🇪🇸Spain

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 respected beauty brands offering thoughtful daily skincare with carefully balanced formulas. The Spanish brand is known for advanced sunscreens, targeted serums, and soothing eye products, while its Canadian counterpart provides reliable moisturizers and makeup removers. The former suits sensitive skin and mature skin best, whereas the latter is ideal for balanced skin. Ultimately, the two differ in their core specialties and targeted skin types, with both delivering refined daily support for delicate and healthy complexions.

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?

When comparing ISDIN and MAC on this page, ISDIN is a better fit for texture and finish, while MAC does better for hydration and plumping and makeup compatibility. Both brands share issues with high prices and strong fragrances.

What is the difference between ISDIN and MAC?

ISDIN offers sunscreens and serums with a texture and finish that reviewers prefer, whereas MAC provides makeup bases and primers along with lightweight moisturizers known for hydration and plumping. Lovi rates ISDIN with superior fits for mature and sensitive skin on specific products, while MAC's products on this page generally show high or average fits across various skin types.

ISDIN or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

For a moisturizer, MAC achieves High fits for dry and dry sensitive skin with products like Mineralize Timecheck Lotion, whereas ISDIN has High fits with Uradin Lotion 10 for dry skin and dry sensitive skin and Hyaluronic Concentrate for sensitive and acne-prone skin.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, ISDIN or MAC?

MAC is generally considered more affordable on this page, as reviewers note a high price point as a negative for both brands but mention it more frequently for ISDIN.

Which causes fewer breakouts, ISDIN or MAC?

MAC is rated as doing better than ISDIN for skin irritation and breakouts based on reviewer feedback on this page. For acne-prone skin, the products on this page by ISDIN have fit levels ranging from High to Caution, whereas MAC products on this page have an Average fit level.

Which brand has more products listed on this page, ISDIN or MAC?

ISDIN has more products listed on this page than MAC, with eight options compared to MAC's three. Reviewers frequently mention ISDIN for its ultralight sunscreens and lightweight moisturizers.

Do both ISDIN and MAC products contain fragrance, and if so, how many?

Yes, both brands have products with fragrance on this page. All three MAC products and five out of eight ISDIN products list fragrance.

Which brand was founded earlier, ISDIN or MAC?

ISDIN was founded earlier, in 1975 in Spain, whereas MAC was founded in 1984 in Canada.

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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