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The INKEY List vs MAC

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

The INKEY List and MAC represent two distinct approaches to daily maintenance, offering gentle and effective ingredients tailored to specific needs. The British skincare brand features moisturizers, serums, toners, and eye products built around glycerin, suiting combination and sensitive skin best while utilizing ingredients that significantly increased skin hydration and restored barrier function. Conversely, the Canadian skincare brand is beloved for its thoughtful approach to daily skincare, offering reliable moisturizers and makeup removers crafted from carefully balanced formulas that suit balanced skin best. While both provide targeted solutions for acne-prone skin, dark spots, and mature skin, they differ in their foundational formulations and primary skin type compatibilities.

The INKEY List is a British skincare brand founded in 2018 and owned by Brand Evangelists for Beauty Limited.

cosmeticsbusiness.comprnewswire.comtheinkeylist.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 The INKEY List and MAC products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular The INKEY List vs MAC products

People Say

The INKEY ListMAC
  • 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”
    • “Super hydrating — The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum”
  • Makeup Performance and Base Sometimes 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”
    • “no pilling under makeup — The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
  • Gentle Formula and Soothing Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Great for sensitive skin — The INKEY List PHA Toner”
    • “Safe and gentle especially for my dry, sensitive skin — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
    • “calmed my menopausal redness — The INKEY List ECTOIN HYDRO-BARRIER SERUM”
    • “Does not cause breakouts — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Other Positive Effects Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Removes waterproof mascara completely without needing a separate remover. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “lit-from-within look — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Emulsifies beautifully and rinses off without a greasy film. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “skin looks fresh and plump — The INKEY List Collagen Peptide Serum”
  • Lightweight Texture and Fast Absorption Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “sits beautifully under makeup — The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream”
    • “Gel consistency — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
    • “feels like applying straight up water to the skin — The INKEY List Omega Water Cream”
    • “Emulsifies beautifully and rinses off without a greasy film. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Affordable Price and Value Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “Good for the price — The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser”
    • “One of the best balms for quality and also price — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
    • “unbeatable value — The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
  • High Price Point Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Other Minor Complaints Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Tube leaks liquified oil when opened — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
    • “very runny serum — The INKEY List Collagen Peptide Serum”
    • “contains glitter — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Felt sticky to me — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Unpleasant Scent or Fragrance Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Smells like BBQ/meat — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
    • “Smells like chemicals — The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum”
    • “scent is overpowering — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Has a scent that might irritate very sensitive noses. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”

Questions and answers

The INKEY List or MAC: which is better?

The INKEY List tends to be better for shoppers wanting affordable prices and gentle formulas, while MAC stands out for makeup performance and hydration. The products on this page from The INKEY List list no fragrance, whereas all MAC products on this page list fragrance.

What is the difference between The INKEY List and MAC?

The INKEY List offers fragrance-free formulas that tend to be more affordable, whereas MAC features products with fragrance and a higher price point. Reviewers note that The INKEY List does better with lightweight textures and gentle, soothing formulas, while MAC excels in makeup performance and hydration.

The INKEY List or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

The INKEY List offers a wider variety of moisturizers with high fit levels for dry skin, such as its Collagen Peptide Serum, and reviewers frequently mention their affordable price and lightweight feel. MAC also provides lightweight moisturizers like the Mineralize Timecheck Lotion, but reviewers frequently note a high price point and strong fragrance across its products.

Which is more affordable, The INKEY List or MAC?

The INKEY List is more affordable than MAC, with the products on this page frequently praised by reviewers for offering budget-friendly serums and moisturizers, whereas MAC often receives complaints for its high price point.

Which causes fewer breakouts, The INKEY List or MAC?

The INKEY List does better than MAC for gentle formulas and soothing, and its products on this page list no fragrance. Reviewers note that The INKEY List sometimes has purging and breakouts, while MAC reviewers note strong fragrance and sensitivity.

Between The INKEY List and MAC, which brand offers fragrance-free skincare products?

The INKEY List offers fragrance-free skincare products, as every product on the products on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients. In contrast, all products from MAC on this page contain fragrance.

How do the founding years and corporate ownership of The INKEY List and MAC compare?

The INKEY List was founded in 2018 in the United Kingdom and is owned by Brand Evangelists for Beauty Limited, while MAC was founded in 1984 in Canada and has been owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 1994.

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

According to review themes, MAC performs better for hydration and moisture. The products on this page for MAC include lightweight moisturizers and makeup bases, though reviewers note a high price point and strong fragrance.

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

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