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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 distinct skincare brands founded in 2016 and 1975, respectively, that offer thoughtfully formulated remedies for various complexions. The Canadian line features serums, moisturizers, cleansers, toners, and more, built around hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, while the Spanish brand is known for elegant moisturizers, advanced sunscreens, restorative serums, and targeted eye products. Both brands suit dry skin and dry sensitive skin best, providing gentle daily comfort and dependable protection. While the former focuses on targeted active ingredients like niacinamide and mandelic acid for specific concerns, the latter delivers reliable daily support that maintains a healthy and balanced complexion through refined textures.

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 · 98% fit

The Ordinary vs ISDIN routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

The Ordinary vs ISDIN routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or ISDIN: which is better?

The Ordinary offers better affordability and value, while ISDIN stands out for its lightweight texture, absorption, hydration, and plumping. Lovi rates the routine fit for both brands as equal for most skin types, though ISDIN reaches a Superior fit for acne-prone skin and oily acne-prone skin where The Ordinary is High.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and ISDIN?

The Ordinary focuses on affordable single-ingredient serums and treatments, whereas ISDIN is known for its lightweight, makeup-friendly sunscreens and moisturizers at a higher price point. Both brands offer fragrance-free options, but some ISDIN products contain added fragrance while all products on The Ordinary page list no fragrance.

The Ordinary or ISDIN for dry skin?

Both The Ordinary and ISDIN achieve a Superior Lovi fit level for dry skin. Reviewers often mention The Ordinary for great value, while ISDIN is commonly praised for lightweight moisturizers.

The Ordinary or ISDIN: which moisturizer is better?

When it comes to moisturizers, The Ordinary offers better affordability and value, while ISDIN is often noted for lighter textures. Lovi rates the routine fit for dry skin as Superior for both brands.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or ISDIN?

The Ordinary is more affordable, offering popular and budget-friendly serums that reviewers frequently praise for their great value. In contrast, reviewers often mention a high price point for ISDIN products.

Which brand has more products containing fragrance, The Ordinary or ISDIN?

ISDIN has more products containing fragrance on this page, with 5 out of 8 products listing fragrance, whereas every product from The Ordinary lists no fragrance.

What are the ownership and founding details of The Ordinary compared to ISDIN?

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

Which brand performs better in terms of hydration and plumping according to review themes?

ISDIN performs better for hydration and plumping according to review themes. Reviewers mostly mention that ISDIN offers lightweight moisturizers.

The Ordinary or ISDIN for sensitive skin?

Both The Ordinary and ISDIN provide a Superior routine fit for sensitive skin. The products on this page for The Ordinary list no fragrance in their ingredients.

The Ordinary or ISDIN for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, ISDIN reaches a Superior routine fit level while The Ordinary reaches a High fit level. Reviewers on the page frequently mention that ISDIN provides ultralight sunscreens, whereas The Ordinary is often praised for acne-clearing serums.

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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