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Some By Mi vs MAC

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

Some By Mi and MAC are distinct skincare houses that cater to diverse complexions through specialized formulations. The Korean brand features serums, cleansers, toners, and moisturizers built around niacinamide, centella asiatica, and salicylic acid, fitting sensitive skin and dark spots best. Conversely, the Canadian brand is beloved for thoughtful daily skincare, offering reliable moisturizers and makeup removers crafted from carefully balanced formulas that suit balanced skin. While both elevate daily routines, they differ as the former targets specific concerns with potent actives and the latter provides a calm foundation for maintenance.

Some By Mi is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2016 and owned by JKL Partners since 2021.

kedglobal.compreqin.comtracxn.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 Some By Mi and MAC products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Some By Mi vs MAC products

People Say

Some By MiMAC
  • Hydration and Moisture Often 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”
    • “Lasts 100 hours as claimed — Some By Mi Beta Panthenol Repair Cream”
  • Makeup Compatibility and Base Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “foundation glides on — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Sits beautifully under makeup — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “sits fine under makeup — Some By Mi V10 Hyal Air Fit Sunscreen”
  • Brightening and Glow Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Fades dark spots — Some By Mi Galactomyces Pure Vitamin C Glow Serum”
    • “skin looks visibly brighter — Some By Mi Yuja Niacin Anti Blemish Serum”
    • “brightens dull skin — Some By Mi Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream”
    • “lit-from-within look — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Skin Texture and Smoothing Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Skin became smoother — Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner”
    • “Skin feels baby soft — Some By Mi Retinol Intense Reactivating Serum”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum”
    • “petal-soft skin — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Gentle Exfoliation and Formula Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Zero irritation or redness — Some By Mi Retinol Intense Reactivating Serum”
    • “doesn't strip dry my skin — Some By Mi Super Matcha Pore Clean Clay Mask”
    • “Surprisingly gentle — Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner”
    • “Does not cause breakouts — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Absorption and Texture Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “absorbs quickly — Some By Mi Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream”
    • “absorbs quickly — Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Serum”
    • “absorbs instantly — Some By Mi Yuja Niacin Anti Blemish Serum”
  • Price and Packaging Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive — Some By Mi Super Matcha Pore Clean Clay Mask”
    • “Too expensive for 50ml — Some By Mi Beta Panthenol Repair Cream”
    • “Hate dipping fingers in a jar — Some By Mi Beta Panthenol Repair Cream”
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Strong Scent and Fragrance Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “scent is overpowering — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Has a scent that might irritate very sensitive noses. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “overwhelming citrus fragrance — Some By Mi V10 Hyal Air Fit Sunscreen”
  • Skin Purging and Breakouts Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Zits appeared initially — Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner”
    • “gave me cystic acne — Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum”
    • “caused acne — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Breaks me out, I got pimples from this. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”

Questions and answers

Some By Mi or MAC: which is better?

Some By Mi is better for brightening and gentle exfoliation, as the products on this page feature fragrance-free formulas with key ingredients like niacinamide and salicylic acid that help improve skin texture. In contrast, MAC tends to do better for makeup compatibility and hydration, though its products often include added fragrance.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

What is the difference between Some By Mi and MAC?

Some By Mi provides fragrance-free products on this page that focus on brightening, gentle exfoliation, and acne-clearing treatments, whereas MAC products on this page often contain fragrance and are better suited for makeup compatibility and lightweight hydration.

Some By Mi or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

Some By Mi is better for moisturizers on this page, as Lovi rates products like its Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream as Superior for dry skin and acne-prone skin, while MAC moisturizers achieve mostly Average fits. Reviewers also highlight Some By Mi for excellent texture moisturizers without the strong fragrance that MAC products often include.

Which is more affordable, Some By Mi or MAC?

Some By Mi is more affordable, whereas MAC has a high price point.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Some By Mi or MAC?

When it comes to breakouts, Some By Mi and MAC perform equally well according to reviewer themes on this page.

Between Some By Mi and MAC, which brand offers fragrance-free products?

Some By Mi is the better choice for fragrance-free options because every product on its page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas all MAC products on this page contain fragrance.

Which brand performs better for brightening and glow, Some By Mi or MAC?

Some By Mi performs better for brightening and glow, while Lovi rates its products as a High fit for skin with dark spots. Topical niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and melanosome transfer.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

What are the main negative points reviewers mention about Some By Mi versus MAC?

Reviewers note that Some By Mi products sometimes have a strong or medicinal scent, drying or stripping effects, or a sticky finish, while MAC products frequently draw criticism for their high price point and strong fragrance leading to sensitivity.

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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