🇪🇸Spain

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 established skincare names originating from Spain and Japan respectively, offering thoughtful moisturizers, advanced sunscreens, targeted serums, soothing eye products, and clarifying toners driven by expert formulas or signature ingredients like pitera. While the Spanish brand suits sensitive and mature skin best with gentle care and rich nourishment, the Japanese line adapts seamlessly to combination, oily, normal, and dry complexions through botanical science that improves pore area, roughness, and redness. Ultimately, they differ in their foundational approaches, as the former delivers reliable daily support for delicate or aging skin, while the latter bestows a refined and balanced glow.

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

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SK-II is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1980 and owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991.

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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”

Questions and answers

ISDIN or SK-II: which is better?

When comparing ISDIN and SK-II, ISDIN is generally better for sensitive skin and makeup compatibility, while SK-II does better at brightening and evening skin tone. Reviewers on the page note that ISDIN offers ultralight, skin-friendly sunscreens, though it also comes with a higher price point.

What is the difference between ISDIN and SK-II?

When comparing the products on this page, ISDIN is more gentle on sensitive skin and offers better makeup compatibility, while SK-II does a better job brightening and evening skin tone. Reviewers also note that ISDIN comes with a high price point.

ISDIN or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

Both brands offer popular moisturizers on this page, but they cater to different needs with formulas that are generally hydrating and smoothing. SK-II provides fragrance-free options like its Facial Treatment Essence, while ISDIN features lightweight choices such as Hyaluronic Concentrate and Hyaluronic Moisture.

Which is more affordable, ISDIN or SK-II?

When it comes to affordability, ISDIN is more accessible, although reviewers often mention a high price point for the products on this page. SK-II products also tend to be quite expensive as a luxury brand.

Which causes fewer breakouts, ISDIN or SK-II?

SK-II is the better choice for avoiding breakouts, as review themes note that ISDIN has more reports of skin irritation and breakouts. Lovi rates SK-II's Genoptics Ultraura Essence as Superior for acne-prone skin.

Between ISDIN and SK-II, which brand is gentler on sensitive skin?

ISDIN is gentler on sensitive skin compared to SK-II. Review themes on the Lovi page indicate that ISDIN does better for being gentle on sensitive skin.

Which brand has a higher price point, ISDIN or SK-II?

When it comes to the products on this page, ISDIN is noted for having a high price point.

Which brand's products contain fragrance, ISDIN or SK-II?

ISDIN has products containing fragrance, whereas every product from SK-II on this page lists no fragrance. Specifically, 3 of 8 products on the ISDIN page list no fragrance, meaning the rest contain it.

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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