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Good Molecules vs MAC

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

Good Molecules and MAC are two distinct beauty companies founded in the Americas, with the former being an American skincare brand established in 2019 and the latter being a Canadian skincare brand established in 1984. The American line is deeply loved for its thoughtful serums, moisturizers, eye products, exfoliants, and more, which are centered around hard-working ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, whereas the Canadian brand is beloved for its thoughtful approach to daily skincare, offering reliable moisturizers and makeup removers crafted from carefully balanced formulas. Products from the first company suit dry skin and skin with dark spots best, benefiting richly from active components that improve hydration, restore barrier function, and lengthen the effect of wrinkle-reducing toxins, while offerings from the second company suit balanced skin best, supported by gentle and effective ingredients that provide a calm and measured foundation for daily maintenance.

Good Molecules is an American skincare brand founded in 2019 and owned by Beautylish, Inc..

beautymatter.comgoodmolecules.compitchbook.compreqin.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 Good Molecules and MAC products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Good Molecules vs MAC products

People Say

Good MoleculesMAC
  • Lightweight and non-greasy texture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “absorbs quickly — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Absorbs in a snap — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “Emulsifies beautifully and rinses off without a greasy film. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “absorbs quickly... zero irritation or tacky feeling — Good Molecules Discoloration Correcting Serum”
  • Affordable price and great value Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “best value for money — Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
    • “great value — Good Molecules Niacinamide Serum”
  • Layers well and works with makeup Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “foundation glides on — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Sits beautifully under makeup — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “works well under makeup — Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
  • Gentle formula and soothing care Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “no skin purging — Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream”
    • “leaves my face feeling clean without the drying — Good Molecules Hydrating Facial Cleansing Gel”
    • “Does not cause breakouts — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “Doesn't sting my eyes or blur my vision. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Improves skin texture and smoothness Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “skin looks like brand new baby skin — Good Molecules Overnight Exfoliating Treatment”
    • “Leaves skin "baby soft," "super smooth," "polished feel" — Good Molecules Pineapple Exfoliating Powder”
    • “softened fine lines — Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream”
    • “petal-soft skin — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Hydrates and plumps the skin Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “skin appears smooth and supple — Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
    • “Skin feels bouncy — Good Molecules Super Peptide Serum”
    • “Leaves skin feeling soft and supple, never tight. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • High price point Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Unpleasant scent or scent expectations Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Strong bergamot smell — Good Molecules Super Peptide Serum”
    • “weird faint smell — Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream”
    • “smelled of glycolic acid — Good Molecules Overnight Exfoliating Treatment”
    • “scent is overpowering — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Slow, no, or limited results Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “didn't really see a difference — Good Molecules Discoloration Correcting Serum”
    • “No change in circles — Good Molecules Yerba Mate Wake Up Eye Gel”
    • “Don't expect miracles — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”

Questions and answers

Good Molecules or MAC: which is better?

Good Molecules offers better affordability and fragrance-free options across the products on this page, while MAC stands out for lightweight makeup bases. Reviewers note that Good Molecules is well-suited for budget-conscious shoppers seeking gentle and hydrating formulas, whereas MAC products feature added fragrance.

What is the difference between Good Molecules and MAC?

Good Molecules offers affordable and highly rated skincare items like serums and moisturizers, whereas MAC focuses more on lightweight makeup bases and primers with a higher price point. Additionally, every product on the Good Molecules page lists no fragrance, while all three MAC products on this page include fragrance.

Good Molecules or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

Good Molecules offers a superior or high Lovi fit for dry skin and dry sensitive skin with moisturizers like the Lightweight Daily Moisturizer and Squalane Oil, while MAC features options like the Mineralize Timecheck Lotion with a high fit for dry skin. Reviewers often mention that the products on this page by Good Molecules are affordable and hydrating.

Which is more affordable, Good Molecules or MAC?

Good Molecules is more affordable, offering affordable and great value serums and moisturizers compared to MAC which has a high price point.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Good Molecules or MAC?

Good Molecules may cause breakouts as a sometimes noted issue, while the products on this page for MAC do not list breakouts as a reviewer concern.

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

Good Molecules has more fragrance-free products, as every product on its page lists no fragrance, whereas none of the products on the MAC page are fragrance-free.

Which brand offers better results for fading dark spots and improving skin texture?

Good Molecules offers better results for fading dark spots and improving skin texture, whereas the products on this page for MAC do not stand out in this area. Good Molecules features specialized formulas that help fade dark spots and smooth skin, backed by clinical studies on key ingredients like niacinamide.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Which brand provides better options for dry skin according to the Lovi fit levels?

Good Molecules provides better options for dry skin on this page, achieving Superior fit ratings for products like its Lightweight Daily Moisturizer and Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30. Reviewers also frequently note that its moisturizers are affordable and hydrating.

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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