 and owned by Amorepacific Group since 2024.

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

Popular COSRX vs MAC products

People Say

COSRXMAC
  • Deep hydration and moisture 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”
    • “skin drinks it up — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
  • Skin texture improvement Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “gives me that glass skin look — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “skin feels softer immediately — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
    • “Reduces appearance of pores — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “petal-soft skin — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Excellent makeup base and primer Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “foundation glides on — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Sits beautifully under makeup — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Lightweight and fast-absorbing texture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “absorbs instantly like water — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
    • “sinks in immediately — COSRX Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream”
    • “absorbs practically immediately — COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)”
    • “Emulsifies beautifully and rinses off without a greasy film. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Soothing and calming Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “No stinging or irritation — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “perfect for first-time retinol users — COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
    • “calms down my redness — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
  • Effective acne and pore control Often MentionedNot noted
    • “helped to improve my acne after only 2 weeks — COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser”
    • “cleared up my spots — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
    • “Melted blackheads right off — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
  • Price per value and high price point Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive for me — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Caused breakouts and acne Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “too slimy and sticky — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “gave me fungal acne — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “caused acne — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Breaks me out, I got pimples from this. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Drying for dry skin Often MentionedNot noted
    • “left my face tight — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”

Questions and answers

COSRX or MAC: which is better?

COSRX is better for acne-prone and oily skin types, offering superior fit levels across many products on this page. Reviewers often mention COSRX for effective acne control and gentle, lightweight absorption, whereas MAC products on this page frequently feature a strong fragrance.

What is the difference between COSRX and MAC?

COSRX specializes in affordable skincare with high-performing options for acne-prone and oily skin, while MAC offers luxury products known for acting as effective makeup bases and primers. COSRX products on this page are generally fragrance-free, whereas MAC options include added fragrance. Both brands help provide lightweight moisturization, though MAC is noted for a higher price point.

COSRX or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

COSRX offers significantly more options and higher fit levels for moisturizers than MAC, making it a better choice across various skin types.

Which is more affordable, COSRX or MAC?

COSRX is more affordable, as MAC products often feature a high price point.

Which causes fewer breakouts, COSRX or MAC?

COSRX helps with acne control and clearing, whereas MAC is noted for causing breakouts and acne equally according to reviewer themes.

Which brand has more fragrance-free skincare products, COSRX or MAC?

COSRX has more fragrance-free skincare products, as 37 of its 38 products on this page list no fragrance, whereas all 3 MAC products contain fragrance.

Which brand is older, COSRX or MAC?

MAC is older than COSRX, having been founded in Canada in 1984 while COSRX was founded in South Korea in 2013.

Which brand performs better for deep hydration and moisture according to review themes?

MAC does better for deep hydration and moisture according to the review themes 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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