🇸🇬Singapore

Some By Mi vs MAC

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

Some By Mi and MAC are distinct beauty labels offering specialized regimens for daily maintenance. The South Korean line centers on serums, cleansers, toners, and moisturizers built around niacinamide, centella asiatica, and salicylic acid, fitting dry skin and skin with dark spots best. Meanwhile, the Canadian brand is beloved for its thoughtful approach to daily skincare, offering reliable moisturizers and makeup removers crafted from carefully balanced formulas that suit balanced skin best. While both supply targeted formulas for acne-prone, dark spot, and mature concerns, the former relies on clarifying actives like salicylic acid, whereas the latter utilizes gentle ingredients for a calm foundation.

Some By Mi is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2016 and owned by JKL Partners since 2021.

kedglobal.compreqin.comtracxn.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 Some By Mi and MAC products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Some By Mi vs MAC products

People Say

Some By MiMAC
  • Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “absorbs quickly — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Absorbs in a snap — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “Leaves skin feeling soft and supple, never tight. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “Lasts 100 hours as claimed — Some By Mi Beta Panthenol Repair Cream”
  • Makeup Compatibility and Base Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “foundation glides on — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Sits beautifully under makeup — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “sits fine under makeup — Some By Mi V10 Hyal Air Fit Sunscreen”
  • Brightening and Glow Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Fades dark spots — Some By Mi Galactomyces Pure Vitamin C Glow Serum”
    • “skin looks visibly brighter — Some By Mi Yuja Niacin Anti Blemish Serum”
    • “brightens dull skin — Some By Mi Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream”
    • “lit-from-within look — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Skin Texture and Smoothing Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Skin became smoother — Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner”
    • “Skin feels baby soft — Some By Mi Retinol Intense Reactivating Serum”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum”
    • “petal-soft skin — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Gentle Exfoliation and Formula Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Zero irritation or redness — Some By Mi Retinol Intense Reactivating Serum”
    • “doesn't strip dry my skin — Some By Mi Super Matcha Pore Clean Clay Mask”
    • “Surprisingly gentle — Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner”
    • “Does not cause breakouts — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Absorption and Texture Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “absorbs quickly — Some By Mi Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream”
    • “absorbs quickly — Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Serum”
    • “absorbs instantly — Some By Mi Yuja Niacin Anti Blemish Serum”
  • Price and Packaging Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive — Some By Mi Super Matcha Pore Clean Clay Mask”
    • “Too expensive for 50ml — Some By Mi Beta Panthenol Repair Cream”
    • “Hate dipping fingers in a jar — Some By Mi Beta Panthenol Repair Cream”
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Strong Scent and Fragrance 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”
    • “overwhelming citrus fragrance — Some By Mi V10 Hyal Air Fit Sunscreen”
  • Skin Purging and Breakouts Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Zits appeared initially — Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner”
    • “gave me cystic acne — Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum”
    • “caused acne — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Breaks me out, I got pimples from this. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”

Questions and answers

Some By Mi or MAC: which is better?

Some By Mi is better for brightening and smoothing skin with fragrance-free formulas, while MAC is better for makeup bases and moisture despite containing fragrance.

What is the difference between Some By Mi and MAC?

Some By Mi focuses on brightening and gentle exfoliation with fragrance-free formulas, while MAC emphasizes hydration and makeup bases with scented products. Niacinamide helps reduce pigmentation in Some By Mi products.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Some By Mi or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

Some By Mi delivers High fit levels across most skin types for its moisturizers like the Beta Panthenol Repair Cream, whereas MAC offers Average fit levels for its moisturizers on this page. Niacinamide in Some By Mi formulations helps reduce skin pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Which is more affordable, Some By Mi or MAC?

Some By Mi is more affordable than MAC, as MAC products on this page have a high price point. Additionally, high price and packaging is a noted drawback specifically for Some By Mi.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Some By Mi or MAC?

Both brands are equal when it comes to skin purging and breakouts, as reviewers note similar outcomes for each. The products on this page for both lines include options that may help manage breakouts.

Which brand has more products that contain no fragrance, Some By Mi or MAC?

Some By Mi has more products that contain no fragrance, as every product on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas 0 of 3 MAC products do.

Which brand offers cleansers and toners specifically rated Superior for dry sensitive skin?

Some By Mi offers cleansers and toners rated Superior for dry sensitive skin, whereas MAC does not feature any products with a Superior fit for that skin type on this page.

When comparing the morning routine for dry skin between both brands, what specific sunscreen does Some By Mi recommend?

For dry skin, the Some By Mi morning routine on this page recommends the V10 Hyal Air Fit Sunscreen.

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?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play