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Estée Lauder vs MAC

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

Estée Lauder and MAC are corporate sister brands under The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. that offer distinct approaches to complexion care, with the former founded in 1946 and the latter established in 1948. The American brand provides a comprehensive range of moisturizers, serums, eye products, and cleansers formulated with hyaluronic acid and glycerin, suiting mature skin and oily acne-prone skin best. Conversely, the Canadian brand focuses on thoughtful daily skincare with reliable moisturizers and makeup removers tailored for balanced skin. Ultimately, the two houses differ through the former's targeted anti-aging and sebum-controlling formulations versus the latter's gentle foundation for daily maintenance.

Estée Lauder is an American skincare brand founded in 1946 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc..

en.wikipedia.orgelcompanies.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 Estée Lauder and MAC products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Estée Lauder vs MAC products

People Say

Estée LauderMAC
  • Deep hydration and moisturization Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin drinks it up immediately — Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair”
    • “Absorbs quickly into the skin — Estée Lauder Revitalizing Supreme+”
    • “Sits beautifully under makeup — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “Removes waterproof mascara completely without needing a separate remover. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • High price and expensive products Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “way too expensive for the size — Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair”
    • “too pricey — Estée Lauder Micro Essence Treatment Lotion”
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “A bit expensive — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”

Questions and answers

Estée Lauder or MAC: which is better?

Estée Lauder and MAC both offer products on this page with a high price point, but Estée Lauder features a much wider range of skin care options with Lovi fit levels up to Superior.

What is the difference between Estée Lauder and MAC?

The products on this page for Estée Lauder feature 12 out of 14 items without fragrance, whereas all MAC products on this page list fragrance. Reviewers note that Estée Lauder provides deep hydration and gentle cleansers, while MAC is mostly recognized for lightweight moisturizers and makeup bases.

Estée Lauder or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

When comparing moisturizers, Estée Lauder offers options like DayWear Moisturizer that Lovi rates as having a Superior fit for dry skin, whereas MAC moisturizers such as Hyper Real Serumizer and Mineralize Timecheck Lotion achieve a High or Average fit. Both brands share concerns about a high price point.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, Estée Lauder or MAC?

When comparing affordability, reviewers on this page mention a high price point for both Estée Lauder and MAC.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Estée Lauder or MAC?

When comparing the products on this page, both Estée Lauder and MAC offer formulas that are unlikely to cause breakouts for most users, though Estée Lauder provides a wider variety of options tailored specifically for acne-prone skin types with high fit levels.

Which brand has more fragrance-free skincare products, Estee Lauder or MAC?

Estée Lauder has more fragrance-free skincare products than MAC, with 12 out of 14 products on this page listing no fragrance, while all 3 MAC products on this page include fragrance.

How do the skin types that Estee Lauder fits best compare to those of MAC?

The products on this page show that Estée Lauder fits mature skin, oily acne-prone skin, and dry skin best, whereas MAC does not list any specific skin types that it fits best.

What are the key ingredients shared across Estee Lauder products?

The products on this page for Estée Lauder share hyaluronic acid and glycerin as key ingredients. Topical glycerin helps support skin hydration, and hyaluronic acid may benefit skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

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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