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Good Molecules vs MAC

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

Good Molecules and MAC are distinct beauty brands, with the American skincare brand founded in 2019 and owned by Beautylish, Inc., and the Canadian skincare brand founded in 1984 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 1994. Skincare enthusiasts love Good Molecules for its thoughtfully formulated serums, moisturizers, eye products, exfoliants, and more, which feature key ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, while the brand is beloved for its thoughtful approach to daily skincare, offering reliable moisturizers and makeup removers crafted from carefully balanced formulas. The products of the former brand suit sensitive skin and acne-prone skin best, and its key ingredients deliver notable benefits, as glycerin improves skin hydration and restores barrier function while hyaluronic acid lengthens the effect of wrinkle-reducing toxins, whereas the offerings of the latter brand suit balanced skin best, supported by gentle and effective ingredients. Ultimately, these brands differ as the American line offers standout targeted options like the Overnight Exfoliating Treatment, Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30, and Yerba Mate Wake Up Eye Gel, while the Canadian line provides measured daily maintenance through items such as the Mineralize Timecheck Lotion, Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil, and Hyper Real Serumizer.

Good Molecules is an American skincare brand founded in 2019 and owned by Beautylish, Inc..

beautymatter.comgoodmolecules.compitchbook.compreqin.com

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

Popular Good Molecules vs MAC products

People Say

Good MoleculesMAC
  • Lightweight and non-greasy texture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “absorbs quickly — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Absorbs in a snap — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “Emulsifies beautifully and rinses off without a greasy film. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “absorbs quickly... zero irritation or tacky feeling — Good Molecules Discoloration Correcting Serum”
  • Affordable price and great value Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “best value for money — Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
    • “great value — Good Molecules Niacinamide Serum”
  • Layers well and works with makeup Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “foundation glides on — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Sits beautifully under makeup — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “works well under makeup — Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
  • Gentle formula and soothing care Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “no skin purging — Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream”
    • “leaves my face feeling clean without the drying — Good Molecules Hydrating Facial Cleansing Gel”
    • “Does not cause breakouts — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “Doesn't sting my eyes or blur my vision. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Improves skin texture and smoothness Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “skin looks like brand new baby skin — Good Molecules Overnight Exfoliating Treatment”
    • “Leaves skin "baby soft," "super smooth," "polished feel" — Good Molecules Pineapple Exfoliating Powder”
    • “softened fine lines — Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream”
    • “petal-soft skin — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Hydrates and plumps the skin Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “skin appears smooth and supple — Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
    • “Skin feels bouncy — Good Molecules Super Peptide Serum”
    • “Leaves skin feeling soft and supple, never tight. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • High price point Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Unpleasant scent or scent expectations Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Strong bergamot smell — Good Molecules Super Peptide Serum”
    • “weird faint smell — Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream”
    • “smelled of glycolic acid — Good Molecules Overnight Exfoliating Treatment”
    • “scent is overpowering — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Slow, no, or limited results Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “didn't really see a difference — Good Molecules Discoloration Correcting Serum”
    • “No change in circles — Good Molecules Yerba Mate Wake Up Eye Gel”
    • “Don't expect miracles — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”

Questions and answers

Good Molecules or MAC: which is better?

Good Molecules offers better affordability and options tailored for sensitive and acne-prone skin, whereas MAC provides lightweight, makeup-friendly formulas that frequently include fragrance.

What is the difference between Good Molecules and MAC?

Good Molecules offers a broader range of affordable and gentle serums and treatments, whereas MAC focuses on makeup prep and lightweight moisturizers. Lovi rates Good Molecules as a High fit for sensitive and acne-prone skin, while MAC products on this page contain fragrance.

Good Molecules or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

Good Molecules offers better moisturizers for dry skin with a Superior Lovi fit level for its Lightweight Daily Moisturizer, whereas MAC options feature a High fit level or lower and contain fragrance. Hyaluronic acid in these products helps hydrate the skin.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, Good Molecules or MAC?

Good Molecules offers more affordable pricing and better value, whereas reviewers frequently note a high price point for MAC.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Good Molecules or MAC?

Good Molecules fits acne-prone skin with High or Average levels across the products on this page, whereas MAC products on this page show only Average fits for acne-prone skin. Reviewers sometimes note that Good Molecules can occasionally cause breakouts.

Between Good Molecules and MAC, which brand offers better options for sensitive skin?

Good Molecules offers better options for sensitive skin, as Lovi rates its fit as sensitive skin compared to MAC. Furthermore, every product on the Good Molecules page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas all MAC products on this page contain fragrance.

How do the prices of Good Molecules and MAC compare based on reviewer feedback?

Good Molecules offers affordable and great value products with a low price point, whereas MAC is noted for having a high price point.

Which brand has products that include fragrance, Good Molecules or MAC?

MAC has products on this page that include fragrance, whereas every Good Molecules product on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

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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