🇪🇸Spain

Cetaphil vs ISDIN

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

Cetaphil and ISDIN are established skincare brands offering distinct approaches to daily care, with the American brand known for cleansers, moisturizers, serums, and sunscreens featuring glycerin, niacinamide, and panthenol, while the Spanish brand is beloved for advanced sunscreens, targeted serums, soothing eye products, and moisturizers. The former suits combination and oily acne-prone skin best, helping to balance moisture without causing congestion through nourishing ingredients like glycerin that increases hydration, niacinamide that decreases hyperpigmentation, and panthenol that accelerates wound healing. Conversely, the latter suits sensitive and mature skin best, offering gentle care for delicate complexions and rich nourishment for advanced aging with standout choices like Fusion Water, Eryfotona Actinica, and K-Ox Eyes. Ultimately, they differ in their heritage and primary focus, as the Galderma-owned line provides essential barrier support for congestion-prone complexions, whereas the Puig-owned line delivers refined daily support for delicate and aging skin.

Cetaphil is an American skincare brand founded in 1947 and owned by Galderma Group AG.

en.wikipedia.orgcetaphil.co.uk

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

Popular Cetaphil vs ISDIN products

People Say

CetaphilISDIN
  • Gentle for sensitive skin Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “The only thing my reactive skin tolerates. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
    • “No breakouts since switching to this. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
    • “cleans without stripping — Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser”
    • “Sensitive/reactive skin tolerates — ISDIN Hyaluronic Moisture”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy 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 — Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion”
  • Hydrating and non-stripping Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “cleared up flaky skin — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “healed my dry patches — Cetaphil Moisturising Cream”
    • “Improved moisture and texture — ISDIN Hyaluronic Moisture”
    • “My skin felt sooo hydrated and looks so plump and dewey. — ISDIN Fusion Water”
  • Skin smoothing and texture improvements Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “Skin felt softer after one use — Cetaphil Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser”
    • “Micro-fine granules don't irritate — Cetaphil Extra Gentle Daily Scrub”
    • “skin was much smoother — ISDIN Retinal Intense Serum”
  • Versatile use and daily cleansing Often MentionedNot noted
    • “great for face and body — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “recommended by my derm — Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser”
    • “removes excess oil — Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser”
  • Brightening and complexion benefits Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “My hyperpigmentation has lightened and skin looks more even, even shines more. — ISDIN Flavo-C Serum”
    • “skin looks immediately luminous — ISDIN K-Ox Eyes”
    • “skin looks more radiant — Cetaphil Vitamin C Serum”
  • Packaging and price complaints Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “hate dipping fingers in — Cetaphil Moisturising Cream”
    • “wish it had a pump — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “expensive for drugstore — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “very expensive — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”
  • Strong scent or fragrance concerns Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Overpowering masking fragrance — Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar”
    • “Scent is overwhelmingly artificial. — Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser”
    • “smell is overpowering — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”
  • Formula changes and irritation Sometimes NotedRarely 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”
    • “New version burns my face. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”

Cetaphil vs ISDIN routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Cetaphil vs ISDIN routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Cetaphil vs ISDIN routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Cetaphil or ISDIN: which is better?

Both brands are great choices, as Lovi rates their routines as High or Superior across all skin types. Cetaphil excels with gentle, non-stripping cleansers and skin-smoothing products, while ISDIN stands out for ultralight, makeup-friendly sunscreens and brightening benefits.

What is the difference between Cetaphil and ISDIN?

Cetaphil is generally better for gentle cleansing, skin smoothing, and being fragrance-free across the products on this page, whereas ISDIN is better known for ultralight, makeup-friendly sunscreens and brightening benefits. Niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Cetaphil or ISDIN for dry skin?

Both Cetaphil and ISDIN are good options for dry skin, with ISDIN achieving a Superior routine fit and Cetaphil reaching a High fit. ISDIN offers lightweight moisturizers and ultralight sunscreens, while Cetaphil provides hydrating products featuring ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which helps improve skin hydration.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Cetaphil or ISDIN: which moisturizer is better?

Both brands offer moisturizers, but ISDIN has a Superior routine fit for dry skin compared to Cetaphil's High fit. ISDIN provides lightweight moisturizers, while Cetaphil's moisturizers help with hydration and use key ingredients like hyaluronic acid to improve skin quality.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, Cetaphil or ISDIN?

Cetaphil is more affordable, whereas ISDIN is frequently noted by reviewers for having a high price point.

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

Cetaphil has more fragrance-free products, with 26 of its 27 products on this page listing no fragrance. In contrast, only 3 of the 8 ISDIN products on this page are fragrance-free.

Where are Cetaphil and ISDIN originally from and who owns them?

Cetaphil was founded in the United States in 1947 and is owned by Galderma Group AG, while ISDIN was founded in Spain in 1975 and is owned by Puig.

How do reviewer opinions on price and packaging compare between Cetaphil and ISDIN?

Cetaphil faces packaging and price complaints, whereas ISDIN is often noted for a high price point. Lovi finds that both brands offer options for various skin types.

Cetaphil or ISDIN for oily skin?

Both Cetaphil and ISDIN are suitable options, as Lovi rates the routine fit for oily skin as High for Cetaphil and Superior for ISDIN. Reviewers report that Cetaphil offers gentle, non-stripping cleansers while ISDIN provides ultralight sunscreens.

Cetaphil or ISDIN: which sunscreen is better?

Both brands offer sunscreens on this page, but ISDIN is rated Superior for dry sensitive skin while Cetaphil provides various options suited for everyday use. Niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Cetaphil or ISDIN for sensitive skin?

Both Cetaphil and ISDIN fit sensitive skin with a Lovi fit level of High. Cetaphil is especially noted for being gentle for sensitive skin, while ISDIN offers ultralight sunscreens and lightweight moisturizers.

Cetaphil or ISDIN for acne-prone skin?

Both Cetaphil and ISDIN have products on this page that are a High fit for acne-prone skin, with Cetaphil best fitting combination, oily acne-prone, and acne-prone skin types overall while ISDIN best fits sensitive, mature, and dry skin. Niacinamide helps control skin aging and pigmentation.

Antioxidants, 2021

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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