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COSRX vs ISDIN

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

COSRX and ISDIN are two distinct skincare lines established to support diverse complexions. The Korean brand, founded in 2013 and owned by Amorepacific Group since 2024, is dearly loved for its expertly formulated serums, moisturizers, cleansers, masks, and more, which thoughtfully incorporate hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide to suit acne-prone skin and oily skin best. In contrast, the Spanish brand, founded in 1975 and owned by Puig, is beloved for its sophisticated moisturizers, advanced sunscreens, targeted serums, and soothing eye products driven by meticulously crafted formulas that suit dry skin and combination skin best. While both offer standout products for specific concerns like dark spots, mature skin, and acne-prone skin, they differ fundamentally in their geographical origins, foundational release dates, corporate parent companies, and primary ingredient philosophies.

COSRX is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2013 and owned by Amorepacific Group since 2024.

koreajoongangdaily.combeautymatter.comprnewswire.com

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

puig.combeautymatter.comuploads.puig.com

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

Popular COSRX vs ISDIN products

People Say

COSRXISDIN
  • Lightweight and fast-absorbing texture Often 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”
    • “absorbs instantly like water — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
  • Deep hydration and moisturization Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin drinks it up — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “woke up with soft, supple skin — COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream”
    • “Improved moisture and texture — ISDIN Hyaluronic Moisture”
    • “My skin felt sooo hydrated and looks so plump and dewey. — ISDIN Fusion Water”
  • Gentle and non-stripping formulation Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “No stinging or irritation — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “perfect for first-time retinol users — COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
    • “Sensitive/reactive skin tolerates — ISDIN Hyaluronic Moisture”
    • “no excessive exfoliation — ISDIN Retinal Intense Serum”
  • Skin texture and smoothing improvement Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “gives me that glass skin look — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “skin feels softer immediately — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
    • “Skin feels like glass — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “skin looks smooth and healthy — ISDIN K-Ox Eyes”
  • Invisible and non-greasy sunscreen finish Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “doesn't leave you white as a ghost — ISDIN Fusion Water”
    • “dries down matte — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”
    • “Non-greasy — ISDIN Hyaluronic Moisture”
    • “dark skin friendly — COSRX Ultra-Light Invisible Sunscreen”
  • Effective acne and pore control Often MentionedNot noted
    • “extremely gentle — COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner”
    • “helped to improve my acne after only 2 weeks — COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser”
    • “cleared up my spots — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
  • Strong scent or medicinal fragrance Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like chemicals — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
    • “smells like onions — COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
    • “smell is overpowering — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”
    • “lingering headache inducing effect — ISDIN K-Ox Eyes”
  • Packaging and size issues Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “My only wish is that ISDIN would make this product in a bigger size bottle. — ISDIN Fusion Water”
    • “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”
    • “only 20mls... significantly less product — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”
  • Price and value considerations Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “expensive for me — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”
    • “very expensive — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”

COSRX vs ISDIN routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

COSRX vs ISDIN routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

COSRX vs ISDIN routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

COSRX or ISDIN: which is better?

Both COSRX and ISDIN offer great options depending on your skincare goals, with ISDIN achieving a Superior routine fit for dry, combination, and mature skin, while COSRX delivers effective acne control and better value. Hyaluronic acid helps maintain deep skin hydration across the products on this page.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

What is the difference between COSRX and ISDIN?

COSRX is better for effective acne and pore control and skin texture improvement, while ISDIN is better known for ultralight, makeup-friendly sunscreens. For overall routine fit, Lovi rates COSRX as High to Superior across skin types, whereas ISDIN is rated Superior for all listed skin types.

COSRX or ISDIN for dry skin?

For dry skin, ISDIN offers a Superior routine fit, while COSRX has a High fit on this page. COSRX is often noted for deep hydration and moisturization.

COSRX or ISDIN: which moisturizer is better?

When choosing a moisturizer, ISDIN achieves a Superior routine fit for dry skin, whereas COSRX achieves a High routine fit for dry skin on this page. Both brands offer lightweight options, but COSRX is often noted for better value considerations.

Which is more affordable, COSRX or ISDIN?

COSRX is more affordable than ISDIN. Reviewers on the products on this page often mention that ISDIN has a high price point, while COSRX wins on price and value considerations.

COSRX or ISDIN: which brand is better for reducing dark spots?

ISDIN is the better brand for reducing dark spots because Lovi rates its routine as Superior for this concern, compared to High for COSRX. ISDIN features targeted options such as Retinal Intense Serum and Eryfotona Actinica, while COSRX relies on ingredients like niacinamide which helps manage pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

COSRX or ISDIN: which brand has more fragrance-free products?

COSRX has more fragrance-free products on this page, as 37 of its 38 products list no fragrance compared to only 3 of the 8 ISDIN products.

COSRX or ISDIN: which brand is better for mature skin routines?

ISDIN is better for mature skin routines, as Lovi rates its routine fit as Superior compared to High for COSRX. ISDIN provides ultralight sunscreens and specialized anti-aging treatments like its Retinal Intense Serum that help improve skin appearance.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Archives of Dermatology, 2007

COSRX or ISDIN for oily skin?

Both COSRX and ISDIN offer a Superior fit for oily skin. Reviewers note that COSRX provides effective acne and pore control, while ISDIN stands out for its ultralight sunscreens.

COSRX or ISDIN: which sunscreen is better?

Both COSRX and ISDIN offer sunscreens with High or Superior Lovi fit levels across skin types, but the products on this page show that ISDIN does better for an invisible and non-greasy sunscreen finish. COSRX sunscreens are virtually fragrance-free with 37 of 38 products listing no fragrance, whereas 5 of 8 ISDIN sunscreens on this page contain fragrance.

COSRX or ISDIN for sensitive skin?

Both COSRX and ISDIN fit sensitive skin well, with Lovi rating COSRX as Superior and ISDIN as Superior. COSRX features gentle formulas where nearly all products on this page list no fragrance, while ISDIN is known for ultralight sunscreens.

COSRX or ISDIN for acne-prone skin?

Both COSRX and ISDIN offer superior routine fit for acne-prone skin on this page. COSRX provides products with effective acne control and clearing, while ISDIN features lightweight sunscreens.

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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