Hada Labo vs MAC
Hada Labo and MAC are distinct beauty brands, with the former being a Japanese skincare line founded in 2004 and the latter a Canadian skincare label established in 1984. The Japanese brand is known for hydrating toners, gentle makeup removers, and nourishing moisturizers featuring advanced formulas, while the Canadian brand offers reliable moisturizers and makeup removers crafted from carefully balanced formulas. The offerings from the first brand suit dry skin and combination skin best, whereas the second brand's products suit balanced skin best. Ultimately, they differ through their ingredients and specialized lotions, oils, and serums designed for specific skin concerns.
Hada Labo is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 2004 and owned by Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd..
en.wikipedia.orghadalabosa.co.zahadalabotokyo.pl
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 Hada Labo and MAC products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
People Say
Lightweight Texture and Absorption Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “absorbs quickly — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
- “Absorbs in a snap — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
- “Emulsifies beautifully and rinses off without a greasy film. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
- “absorbs super quickly — Hada Labo Premium Whitening Lotion (Light)”
Deep Hydration and Plumping Mostly MentionedNot noted
- “skin drinks it up — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
- “Plumps fine lines — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
- “leaves skin soft, smooth, and hydrated — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
Makeup Base and Primer Not 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”
Gentle and Fragrance-Free Formula Mostly MentionedNot noted
- “never stings my sensitive skin — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
- “No fragrance/alcohol — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
- “no irritation, no breakouts — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
Effective Makeup Removal Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “Removes waterproof mascara completely without needing a separate remover. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
- “removes waterproof mascara easily — Hada Labo Gokujyun Cleansing Oil”
Versatile and Convenient Application Often MentionedNot noted
- “mixes well with oils — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
- “Mixes with oils — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
- “Streamlines your routine by replacing five separate products. — Hada Labo Gokujyun Perfect Gel”
High Price Point Not notedMostly Mentioned
- “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
Sticky and Tacky Finish Often MentionedNot noted
- “Tacky residue — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
Breakouts and Clogging Often MentionedNot noted
- “gave me tiny bumps — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
Questions and answers
Hada Labo or MAC: which is better?
Hada Labo is better for deep hydration and gentle, fragrance-free care, whereas MAC is better for lightweight textures, makeup bases, and effective makeup removal. Hada Labo helps hydrate skin with hyaluronic acid, which improves skin quality and signs of aging.
What is the difference between Hada Labo and MAC?
Hada Labo is better for deep hydration and gentle, fragrance-free care using hyaluronic acid, whereas MAC excels at makeup bases and lightweight moisturizers but often contains fragrance. The products on this page from Hada Labo help provide moisture, while topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality.
Hada Labo or MAC: which moisturizer is better?
Hada Labo is better for deep hydration and moisturization, with its Gokujyun Perfect Gel rated High for dry and dry sensitive skin, while MAC offers lightweight moisturizers like the Mineralize Timecheck Lotion which is also rated High for dry skin.
Which is more affordable, Hada Labo or MAC?
Hada Labo is more affordable than MAC, which reviewers note has a high price point. Reviewers often mention Hada Labo for value and versatility.
Which causes fewer breakouts, Hada Labo or MAC?
Hada Labo causes fewer breakouts on this page, as MAC reviewers frequently mention breakouts and clogged pores alongside strong fragrance sensitivity. Hyaluronic acid helps maintain skin hydration without adding heavy oils.
Which brand is fragrance-free, Hada Labo or MAC?
Hada Labo is fragrance-free because every product on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas MAC includes fragrance across its products.
When was Hada Labo founded compared to MAC?
Hada Labo was founded in 2004, whereas MAC was founded earlier in 1984.
Which brand is best suited for dry skin based on its routines?
Hada Labo is better suited for dry skin, fitting it best with its brand-focused routines, whereas MAC has no specific skin types listed for its routines. Hyaluronic acid helps provide deep hydration, which supports dry skin quality.
Research behind their key ingredients
The effect of niacinamide on reducing cutaneous pigmentation and suppression of melanosome transfer
Effect of Camellia japonica oil on human type I procollagen production and skin barrier function
Preparation and characterization of a lecithin nanoemulsion as a topical delivery system
Self-Assembled Cubic Liquid Crystalline Nanoparticles for Transdermal Delivery of Paeonol
The anti-wrinkles properties of sodium acetylated hyaluronate
Moisturizing Effects of Diglycerol Combined with Glycerol on Human Stratum Corneum
Nanocomplex of quaternized cyclodextrin grafted chitosan and hyaluronic acid for a skin delivery
Combined Effect of Silybin and Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate on UV-Induced Photoaging
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.
-

Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-

Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-

Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-

Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-

Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-

Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-

Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-

Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.









