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ISDIN vs SK-II

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

ISDIN and SK-II are international skincare brands that offer thoughtful moisturizers, sunscreens, serums, eye products, restorative masks, and balancing toners. The Spanish brand launched in 1975 and is known for sophisticated formulas driven by careful blending, whereas the Japanese brand founded in 1980 is celebrated for its signature ingredient, pitera. Both brands suit acne-prone skin best, while the former also benefits combination skin and the latter suits dry sensitive skin. They differ in their core offerings and active compositions, with the former nurturing the complexion through reliable, gentle efficacy and the latter measurably improving pore area, roughness, and redness through regular application.

ISDIN is a Spanish skincare brand founded in 1975 and owned by Puig.

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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

This page compares some of the most popular ISDIN and SK-II products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular ISDIN vs SK-II products

People Say

ISDINSK-II
  • Lightweight and fluid texture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “absorbs instantly — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”
    • “ultra-light fluid product, which makes it super easy to apply — ISDIN Fusion Water”
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Hydrating and smoothing Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Improved moisture and texture — ISDIN Hyaluronic Moisture”
    • “skin looks smooth and healthy — ISDIN K-Ox Eyes”
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “skin feels deeply hydrated, plump, and smoother — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
  • Brightens and evens skin tone Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin feels soft as butter — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “gives a glass skin look — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “leaves me with a red carpet glow — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “My hyperpigmentation has lightened and skin looks more even, even shines more. — ISDIN Flavo-C Serum”
  • Gentle on sensitive skin Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Sensitive/reactive skin tolerates — ISDIN Hyaluronic Moisture”
    • “no excessive exfoliation — ISDIN Retinal Intense Serum”
    • “doesn't sting eyes — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”
    • “Great for sensitive — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
  • Makeup compatibility Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “acts like a primer — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”
    • “My skin felt sooo hydrated and looks so plump and dewey. — ISDIN Fusion Water”
    • “Great under makeup — ISDIN Hyaluronic Concentrate”
    • “Dissolves waterproof mascara, melts stubborn makeup, removes sunscreen easily. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
  • High price point Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “very expensive — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”
    • “My only wish is that ISDIN would make this product in a bigger size bottle. — ISDIN Fusion Water”
    • “high cost — ISDIN K-Ox Eyes”
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Strong fragrance and scent issues Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “smell is overpowering — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”
    • “lingering headache inducing effect — ISDIN K-Ox Eyes”
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “smells slightly like saliva — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Lack of results Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “don't see result — ISDIN K-Ox Eyes”
    • “no noticeable changes yet — ISDIN Retinal Intense Serum”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Skin irritation and breakouts Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “mild redness or irritation — ISDIN K-Ox Eyes”
    • “Not hydrating enough in winter — ISDIN Hyaluronic Concentrate”
    • “I think the serum is too strong for my face as it has burned and left very rough and a peeling face. — ISDIN Flavo-C Serum”
    • “caused tiny red bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”

ISDIN vs SK-II routines for dry skin

Buy ISDIN routine · AED 739.63 · 88% fitBuy SK-II routine · AED 2,470.10 · 82% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

ISDIN vs SK-II routines for oily skin

Buy ISDIN routine · AED 1,222.86 · 91% fitBuy SK-II routine · AED 2,468.63 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

ISDIN vs SK-II routines for combination skin

Buy ISDIN routine · AED 1,204.50 · 92% fitBuy SK-II routine · AED 2,424.45 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

ISDIN or SK-II: which is better?

ISDIN and SK-II are both strong options, with ISDIN being superior for sensitive, oily, and combination skin, while SK-II offers fragrance-free formulas and brightens and evens skin tone better.

What is the difference between ISDIN and SK-II?

ISDIN and SK-II are both well-regarded skincare brands, but they differ in their formulations and strengths. ISDIN is often noted for its ultralight sunscreens and gentle formulas that work well for sensitive skin. SK-II, on the other hand, relies heavily on its signature ingredient Pitera across its fragrance-free product range.

ISDIN or SK-II for dry skin?

Both ISDIN and SK-II are a high fit for dry skin on this page. Lovi rates their routines equally for this skin type, so you can choose based on texture preferences or other needs.

ISDIN or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

When it comes to moisturizers, ISDIN and SK-II offer very different options for the products on this page. ISDIN features formulas like Hyaluronic Concentrate and Hyaluronic Moisture, while SK-II relies on its signature Facial Treatment Essence and Skinpower Advanced Cream.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, ISDIN or SK-II?

When it comes to affordability, reviewers on this Lovi page note a high price point for both brands, though ISDIN specifically lists a high price point as a negative review theme.

Between ISDIN and SK-II, which brand is better for reducing dark spots?

Between ISDIN and SK-II, Lovi gives ISDIN a Superior fit level for skin with dark spots, whereas SK-II gets a High fit level.

Which skincare brand uses fragrance, ISDIN or SK-II?

ISDIN uses fragrance in several of its products on this page, while every SK-II product lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

ISDIN or SK-II: which brand is better suited for mature skin?

ISDIN is better suited for mature skin on this page, achieving a Lovi fit level of Superior compared to SK-II's High. Lovi shows that ISDIN offers standout mature skin options like Eryfotona Actinica sunscreen, while SK-II products on this page list no fragrance.

ISDIN or SK-II for oily skin?

For oily skin, Lovi rates ISDIN as Superior and SK-II as High. ISDIN helps oily skin through its lightweight sunscreens and serums like Flavo-C Serum.

ISDIN or SK-II for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, Lovi gives ISDIN a Superior fit while SK-II receives a High fit. ISDIN does better at being gentle on sensitive skin.

ISDIN or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, both brands do well and Lovi rates them as Superior. The products on this page help provide good options for this skin type without causing trouble.

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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