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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 offering targeted serums, nourishing moisturizers, and protective sunscreens built around key ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane. The Canadian line features single-ingredient focuses that suit dry, dry sensitive, acne-prone, and mature skin, while the Spanish collection relies on expert formulas to best support sensitive and mature skin. Both lines differ through their distinct heritages and specialized formulations, yet each provides reliable daily care for diverse complexions.

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 · 97% fit

The Ordinary vs ISDIN routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% 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?

The Ordinary offers better affordability and value, whereas ISDIN provides a lighter texture and better hydration. Both brands achieve a Superior routine fit for dry skin, oily skin, combination skin, sensitive skin, mature skin, skin with dark spots, dry sensitive skin, and oily acne-prone skin.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and ISDIN?

The Ordinary offers budget-friendly products with standout options for acne and blemishes, while ISDIN provides ultralight sunscreens and moisturizers that may carry a higher price point. For most skin types, Lovi shows equal routine fit levels between both brands, though ISDIN achieves a Superior fit for acne-prone skin compared to The Ordinary's High level.

The Ordinary or ISDIN for dry skin?

Both The Ordinary and ISDIN provide a Superior routine fit for dry skin. The Ordinary features fragrance-free products on the products on this page, while ISDIN is often noted for its lightweight moisturizers and hydration benefits.

The Ordinary or ISDIN: which moisturizer is better?

Both The Ordinary and ISDIN offer effective moisturizers, with Lovi giving top ratings to products from both brands depending on your skin type. For dry skin, the products on this page provide superior hydration options like The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA and ISDIN Fusion Water sunscreen.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or ISDIN?

The Ordinary is more affordable, as reviewers often mention its affordability and great value serums, whereas ISDIN is frequently noted for its high price point.

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, whereas only 3 of 8 ISDIN products on this page do so.

How do the founding years and corporate ownership of The Ordinary and ISDIN compare?

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

The Ordinary or ISDIN for oily skin?

Both The Ordinary and ISDIN achieve a Superior routine fit for oily skin. The products on this page help deliver strong options for oily skin, with The Ordinary focusing on budget-friendly serums and ISDIN offering ultralight sunscreens.

The Ordinary or ISDIN for sensitive skin?

Both The Ordinary and ISDIN offer a Superior routine fit for sensitive skin. The Ordinary features fragrance-free products on the products on this page, while ISDIN may include fragrance in some formulas.

The Ordinary or ISDIN for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, both brands offer products on this page with strong benefits, but ISDIN has a Superior routine fit while The Ordinary has a High routine fit.

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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