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COSRX vs MAC

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

COSRX and MAC are distinct beauty brands that cater to different complexion needs through expertly crafted formulations. COSRX is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2013 and owned by Amorepacific Group since 2024, dearly loved for its expertly formulated serums, moisturizers, cleansers, masks, and more, which thoughtfully incorporate hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide. MAC is a Canadian skincare brand founded in 1984 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 1994, beloved for its thoughtful approach to daily skincare, offering reliable moisturizers and makeup removers crafted from carefully balanced formulas. While the former brand suits acne-prone skin and oily skin best because of balancing, clarifying, and restorative components, the latter brand suits balanced skin best, supported by gentle and effective ingredients.

COSRX is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2013 and owned by Amorepacific Group since 2024.

koreajoongangdaily.combeautymatter.comprnewswire.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 COSRX and MAC products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular COSRX vs MAC products

People Say

COSRXMAC
  • Deep hydration and moisture Mostly 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”
    • “skin drinks it up — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
  • Skin texture improvement Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “gives me that glass skin look — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “skin feels softer immediately — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
    • “Reduces appearance of pores — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “petal-soft skin — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Excellent makeup base and primer Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “foundation glides on — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Sits beautifully under makeup — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Lightweight and fast-absorbing texture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “absorbs instantly like water — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
    • “sinks in immediately — COSRX Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream”
    • “absorbs practically immediately — COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)”
    • “Emulsifies beautifully and rinses off without a greasy film. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Soothing and calming Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “No stinging or irritation — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “perfect for first-time retinol users — COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
    • “calms down my redness — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
  • Effective acne and pore control Often MentionedNot noted
    • “helped to improve my acne after only 2 weeks — COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser”
    • “cleared up my spots — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
    • “Melted blackheads right off — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
  • Price per value and high price point Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive for me — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Caused breakouts and acne Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “too slimy and sticky — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “gave me fungal acne — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “caused acne — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Breaks me out, I got pimples from this. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Drying for dry skin Often MentionedNot noted
    • “left my face tight — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”

Questions and answers

COSRX or MAC: which is better?

COSRX is generally better suited for everyday skincare due to its extensive range of gentle, targeted formulas, while MAC focuses more on makeup preparation and lightweight moisturizers. Reviewers note that COSRX excels in soothing, acne control, and fast-absorbing textures, whereas MAC products on this page frequently feature strong fragrance and carry a higher price point.

What is the difference between COSRX and MAC?

COSRX focuses on acne control, soothing, and lightweight textures with mostly fragrance-free products, while MAC emphasizes makeup bases, primers, and lightweight moisturizers with fragranced formulations. COSRX fits acne-prone, oily, and sensitive skin best, and reviewers frequently mention MAC's higher price point and strong fragrance compared to COSRX.

COSRX or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

COSRX offers a wider range of moisturizers with higher Lovi fit levels across most skin types compared to MAC. For instance, the COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence achieves a Superior fit for dry, sensitive, oily, and mature skin, while MAC moisturizers generally score lower fit ratings.

Which is more affordable, COSRX or MAC?

COSRX is more affordable on this page, as MAC is noted for a high price point. Reviewers often mention COSRX for better price per value.

Which causes fewer breakouts, COSRX or MAC?

COSRX and MAC perform equally when it comes to breakouts, as both brands are noted for causing breakouts and acne to a similar degree. However, the products on this page from COSRX offer effective acne and pore control.

Which brand has more products that are fragrance-free, COSRX or MAC?

COSRX has significantly more fragrance-free products on the page, with 37 out of 38 products listing no fragrance compared to none for MAC.

Which brand was founded earlier and in which country, COSRX or MAC?

COSRX was founded earlier in South Korea in 2013, whereas MAC was founded in Canada in 1984.

Which brand offers better results for deep hydration and moisture according to review themes?

According to the review themes on this page, MAC offers better results for deep hydration and moisture.

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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