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Shiseido vs MAC

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

Shiseido and MAC are distinguished skincare brands that offer thoughtful arrays of daily essentials. Shiseido is beloved for its moisturizers, cleansers, sunscreens, and serums formulated with glycerin, suiting sensitive and mature skin best. MAC is known for its reliable moisturizers and makeup removers crafted from balanced formulas, supporting balanced skin. While both provide gentle and effective care, they differ in their heritage, ownership, and targeted formulations for specific skin types.

Shiseido is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1872 and owned by Shiseido Company, Limited.

corp.shiseido.comen.wikipedia.orgmarketscreener.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 Shiseido and MAC products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Shiseido vs MAC products

People Say

ShiseidoMAC
  • Deep hydration Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “Immediate sensation of comfort — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
    • “Lightweight, silky, non-sticky, sinks in instantly. — Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate”
    • “skin feels plump, soft and nourished, eliminates dryness, bouncy feel — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
  • Makeup base compatibility 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”
    • “Great base for makeup — Shiseido Essential Energy Hydrating Cream”
  • Luxurious texture Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “silky smooth, rich but non-greasy, absorbs quickly, melts into skin — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
    • “Airy-soft texture — Shiseido Essential Energy Hydrating Cream”
    • “absorbs quickly — Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Gel Cream”
  • Radiance and brightening Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Skin looks brighter, more radiant, and "glowy." — Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate”
    • “faded pimple marks — Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Gel Cream”
    • “Eyes look more awake — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
    • “lit-from-within look — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Lightweight hydration Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “absorbs quickly — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Absorbs in a snap — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Smoother skin Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Velvety smooth — Shiseido FUTURE SOLUTION LX”
    • “makes skin baby soft — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream Enriched”
    • “smoothes rough skin — Shiseido Eudermine Revitalizing Essence”
    • “petal-soft skin — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • High price Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Very expensive for the size — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
    • “Expensive, pricey, high cost for the amount. — Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate”
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “A bit expensive — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Strong fragrance and scent Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “scent is overpowering — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Has a scent that might irritate very sensitive noses. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “old lady smell — Shiseido Eudermine Revitalizing Essence”
  • Skin irritation and reactions Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Caused some irritation — Shiseido Bio-Performance Advanced Super Revitalizing Cream”
    • “Caused burning and redness — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
    • “caused acne — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Stings if it accidentally gets into the eyes. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”

Questions and answers

Shiseido or MAC: which is better?

Shiseido is generally better for deep hydration and luxurious textures across the products on this page, while MAC works well for lightweight hydration and makeup base compatibility. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

What is the difference between Shiseido and MAC?

Shiseido performs better than MAC for deep hydration, luxurious texture, radiance and brightening, and smoother skin, while MAC stands out for makeup base compatibility and lightweight hydration. Hyaluronic acid helps provide deep hydration across the products on this page.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Shiseido or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

When comparing moisturizers, Shiseido is generally better for deep hydration and luxurious textures on the products on this page, while MAC focuses on lightweight hydration and makeup base compatibility. Topical hyaluronic acid, a key ingredient in Shiseido's moisturizers, helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, Shiseido or MAC?

Both Shiseido and MAC have a high price point, so neither brand is more affordable on this page. Reviewers note that high prices are a common issue for the products on this page across both brands.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Shiseido or MAC?

Neither brand is rated for causing fewer breakouts on this page. Reviewers note skin irritation sometimes for Shiseido and strong fragrance and sensitivity often for MAC.

Between Shiseido and MAC, which brand offers a wider selection of products for mature skin?

Shiseido offers a much wider selection of products on this page for mature skin, featuring numerous moisturizers, eye creams, sunscreens, and cleansers with High or Superior Lovi fit levels for that skin type. In comparison, MAC features only three total products on this page, none of which highlight mature skin as a primary fit. Topical hyaluronic acid, a key ingredient found across Shiseido products, helps improve skin quality and signs of skin aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

How do Shiseido and MAC compare regarding fragrance presence across their listed skincare items?

Shiseido has many fragrance-free options, as 5 of the 20 products on this page list no fragrance. In contrast, MAC has none, because all 3 of its listed skincare items contain fragrance.

Which brand has products specifically formulated with key ingredients like Glycerin and Hyaluronic acid?

Shiseido is formulated with key ingredients like Glycerin and Hyaluronic acid across the products on this page, while MAC does not list them as key ingredients here. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of skin 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

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