🇦🇺Australia

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 a Spanish skincare brand founded in 1975 and a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1980, respectively. Skincare enthusiasts love ISDIN for its sophisticated moisturizers, advanced sunscreens, targeted serums, and soothing eye products, while they deeply adore the other brand for its thoughtfully formulated moisturizers, nourishing serums, rejuvenating masks, refreshing toners, and more, all anchored by its signature ingredient, pitera. The Spanish line suits sensitive skin and oily acne-prone skin best, whereas the Japanese brand suits acne-prone skin and dry skin best. They differ primarily in their heritage, active compositions, and standout solutions addressing dark spots and mature skin.

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

puig.combeautymatter.comuploads.puig.com

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 · A$223.48 · 94% fitBuy SK-II routine · A$1,400.12 · 90% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

ISDIN vs SK-II routines for oily skin

Buy ISDIN routine · A$440.85 · 94% fitBuy SK-II routine · A$1,436.99 · 89% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

ISDIN vs SK-II routines for combination skin

Buy ISDIN routine · A$384.33 · 93% fitBuy SK-II routine · A$1,429.91 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

ISDIN or SK-II: which is better?

Both ISDIN and SK-II achieve a Superior Lovi routine fit for dry and acne-prone skin, while ISDIN also reaches a Superior fit for oily skin, combination skin, sensitive skin, mature skin, skin with dark spots, dry sensitive skin, and oily acne-prone skin. Reviewers find that ISDIN is better for gentle care on sensitive skin and makeup compatibility, whereas SK-II does better at brightening and evening skin tone.

What is the difference between ISDIN and SK-II?

ISDIN and SK-II both feature a routine fit that is Superior for dry, acne-prone, and oily acne-prone skin. ISDIN offers high price points and some products with strong fragrance, whereas the products on this page for SK-II list no fragrance.

ISDIN or SK-II for dry skin?

For dry skin, both ISDIN and SK-II achieve a Lovi fit level of Superior. Reviewers note that both brands offer an equal level of hydrating and smoothing benefits.

ISDIN or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

When comparing moisturizers, both ISDIN and SK-II offer options for various skin types, but Lovi rates them differently depending on your specific needs. For example, the ISDIN Hyaluronic Concentrate has a High fit for sensitive and acne-prone skin, while the SK-II Facial Treatment Essence achieves a High fit across a wider range including dry, mature, and acne-prone skin. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and hydration signs.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, ISDIN or SK-II?

Both brands come with a high price point, but reviewers often mention high prices specifically for ISDIN.

Which brand has better fragrance-free product options between ISDIN and SK-II?

SK-II has better fragrance-free product options because every product on its page lists no fragrance, whereas several ISDIN products include fragrance.

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

ISDIN was founded in 1975 in Spain and is owned by Puig, whereas SK-II was founded in 1980 in Japan and has been owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991.

Which brand performs better when it comes to brightening and evening skin tone?

SK-II performs better when it comes to brightening and evens skin tone compared to ISDIN.

ISDIN or SK-II for oily skin?

For oily skin, Lovi rates ISDIN as having a Superior routine fit, while SK-II achieves a High fit level.

ISDIN or SK-II for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, ISDIN reaches a Superior routine fit level while SK-II achieves a High fit level according to Lovi. Reviewers note that ISDIN is better at being gentle on sensitive skin.

ISDIN or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

Both brands achieve a Superior Lovi fit level for acne-prone skin on the products on this page. ISDIN stands out for being gentle on sensitive skin, while SK-II does better at brightening and evening skin tone.

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?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play