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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 a Spanish skincare brand founded in 1975 and a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1980, respectively. Skincare enthusiasts love ISDIN for its elegant moisturizers, advanced sunscreens, restorative serums, and targeted eye products, while cherishing SK-II for its luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, clarifying toners, and restorative masks anchored by pitera. Both brands suit dry skin best, though the former also suits sensitive skin and the latter suits acne-prone skin. They differ through their regional heritage, parent companies, and signature formulations.

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”

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 · 96% fit

ISDIN vs SK-II routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

ISDIN or SK-II: which is better?

Both ISDIN and SK-II are great options, but ISDIN tends to be better for sensitive skin while SK-II stands out for brightening and evening skin tone. Reviewers frequently praise the products on this page from ISDIN for their ultralight, makeup-friendly sunscreens and lightweight moisturizers.

What is the difference between ISDIN and SK-II?

ISDIN and SK-II are both well-known skincare brands, with ISDIN founded in Spain in 1975 and SK-II founded in Japan in 1980. On this page, reviewers note that ISDIN is better for makeup compatibility and sensitive skin, while SK-II does better at brightening and evening skin tone.

ISDIN or SK-II for dry skin?

Both ISDIN and SK-II are great for dry skin, with Lovi fit levels of Superior for the products on this page. ISDIN products on this page feature a high price point and some added fragrance, whereas every SK-II product on this page lists no fragrance.

ISDIN or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

When comparing moisturizers, both ISDIN and SK-II offer quality options, though SK-II is noted for brightening and evening skin tone. Lovi rates the routine fit for dry skin as Superior for both brands. Topical hyaluronic acid, found in products like ISDIN Hyaluronic Concentrate, helps improve skin hydration and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, ISDIN or SK-II?

Both brands are noted for having a high price point among the products on this page, and reviewers frequently mention high pricing as a drawback for ISDIN.

Which brand is better for sensitive skin regarding gentleness, ISDIN or SK-II?

ISDIN does better for sensitive skin regarding gentleness, as reviewers note it is gentle on sensitive skin.

How do the fragrance options differ between ISDIN and SK-II products?

When it comes to fragrance, the products on this page differ because 3 of the 8 ISDIN products list fragrance while every SK-II product on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Which brand performs better for brightening and evening skin tone?

SK-II performs better for brightening and evens skin tone among the products on this page.

ISDIN or SK-II for oily skin?

For oily skin, both ISDIN and SK-II are good options, as Lovi rates ISDIN as Superior and SK-II as High. Reviewers frequently mention that the products on this page for ISDIN offer ultralight sunscreens.

ISDIN or SK-II for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, both ISDIN and SK-II are great choices, but ISDIN is better for being gentle on sensitive skin. Lovi rates ISDIN as having a Superior fit for sensitive skin, while SK-II achieves a High fit level.

ISDIN or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

Both ISDIN and SK-II are good options, as Lovi shows them at a High fit level for acne-prone skin on the products on this page. SK-II does better on brightening and evens skin tone.

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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