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ISDIN vs MAC

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes · How the Fit score works

ISDIN and MAC are distinguished beauty brands celebrated for their thoughtfully balanced daily formulas. The Spanish skincare house is known for elegant moisturizers, advanced sunscreens, restorative serums, and targeted eye products, while the Canadian counterpart is beloved for reliable moisturizers and makeup removers. The former suits dry skin and sensitive skin best, whereas the latter suits balanced skin best. They differ primarily in their specialized remedies, with the first offering Fusion Water, Eryfotona Actinica, and K-Ox Eyes, and the second providing Mineralize Timecheck Lotion, Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil, and Hyper Real Serumizer.

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

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MAC is a Canadian skincare brand founded in 1984 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 1994.

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This page compares some of the most popular ISDIN and MAC products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular ISDIN vs MAC products

People Say

ISDINMAC
  • Hydration and plumping Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “absorbs quickly — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Absorbs in a snap — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “Emulsifies beautifully and rinses off without a greasy film. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “Improved moisture and texture — ISDIN Hyaluronic Moisture”
  • Makeup compatibility Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “foundation glides on — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Sits beautifully under makeup — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “Reduces appearance of pores — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “acts like a primer — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”
  • Texture and finish Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “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”
  • Sensitive skin friendliness Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Sensitive/reactive skin tolerates — ISDIN Hyaluronic Moisture”
    • “no excessive exfoliation — ISDIN Retinal Intense Serum”
    • “Does not cause breakouts — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “Doesn't sting my eyes or blur my vision. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas 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”
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Fragrance and scent issues Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “smell is overpowering — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”
    • “lingering headache inducing effect — ISDIN K-Ox Eyes”
    • “scent is overpowering — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Has a scent that might irritate very sensitive noses. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
  • Lack of results or efficacy Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “don't see result — ISDIN K-Ox Eyes”
    • “Not hydrating enough in winter — ISDIN Hyaluronic Concentrate”
    • “Don't expect miracles — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Skin irritation and breakouts Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “mild redness or irritation — ISDIN K-Ox Eyes”
    • “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”
    • “caused acne — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”

Questions and answers

ISDIN or MAC: which is better?

When comparing the products on this page, ISDIN does better for texture and finish, while MAC does better for hydration, plumping, and makeup compatibility. Reviewers note that both brands share high price points, while ISDIN may sometimes cause skin irritation and breakouts.

What is the difference between ISDIN and MAC?

ISDIN features a wide variety of sunscreens and serums with Lovi fit levels up to Superior for dry, sensitive, and mature skin, while MAC focuses on makeup removers and moisturizers that shoppers praise for makeup compatibility. Reviewers note that ISDIN offers ultralight sunscreens, whereas MAC excels in hydration and plumping.

ISDIN or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

For moisturizers, MAC does better on hydration and plumping, while the products on this page for ISDIN offer options like Hyaluronic Concentrate with a High fit level for sensitive and acne-prone skin. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of skin aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, ISDIN or MAC?

Both ISDIN and MAC face criticism for a high price point, with reviewers mostly mentioning it for MAC and often mentioning it for ISDIN on this page. Reviewers indicate that high pricing is a shared drawback for the products on this page across both brands.

Which causes fewer breakouts, ISDIN or MAC?

MAC causes fewer breakouts, as review themes note that skin irritation and breakouts happen more often with ISDIN. For acne-prone skin, the products on this page for MAC show High to Average fit levels, while ISDIN ranges from High to Caution and Warning depending on the product.

Which brand offers better texture and finish for skincare products, ISDIN or MAC?

ISDIN does better than MAC for texture and finish, as reviewers mostly mention its ultralight sunscreens and lightweight moisturizers. Topical hyaluronic acid and antioxidants may help improve skin quality and texture.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

How do the founding years and parent companies of ISDIN and MAC compare?

ISDIN was founded in 1975 in Spain and is owned by Puig, whereas MAC was founded in 1984 in Canada and is owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.

Which products from ISDIN and MAC are specifically recommended for dry skin?

For dry skin, ISDIN offers products on this page like Eryfotona Actinica and Fusion Water with a Superior Lovi fit level, while MAC features Mineralize Timecheck Lotion and Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil with a High Lovi fit level.

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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