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The INKEY List vs ISDIN

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

The INKEY List and ISDIN are distinct skincare brands offering targeted moisturizers, serums, toners, eye products, and more. The INKEY List is a British brand founded in 2018, known for glycerin-based formulas that suit sensitive skin and combination skin best. Conversely, ISDIN is a Spanish brand founded in 1975, celebrated for sophisticated formulas that likewise suit acne-prone skin and combination skin best. While both brands feature standout products for specific concerns like dark spots and mature skin, they differ in their origin, founding era, and foundational ingredients.

The INKEY List is a British skincare brand founded in 2018 and owned by Brand Evangelists for Beauty Limited.

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

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

Popular The INKEY List vs ISDIN products

People Say

The INKEY ListISDIN
  • Lightweight and Fast-Absorbing Texture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “absorbs instantly — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”
    • “ultra-light fluid product, which makes it super easy to apply — ISDIN Fusion Water”
    • “Lightweight formula absorbs fast — ISDIN Hyaluronic Concentrate”
    • “sits beautifully under makeup — The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream”
  • Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Improved moisture and texture — ISDIN Hyaluronic Moisture”
    • “My skin felt sooo hydrated and looks so plump and dewey. — ISDIN Fusion Water”
    • “skin looks smooth and healthy — ISDIN K-Ox Eyes”
    • “Super hydrating — The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum”
  • Gentle on Skin and Sensitive Formulations Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Safe and gentle especially for my dry, sensitive skin — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
    • “calmed my menopausal redness — The INKEY List ECTOIN HYDRO-BARRIER SERUM”
    • “Sensitive/reactive skin tolerates — ISDIN Hyaluronic Moisture”
    • “no excessive exfoliation — ISDIN Retinal Intense Serum”
  • Skin Smoothing and Anti-Aging Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “skin looks fresh and plump — The INKEY List Collagen Peptide Serum”
    • “Great for sensitive skin — The INKEY List PHA Toner”
    • “My hyperpigmentation has lightened and skin looks more even, even shines more. — ISDIN Flavo-C Serum”
    • “skin was much smoother — ISDIN Retinal Intense Serum”
  • Affordable Price and Value Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “Good for the price — The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser”
    • “One of the best balms for quality and also price — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
    • “unbeatable value — The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
  • Makeup Compatibility Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “no pilling under makeup — The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
    • “Brilliant makeup base — The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum”
    • “acts like a primer — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”
    • “Great under makeup — ISDIN Hyaluronic Concentrate”
  • Unpleasant Scent or Strong Fragrance Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Smells like BBQ/meat — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
    • “Smells like chemicals — The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum”
    • “smells plasticky — The INKEY List ECTOIN HYDRO-BARRIER SERUM”
    • “smell is overpowering — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”
  • Packaging and Quality Issues Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Pump stopped working — ISDIN Hyaluronic Concentrate”
    • “I like the actual product, but the packaging is awful, I've already lost three bottles the applicator pops off. — ISDIN Flavo-C Serum”
    • “Pump breaks easily — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
  • High Price Point Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “very expensive — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”

The INKEY List vs ISDIN routines for dry skin

Buy ISDIN routine · AED 739.63 · 88% fitBuy The INKEY List routine · AED 474.43 · 80% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

The INKEY List vs ISDIN routines for oily skin

Buy ISDIN routine · AED 1,222.86 · 91% fitBuy The INKEY List routine · AED 776.59 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

The INKEY List vs ISDIN routines for combination skin

Buy ISDIN routine · AED 1,204.50 · 92% fitBuy The INKEY List routine · AED 725.13 · 89% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

The INKEY List or ISDIN: which is better?

The INKEY List offers better affordability and value, whereas ISDIN excels with a lightweight and fast-absorbing texture as well as superior hydration and moisture.

What is the difference between The INKEY List and ISDIN?

The INKEY List offers much more affordable serums and moisturizers, whereas ISDIN stands out for its ultralight sunscreens and superior routine fits for oily, acne-prone, and mature skin.

The INKEY List or ISDIN for dry skin?

Both The INKEY List and ISDIN fit dry skin at a High level on this page. The INKEY List offers budget-friendly options, while ISDIN provides lightweight textures that users frequently mention.

The INKEY List or ISDIN: which moisturizer is better?

When comparing moisturizers, The INKEY List focuses on hydration and affordability, while ISDIN emphasizes lightweight textures. For dry skin, the routine fit for the products on this page is High for both brands.

Which is more affordable, The INKEY List or ISDIN?

The INKEY List is more affordable, as reviewers highlight its affordable moisturizers and serums while noting a high price point for ISDIN.

Between The INKEY List and ISDIN, which brand offers better options for dark spots?

ISDIN offers better options for dark spots because its routine fit for skin with dark spots is Superior, whereas The INKEY List fit is High.

How do The INKEY List and ISDIN compare in terms of fragrance and scent?

The INKEY List offers fragrance-free options as every product on the products on this page lists no fragrance, whereas ISDIN includes added fragrance in several of its formulas. Reviewers sometimes note a strong fragrance for ISDIN, while The INKEY List sometimes receives notes of an unpleasant smell or scent.

Which brand has more products suitable for mature skin, The INKEY List or ISDIN?

ISDIN offers more products that achieve a Superior Lovi fit for mature skin, such as Eryfotona Actinica, compared to The INKEY List.

The INKEY List or ISDIN for oily skin?

ISDIN is the better choice for oily skin, as Lovi rates its routine fit as Superior compared to High for The INKEY List.

The INKEY List or ISDIN for sensitive skin?

Both The INKEY List and ISDIN achieve a Superior Lovi fit level for sensitive skin, making them equally good options.

The INKEY List or ISDIN for acne-prone skin?

Both The INKEY List and ISDIN fit acne-prone skin well, with ISDIN achieving a Superior routine fit and The INKEY List reaching a High routine fit.

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

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