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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 because it offers gentle cleansers and mostly fragrance-free products on this page. MAC is better for makeup bases and primers, though its items on this page all contain fragrance.

What is the difference between Cetaphil and MAC?

Cetaphil is generally gentler on sensitive skin and offers more lightweight, non-greasy absorption across the products on this page, whereas MAC provides better makeup bases, primers, and radiant finishes. Reviewers note that Cetaphil is more affordable, while MAC items frequently feature strong fragrances and higher price points.

Cetaphil or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

Cetaphil is better for hydration and moisture, featuring options like Rich Hydrating Night Cream with a Lovi fit level of Superior for dry skin, while MAC offers lightweight moisturizers with a Lovi fit level of High for dry skin in products like Mineralize Timecheck Lotion. Cetaphil is more gentle on sensitive skin, whereas MAC products on this page all contain fragrance.

Which is more affordable, Cetaphil or MAC?

Cetaphil is more affordable than MAC, as MAC products on this page often have a high price point.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Cetaphil or MAC?

MAC does better than Cetaphil on breakouts and clogged pores, as breakouts and clogged pores are a negative theme for the products on this page for Cetaphil. Niacinamide in Cetaphil products helps control skin conditions.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

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

Cetaphil offers better options for sensitive skin, as Lovi rates its fit as sensitive skin best for products like its Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 and Gentle Foaming Cleanser. Review themes also show that Cetaphil does better than MAC at being gentle on sensitive skin.

How do the founding years and owning companies of Cetaphil and MAC compare?

Cetaphil was founded in the United States in 1947 and is owned by Galderma Group AG, whereas MAC was founded in Canada in 1984 and is owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.

Which brand has a stronger fragrance profile across its products, Cetaphil or MAC?

MAC has a stronger fragrance profile across its products, as all products on its page list fragrance, whereas 26 of 27 Cetaphil products list no 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

How does it fit your skin?

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