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Dermalogica vs MAC

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

Dermalogica and MAC are two distinct beauty houses founded in the mid-1980s. The former is cherished for its targeted serums, nourishing moisturizers, gentle cleansers, purifying masks, and more, enriched with key ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and salicylic acid, while the latter is beloved for its thoughtful approach to daily skincare, offering reliable moisturizers and makeup removers crafted from carefully balanced formulas. Dermalogica suits sensitive, dry, oily, and aging skin best, whereas the Canadian brand suits balanced skin best. Ultimately, they differ because the American brand relies on science to address diverse skin types, while the Canadian brand provides a calm and measured foundation for daily maintenance.

Dermalogica is an American skincare brand founded in 1986 and owned by Unilever since 2015.

en.wikipedia.orgcosmeticsbusiness.com

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

Popular Dermalogica vs MAC products

People Say

DermalogicaMAC
  • Makeup Compatibility and Primer Rarely 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”
    • “layers well under makeup — Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50”
  • Deep and Intense Hydration Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Saved my dry skin — Dermalogica Super Rich Repair”
    • “super hydrating — Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque”
    • “skin feels hydrated — Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance”
    • “Leaves skin feeling soft and supple, never tight. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Non-Greasy Absorption Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “blends seamlessly — Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50”
    • “Absorbs quickly... not greasy — Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream”
    • “feels like nothing — Dermalogica Active Moist”
    • “Emulsifies beautifully and rinses off without a greasy film. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Lightweight Hydration Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “absorbs quickly — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Absorbs in a snap — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Brightening and Radiance Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “lit-from-within look — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “immediately brighter looking — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
  • Makeup Dissolving and Removal Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Removes waterproof mascara completely without needing a separate remover. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “Removes stubborn mascara — Dermalogica Precleanse”
  • High Price Point Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “hefty price tag — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “Expensive for cleanser — Dermalogica Precleanse”
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “A bit expensive — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Unpleasant Scent and Fragrance Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like puke — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “smells like medicine — Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50”
    • “scent is overpowering — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Has a scent that might irritate very sensitive noses. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Skin Irritation and Reactions Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “caused acne — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Stings if it accidentally gets into the eyes. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “Stings eyes — Dermalogica Precleanse”

Questions and answers

Dermalogica or MAC: which is better?

Dermalogica is generally better for deep hydration and non-greasy absorption among the products on this page, whereas MAC is favored for lightweight hydration and makeup compatibility. Reviewers note that every Dermalogica product on this page lists no fragrance, while all MAC products on this page contain fragrance.

What is the difference between Dermalogica and MAC?

Dermalogica provides deep and intense hydration with products on this page that list no fragrance, whereas MAC offers lightweight hydration with formulations that feature fragrance. Reviewers note that the products on this page for both brands share a high price point.

Dermalogica or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

Dermalogica provides a much wider range of moisturizers with specialized Lovi fit levels for different skin types compared to MAC, which offers only a few options. Reviewers note that Dermalogica products excel at deep hydration, while MAC moisturizers contain fragrance and are often associated with sensitivity.

Which is more affordable, Dermalogica or MAC?

Both Dermalogica and MAC share a high price point among the products on this page.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Dermalogica or MAC?

Dermalogica is generally better for avoiding breakouts, as the products on this page focus heavily on targeted treatments for acne-prone skin, whereas MAC has more reports of skin irritation and reactions.

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

Dermalogica offers more fragrance-free products, as every product on their page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas none of the three products on MAC's page are fragrance-free.

Which brand offers better makeup compatibility and primer performance, Dermalogica or MAC?

MAC offers better makeup compatibility and primer performance than Dermalogica, alongside lightweight hydration. The products on this page from MAC feature makeup bases and primers as a strongly mentioned reviewer favorite.

Which brand provides superior deep and intense hydration, Dermalogica or MAC?

Dermalogica provides superior deep and intense hydration compared to MAC. The products on this page help deliver intense hydration and soothing moisturizers effectively.

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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