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CeraVe vs MAC

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

CeraVe and MAC are American and Canadian skincare brands founded in 2005 and 1984, respectively. Skincare enthusiasts love both for their thoughtfully formulated moisturizers, cleansers, serums, sunscreens, and makeup removers, which harness hydrating hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and carefully balanced formulas. While the American brand suits acne-prone skin and dry skin best through soothing formulations, the Canadian brand suits balanced skin best. Ultimately, they differ as the former relies on active ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin to perform essential functions, whereas the latter provides a calm and measured foundation for daily maintenance.

CeraVe is an American skincare brand founded in 2005 and owned by L'Oréal since 2017.

en.wikipedia.orghappi.comloreal-finance.comcerave.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 CeraVe and MAC products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular CeraVe vs MAC products

People Say

CeraVeMAC
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Saved my dry winter skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “doesn't leave face tight — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “absorbs quickly — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Absorbs in a snap — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Gentle and Sensitive Skin Care Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “no burning sensation — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “No scent, no irritation — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “Sinks in immediately — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “Does not cause breakouts — MAC Mineralize Timecheck 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”
  • Skin Texture Improvement Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “difference in my skin's texture is noticeable — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
    • “smoother complexion — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “less greasy — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
    • “petal-soft skin — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Makeup Removal Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Removes waterproof mascara completely without needing a separate remover. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “picks up lingering makeup — CeraVe Hydrating Toner”
  • Value and Price Often MentionedNot noted
    • “reasonably priced — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “Huge tub lasts forever — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “Great everyday moisturizer — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
  • High Price Point Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive Vaseline — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Texture and Formulation Issues Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Felt sticky to me — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “Has a scent that might irritate very sensitive noses. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “feels like washing with conditioner — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
  • Breakouts and Skin Congestion Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Gave me cystic acne — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “gave me closed comedones — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “caused acne — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Breaks me out, I got pimples from this. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Burning, Irritation, and Sensitivity Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Stung my raw skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “burns my damaged skin — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “caused acne — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Stings if it accidentally gets into the eyes. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”

Questions and answers

CeraVe or MAC: which is better?

CeraVe generally offers a better fit for value, gentle care, and skin texture improvement among the products on this page, whereas MAC does better for makeup removal and priming. CeraVe achieves a High or Superior Lovi fit across many skin types with fragrance-free formulas, while MAC products on this page contain fragrance.

What is the difference between CeraVe and MAC?

CeraVe offers fragrance-free products with a focus on value, hydration, and gentle care, whereas MAC features formulations with fragrance and a stronger emphasis on makeup bases and primers. For sensitive skin care and skin texture improvement, CeraVe is better, while MAC does better for makeup removal.

CeraVe or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

CeraVe offers a wider range of moisturizers with fragrance-free formulas that reviewers frequently praise for providing deep hydration and a lightweight, non-greasy feel. MAC features lightweight moisturizers like the Hyper Real Serumizer, but its products on this page contain fragrance.

Which is more affordable, CeraVe or MAC?

CeraVe is more affordable than MAC, as review themes note that CeraVe offers better value and price while MAC has a high price point.

Which causes fewer breakouts, CeraVe or MAC?

Both brands perform equally when it comes to breakouts and skin congestion, as reviewers note occasional breakouts from products across both lines.

How do CeraVe and MAC compare in terms of fragrance and skin sensitivity?

CeraVe does better for sensitive skin because every product on its page lists no fragrance, whereas MAC includes fragrance in all of its products on this page.

Which brand has more products for dry skin and acne-prone skin?

CeraVe has more products for dry skin and acne-prone skin on this page, as it offers a large range with high to superior Lovi fit levels for these skin types. Reviewers also mention that CeraVe provides effective cleansers for acne and deep hydration.

What are the main differences in the company origins and ownership of CeraVe and MAC?

CeraVe was founded in 2005 in the United States and has been owned by L'Oréal since 2017. In contrast, MAC was founded in 1984 in Canada and has been owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 1994.

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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