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ISDIN vs MAC

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

ISDIN and MAC are distinct beauty brands with dedicated followings, representing Spanish and Canadian heritages respectively. The Spanish brand is known for sophisticated moisturizers, advanced sunscreens, targeted serums, and soothing eye products driven by meticulously engineered formulas, while the Canadian brand offers reliable moisturizers and makeup removers crafted from carefully balanced formulas. Both provide gentle and effective compositions, with the former suiting sensitive and oily acne-prone skin best, and the latter suiting balanced skin best. They differ primarily in their specialized ranges, where the former emphasizes sun protection and targeted concerns like dark spots, and the latter focuses on thoughtful daily maintenance and makeup removal.

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

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

Popular ISDIN vs MAC products

People Say

ISDINMAC
  • Hydration and plumping 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”
    • “Improved moisture and texture — ISDIN Hyaluronic Moisture”
  • Makeup compatibility Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “foundation glides on — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Sits beautifully under makeup — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “Reduces appearance of pores — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “acts like a primer — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”
  • Texture and finish Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “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”
  • Sensitive skin friendliness Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Sensitive/reactive skin tolerates — ISDIN Hyaluronic Moisture”
    • “no excessive exfoliation — ISDIN Retinal Intense Serum”
    • “Does not cause breakouts — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “Doesn't sting my eyes or blur my vision. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas 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”
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Fragrance and scent issues Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “smell is overpowering — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”
    • “lingering headache inducing effect — ISDIN K-Ox Eyes”
    • “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 or efficacy Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “don't see result — ISDIN K-Ox Eyes”
    • “Not hydrating enough in winter — ISDIN Hyaluronic Concentrate”
    • “Don't expect miracles — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Skin irritation and breakouts Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “mild redness or irritation — ISDIN K-Ox Eyes”
    • “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”
    • “slight peeling — ISDIN Retinal Intense Serum”
    • “caused acne — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”

Questions and answers

ISDIN or MAC: which is better?

ISDIN and MAC both have strengths, with ISDIN performing better for texture and finish, while MAC stands out for hydration, plumping, and makeup compatibility. Reviewers frequently mention high prices for both brands, and all three MAC products on this page contain fragrance compared to only some ISDIN items.

What is the difference between ISDIN and MAC?

ISDIN and MAC differ primarily in their product strengths and review feedback, with ISDIN standing out for its texture and finish while MAC performs better for hydration, plumping, and makeup compatibility. Reviewers note that ISDIN offers ultralight sunscreens and lightweight moisturizers alongside a high price point, whereas MAC is mostly recognized for its makeup bases, primers, and lightweight moisturizers but also receives notes for strong fragrance and sensitivity.

ISDIN or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

For moisturizers on this page, ISDIN features options like Uradin Lotion 10 with a High fit for dry skin, while MAC offers choices like Mineralize Timecheck Lotion also with a High fit for dry skin.

Which is more affordable, ISDIN or MAC?

Both ISDIN and MAC are known for having a high price point according to reviewers on this page. However, shoppers often mention high prices as a negative for both brands.

Which causes fewer breakouts, ISDIN or MAC?

MAC is unlikely to cause as many breakouts as ISDIN, since review themes show that skin irritation and breakouts happen less often with MAC among the products on this page.

Which brand has more products that contain fragrance, ISDIN or MAC?

ISDIN has more products with fragrance than MAC on this page, with five fragranced products compared to MAC's three.

Which brand's products are best suited for sensitive skin, oily acne-prone skin, and dry skin?

ISDIN's products on this page are best suited for sensitive skin, oily acne-prone skin, and dry skin. Reviewers often mention its sunscreens as skin-friendly and ultralight.

Which brand offers sunscreen products like Eryfotona Actinica and Fusion Water?

ISDIN offers the sunscreen products Eryfotona Actinica and Fusion Water, which Lovi rates as having Superior fit levels for various skin types.

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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