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SK-II vs MAC

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

SK-II and MAC represent two distinct approaches to beauty care from their respective Japanese and Canadian origins. The former brand is cherished worldwide for its luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, clarifying toners, and restorative masks anchored by pitera, while the latter brand is beloved for its thoughtful approach to daily skincare featuring reliable moisturizers and makeup removers crafted from balanced formulas. The Japanese line suits dry and acne-prone skin best, using formulations like the Genoptics Ultraura Essence, the Facial Treatment Essence, and the Facial Treatment Clear Lotion to target pore area, roughness, and redness, whereas the Canadian line suits balanced skin best with gentle options such as the Mineralize Timecheck Lotion, the Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil, and the Hyper Real Serumizer. These offerings ultimately differ because both brands serve different routines, with one focusing on restorative ingredient-led transformation and the other providing a calm foundation for daily maintenance.

SK-II is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1980 and owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991.

en.wikipedia.orgdiscoversk-ii.wixsite.comglossy.co

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 SK-II and MAC products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular SK-II vs MAC products

People Say

SK-IIMAC
  • Lightweight absorption and texture Often 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”
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Radiance and glow Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “gives a glass skin look — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “leaves me with a red carpet glow — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “My skin is glowing now. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
    • “lit-from-within look — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Hydration and balance Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “skin feels deeply hydrated, plump, and smoother — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “Leaves skin soft, feels moisturized, does not dry out skin. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
    • “Leaves skin feeling soft and supple, never tight. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Excellent makeup base Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “foundation glides on — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Sits beautifully under makeup — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Improves skin texture Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “skin feels soft as butter — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Removes leftover dirt — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “petal-soft skin — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Effective makeup removal Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Removes waterproof mascara completely without needing a separate remover. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “Dissolves waterproof mascara, melts stubborn makeup, removes sunscreen easily. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
  • High price Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “A bit expensive — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “It is expensive - very expensive. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Unpleasant scent or fragrance Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “smells slightly like saliva — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “scent is overpowering — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Has a scent that might irritate very sensitive noses. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Lack of results Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Don't expect miracles — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Breakouts and purging Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “caused tiny red bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Small bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “did break out some while adjusting — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “caused acne — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”

Questions and answers

SK-II or MAC: which is better?

SK-II is better for hydration and glow as the products on this page feature Pitera and no fragrance, whereas MAC is often mentioned for strong fragrance and sensitivity.

What is the difference between SK-II and MAC?

SK-II helps provide better hydration and radiance through products like Facial Treatment Essence, while MAC is mostly mentioned for its lightweight makeup bases and primers. Lovi rates SK-II as a High fit for dry and acne-prone skin, whereas MAC products on this page often contain fragrance which may cause sensitivity.

SK-II or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

SK-II is better for hydration and balance, with the products on this page rated High for dry skin, while MAC offers lightweight absorption and texture.

Which is more affordable, SK-II or MAC?

MAC is noted for having a high price point among the products on this page, while SK-II does not list price as a frequent review theme.

Which causes fewer breakouts, SK-II or MAC?

MAC causes fewer breakouts because SK-II is noted for more breakouts and purging among the products on this page.

How do the founding years and corporate ownership of SK-II and MAC compare?

SK-II was founded in Japan in 1980 and has been owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991, whereas MAC was founded in Canada in 1984 and has been owned by The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. since 1994.

Which brand has products that contain no fragrance, SK-II or MAC?

SK-II has products on this page that list no fragrance, whereas every MAC product on this page includes fragrance in its ingredients.

What are the specific Lovi fit levels for the SK-II Facial Treatment Essence across different skin types?

Lovi rates the SK-II Facial Treatment Essence with a High fit level for dry, acne-prone, dry sensitive, dark spots, mature, combination, and sensitive skin types. For oily and oily acne-prone skin, Lovi rates the product with an Average fit level.

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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