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The Ordinary vs ISDIN

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

The Ordinary and ISDIN are established skincare brands that offer distinct approaches to daily regimens. The Canadian brand centers its serums, moisturizers, cleansers, toners, and more on hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, while the Spanish brand is beloved for its sophisticated moisturizers, advanced sunscreens, targeted serums, and soothing eye products. Both brands suit dry skin best, though the former also fits sensitive skin and the latter suits combination skin, creating a clear difference in their target audiences.

The Ordinary is a Canadian skincare brand founded in 2016 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 2021.

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

Popular The Ordinary vs ISDIN products

People Say

The OrdinaryISDIN
  • Lightweight Texture and Absorption Sometimes NotedMostly 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”
    • “Sinks in immediately — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
  • Skin Texture and Smoothing Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “glass skin effect — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
    • “skin feels baby butt smooth — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
    • “skin looks smooth and healthy — ISDIN K-Ox Eyes”
    • “I am more on a dehydrated side and this helps me look hydrated and smooth. — ISDIN Flavo-C Serum”
  • Affordability and Value Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “lasts forever — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
    • “can't beat the price — The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution”
    • “extremely affordable — The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%”
  • Hydration and Plumping Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Improved moisture and texture — ISDIN Hyaluronic Moisture”
    • “My skin felt sooo hydrated and looks so plump and dewey. — ISDIN Fusion Water”
    • “Skin feels intensely hydrated — ISDIN Hyaluronic Concentrate”
    • “skin feels immediately hydrated — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • Acne and Blemish Control Often MentionedNot noted
    • “pimples disappear within a day — The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution”
    • “scars and hormonal acne faded — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
    • “faded dark spots — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
  • Texture Issues and Pilling Mostly MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Pilled up on my skin — ISDIN Hyaluronic Moisture”
    • “crumbles and piles under moisturizer — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
  • High Price Point Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Expensive for Ordinary — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
    • “very expensive — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”
  • Fragrance and Scent Concerns Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Smells like vinegar — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
    • “smell is unbearable — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
    • “has a slight chemical smell — The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA”
    • “smell is overpowering — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”
  • Skin Irritation and Sensitivity Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “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”
    • “irritated AF the next day — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”

The Ordinary vs ISDIN routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

The Ordinary vs ISDIN routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

The Ordinary vs ISDIN routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or ISDIN: which is better?

Both brands offer an equal routine fit across all skin types on this page. The Ordinary is often praised for affordability and acne care, while ISDIN stands out for its lightweight sunscreens and hydration.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and ISDIN?

The Ordinary focuses on targeted, affordable ingredients like niacinamide that help fade dark spots, whereas ISDIN leans toward ultralight, highly rated sunscreens and lightweight moisturizers. Lovi rates both brands as having a Superior routine fit for nearly every skin type. While The Ordinary offers fragrance-free options across the products on this page, ISDIN features some products with fragrance.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

The Ordinary or ISDIN for dry skin?

Both The Ordinary and ISDIN offer a Superior Lovi fit level for dry skin. The products on this page for both brands provide great hydration options, with The Ordinary focusing on affordability and ISDIN excelling in lightweight texture.

The Ordinary or ISDIN: which moisturizer is better?

When it comes to moisturizers, The Ordinary provides better affordability and value, while ISDIN stands out for offering lightweight hydration. Lovi gives both brands a Superior routine fit for dry skin. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or ISDIN?

The Ordinary is more affordable, as it is known for affordability and value among the products on this page.

Which brand has more fragrance-free products, The Ordinary or ISDIN?

The Ordinary has more fragrance-free products, as every product on its page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, while only 3 of 8 products on the ISDIN page do.

How do the founding years and parent companies of The Ordinary and ISDIN compare?

The Ordinary was founded in 2016 in Canada and is owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. In comparison, ISDIN was founded earlier in 1975 in Spain and is owned by Puig.

Which brand performs better for hydration and plumping according to review themes?

ISDIN performs better for hydration and plumping according to review themes. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of skin aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or ISDIN for sensitive skin?

Both The Ordinary and ISDIN offer a Superior routine fit for sensitive skin. However, the products on this page from The Ordinary list no fragrance across their ingredients, whereas 5 of 8 ISDIN products contain fragrance.

The Ordinary or ISDIN for acne-prone skin?

Both The Ordinary and ISDIN offer products that help with acne-prone skin. Lovi rates the routine fit for both brands as Superior for acne-prone skin.

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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