🇬🇧United Kingdom

Pixi vs MAC

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

Pixi and MAC are distinct beauty houses offering carefully balanced formulas for daily routines. The British brand founded in 1999 features toners, serums, eye products, and moisturizers that suit sensitive and mature skin best, while the Canadian brand established in 1984 relies on gentle, effective ingredients like reliable moisturizers and makeup removers tailored for balanced skin. For specific concerns, the former provides targeted treatments such as the Glow Tonic, Glow Peel Pads, and Retinol Tonic, whereas the latter offers options like the Mineralize Timecheck Lotion, Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil, and Hyper Real Serumizer. Ultimately, these thoughtful offerings differ in their specialized botanical focuses and ideal skin types, yet both provide a calm and measured foundation for daily maintenance.

Pixi is a British skincare brand founded in 1999.

pixibeauty.comtracxn.compitchbook.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 Pixi and MAC products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Pixi vs MAC products

People Say

PixiMAC
  • 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”
    • “Instant surge of hydration — Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist”
  • Radiance and Glow Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “gives instant glow — Pixi Glow Tonic”
    • “instantly cooling upon application — Pixi DetoxifEYE Depuffing Eye Patches”
    • “Skin is noticeably brighter — Pixi Glow Peel Pads”
    • “lit-from-within look — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • 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”
  • Lightweight Texture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Absorbs quickly — Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist”
    • “unique gel-like texture — Pixi Antioxidant Tonic”
    • “Emulsifies beautifully and rinses off without a greasy film. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Gentle Exfoliation and Texture Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Skin feels incredible, so smooth — Pixi Glow Peel Pads”
    • “doesn't sting — Pixi Glow Tonic”
    • “forehead bumps gone — Pixi Glow Tonic”
    • “petal-soft skin — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Soothing and Calming Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “calms my redness instantly — Pixi Rose Tonic”
    • “Gentle enough for regular use — Pixi Retinol Tonic”
    • “knocks my redness down — Pixi Antioxidant Tonic”
    • “Does not cause breakouts — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Price and Value Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Bottle is too small — Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist”
    • “Slight downside is the price — Pixi Glow Peel Pads”
    • “bottle is very small — Pixi Rose Oil Blend”
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Fragrance and Scent Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “smell is overpowering — Pixi Glow Tonic”
    • “Scent is too strong — Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist”
    • “scent is overpowering — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Has a scent that might irritate very sensitive noses. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Application and Packaging Issues Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Felt sticky to me — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “slippery and won't stay put — Pixi DetoxifEYE Depuffing Eye Patches”

Questions and answers

Pixi or MAC: which is better?

For hydration and moisture, MAC works better as review themes indicate, while Pixi provides superior results for radiance and glow. Hyaluronic acid helps improve skin moisture and anti-aging signs in the products on this page.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

What is the difference between Pixi and MAC?

Pixi features products on this page that provide gentle exfoliation, radiance, and soothing care, while MAC focuses on makeup bases, primers, and lightweight moisturizers. Lovi rates Pixi best for sensitive, mature, and dry skin.

Pixi or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

For moisturizers, Pixi has the Rose Oil Blend, which has a High fit for dry skin, while MAC offers options like the Hyper Real Serumizer and Mineralize Timecheck Lotion, which have a High fit for dry sensitive skin. Reviewers note that MAC moisturizers are lightweight, whereas Pixi products provide deep hydration.

Which is more affordable, Pixi or MAC?

Pixi is more affordable than MAC, as reviewers often mention high price points for MAC while noting price and value as an advantage for Pixi.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Pixi or MAC?

When it comes to acne-prone skin, the products on this page by Pixi include items with Superior fits like Glow Tonic and Retinol Tonic, while MAC does not highlight specific acne routines. Hyaluronic acid helps retain skin moisture, and aloe vera helps support skin healing.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

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

MAC was founded earlier in 1984 in Canada, whereas Pixi was founded in 1999 in the United Kingdom.

How many products list no fragrance for Pixi compared to MAC according to the page?

According to the page, 7 of 10 products list no fragrance for Pixi, compared to 0 of 3 products for MAC.

What skin types does Pixi fit best based on its brand-focused routines?

Based on its brand-focused routines, Pixi fits sensitive skin, mature skin, and dry skin best.

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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