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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 international skincare names offering advanced moisturizers, sunscreens, serums, toners, masks, and eye products for daily care. The Spanish brand is beloved for gentle yet effective creations suited to sensitive skin and acne-prone skin, while the Japanese brand is cherished for luxurious formulations anchored by pitera that suit dry skin and acne-prone skin. Both provide standout solutions for dark spots and mature skin, differing primarily in their foundational ingredients and regional origins.

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.

en.wikipedia.orgdiscoversk-ii.wixsite.comglossy.co

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”

ISDIN vs SK-II routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

ISDIN vs SK-II routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 97% fit

ISDIN vs SK-II routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

ISDIN or SK-II: which is better?

ISDIN is better for makeup compatibility and being gentle on sensitive skin, while SK-II does better at brightening and evening skin tone.

What is the difference between ISDIN and SK-II?

When comparing the two brands on this page, ISDIN tends to be gentler on sensitive skin and offers great makeup compatibility, while SK-II does better at brightening and evening skin tone. Reviewers often mention that ISDIN has a high price point and sometimes a strong fragrance, whereas every SK-II product on this page lists no fragrance.

ISDIN or SK-II for dry skin?

Both ISDIN and SK-II are great choices for dry skin, as Lovi gives both brands a Superior routine fit for this skin type. Reviewers note that products on this page from both brands offer a lightweight and fluid texture alongside hydrating and smoothing benefits.

ISDIN or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

When comparing moisturizers, both ISDIN and SK-II offer quality options, though Lovi rates their routines as having equal fit levels for dry and acne-prone skin. SK-II features fragrance-free formulas centered around Pitera, while ISDIN includes options like Hyaluronic Concentrate that help with hydration.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, ISDIN or SK-II?

Both ISDIN and SK-II are luxury brands with high price points, but reviewers note a high price point more often for ISDIN.

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

ISDIN is gentler on sensitive skin compared to SK-II. Reviewers note that ISDIN does better with gentle care on sensitive skin, and Lovi rates its fit as Superior for sensitive skin.

Which brand uses fragrance in its products, ISDIN or SK-II?

ISDIN uses fragrance in some of the products on this page, while SK-II lists no fragrance across every product on this page.

How do the founding years and parent companies of ISDIN and SK-II compare?

ISDIN was founded in Spain in 1975 and is owned by Puig, while SK-II was founded in Japan in 1980 and is owned by The Procter & Gamble Company.

ISDIN or SK-II for oily skin?

For oily skin, Lovi rates ISDIN as Superior and SK-II as High. Reviewers note that ISDIN offers ultralight sunscreens that help keep oily skin comfortable.

ISDIN or SK-II for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, ISDIN is a superior fit and does better than SK-II according to the review themes on this page. Reviewers often mention that ISDIN offers skin-friendly sunscreens, and three of the eight products on this page list no fragrance.

ISDIN or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

Both ISDIN and SK-II are great choices for acne-prone skin, as the products on this page achieve a high or superior Lovi fit level for this skin type. SK-II features fragrance-free formulas centered around Pitera, while ISDIN offers ultralight sunscreens and antioxidant serums that help protect and treat the 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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