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Bioderma vs MAC

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

Bioderma and MAC are distinct beauty houses, with the French skincare brand founded in 1977 and owned by Jean-Noël Thorel Foundation since 2018, and the Canadian skincare brand founded in 1984 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 1994. Bioderma is known for its moisturizers, makeup removers, serums, cleansers, and more, anchored by nourishing glycerin, while MAC is beloved for its thoughtful approach to daily skincare, offering reliable moisturizers and makeup removers crafted from carefully balanced formulas. The former suits sensitive skin and acne-prone skin best, gently addressing reactivity with high-tolerance formulations, whereas the latter suits balanced skin best, supported by gentle and effective ingredients. They differ in their core focus, as the French house delivers key ingredients that improve skin hydration and restore barrier function, while the Canadian brand provides a calm and measured foundation for daily maintenance.

Bioderma is a French skincare brand founded in 1977 and owned by Jean-Noël Thorel Foundation since 2018.

bioderma.usnaos.com

MAC is a Canadian skincare brand founded in 1984 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 1994.

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This page compares some of the most popular Bioderma and MAC products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Bioderma vs MAC products

People Say

BiodermaMAC
  • Gentle and Non-Irritating Formula Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “doesn't sting my eyes — Bioderma Sensibio H2O”
    • “melts every bit of make up and SPF off — Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Cleansing Oil”
    • “doesn't cause any irritation — Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Cleansing Oil”
    • “Emulsifies beautifully and rinses off without a greasy film. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Makeup Base and Primer Qualities Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “foundation glides on — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Sits beautifully under makeup — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “lit-from-within look — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Keeps you shine free — Bioderma Sébium Pore Refiner”
  • Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “absorbs quickly — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Absorbs in a snap — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “healed my dry skin — Bioderma Sébium Hydra”
  • Cleansing and Makeup Removal Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “feels like water — Bioderma Sensibio H2O”
    • “I love that it's non-greasy and absorbs quickly. — Bioderma Pigmentbio Sensitive Areas”
    • “Removes waterproof mascara completely without needing a separate remover. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Price and Value Concerns Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “pricier than other brands — Bioderma Sensibio Gel Moussant”
    • “finished too quickly — Bioderma Hydrabio Serum”
    • “pricey for water — Bioderma Sensibio H2O”
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Texture and Residue Issues Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Don't expect miracles — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “Felt sticky to me — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “requires a thorough follow-up — Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Cleansing Oil”
  • Skin Irritation and Breakouts Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “caused acne — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Breaks me out, I got pimples from this. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “Stings if it accidentally gets into the eyes. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “broke me out — Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Baume”

Questions and answers

Bioderma or MAC: which is better?

Bioderma tends to be better for gentle, non-irritating care and soothing barrier-repair, whereas MAC is often noted for makeup bases, primers, and lightweight moisturizers. Reviewers mention that Bioderma products on this page help with sensitive and acne-prone skin, while MAC formulas may carry a stronger fragrance.

What is the difference between Bioderma and MAC?

Bioderma focuses on sensitive, acne-prone, and dry skin with gentle formulas containing key ingredients like glycerin, whereas MAC offers makeup bases, primers, and lightweight moisturizers. Reviewers note that Bioderma does better with gentle and non-irritating formulas, while MAC excels in makeup base and primer qualities.

Bioderma or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

Bioderma offers a wider variety of moisturizers on this page with better fit levels for dry and sensitive skin, while MAC provides lightweight options that often feature strong fragrances. Reviewers note that Bioderma excels in soothing and barrier-repairing moisturizers.

Which is more affordable, Bioderma or MAC?

Reviewers note high price point and value concerns for Bioderma and a high price point for MAC, and the products on this page show that both brands span various pricing levels without one being definitively more affordable across all options.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Bioderma or MAC?

Bioderma tends to cause fewer breakouts than MAC, as skin irritation and breakouts are a noted issue for MAC while Bioderma is recognized for gentle formulas that fit acne-prone skin well.

When was Bioderma founded and who owns it compared to MAC?

Bioderma was founded in 1977 in France and is owned by the Jean-Noël Thorel Foundation, whereas MAC was founded in 1984 in Canada and is owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.

How many products from Bioderma list no fragrance versus MAC?

For the products on this page, Bioderma has 9 products that list no fragrance, whereas MAC has 0.

What are the recommended steps in the Bioderma routine for dry skin?

The recommended steps in the Bioderma routine for dry skin include using a cleanser and hydrating toner in the morning, followed by a serum or treatment and moisturizer in the evening, with a nourishing mask added once a week.

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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