🇮🇹Italy

Medik8 vs ISDIN

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

Medik8 and ISDIN are established European skincare companies that offer carefully crafted remedies, with the British brand founded in 2009 and the Spanish counterpart in 1975. Both suit dry skin and sensitive skin best, while differing in their core formulations and specific targets. The former relies on hyaluronic acid across its serums, moisturizers, eye products, and toners, offering standout solutions like the Surface Radiance Cleanse, Oxy-R Peptides, and Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream. Meanwhile, the latter delivers elegant moisturizers, advanced sunscreens, restorative serums, and targeted eye products featuring Fusion Water, Eryfotona Actinica, and K-Ox Eyes.

Medik8 is a British skincare brand founded in 2009 and owned by L'Oréal Groupe since 2025.

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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 Medik8 and ISDIN products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Medik8 vs ISDIN products

People Say

Medik8ISDIN
  • Lightweight and Elegant Texture Often MentionedMostly 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”
    • “absorbed effortlessly — Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream”
  • Deep Hydration and Plumping Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Improved moisture and texture — ISDIN Hyaluronic Moisture”
    • “My skin felt sooo hydrated and looks so plump and dewey. — ISDIN Fusion Water”
    • “skin looks smooth and healthy — ISDIN K-Ox Eyes”
    • “Restores moisture — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
  • Gentle and Non-Irritating Formulation Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “zero irritation or peeling — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “only Vitamin C my sensitive skin can tolerate — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “Best retinol replacement — Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides”
    • “Sensitive/reactive skin tolerates — ISDIN Hyaluronic Moisture”
  • Brightening, Glow, and Fading Dark Spots Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “I wake up glowing. It adds back that youthful bloom that I've lost. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
    • “unlocked a serious glow — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “pigmentation lightened slightly — Medik8 Oxy-R Peptides”
    • “My hyperpigmentation has lightened and skin looks more even, even shines more. — ISDIN Flavo-C Serum”
  • Improves Skin Texture and Smoothness Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “smoother skin — Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse”
    • “My skin was smoother, my skin texture felt more resurfaced. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “skin was much smoother — ISDIN Retinal Intense Serum”
  • Good Makeup Compatibility Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “acts like a primer — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”
    • “Great under makeup — ISDIN Hyaluronic Concentrate”
    • “layers well under sunscreen — Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream”
  • High Price Point and Value Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Expensive per bottle — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “very expensive for amount — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “very expensive — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”
    • “My only wish is that ISDIN would make this product in a bigger size bottle. — ISDIN Fusion Water”
  • Slow or Ineffective Results Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “don't see result — ISDIN K-Ox Eyes”
    • “no noticeable changes yet — ISDIN Retinal Intense Serum”
    • “Not as effective as retinol — Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides”
  • Unpleasant Smell or Strong Fragrance Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “metallic scent — Medik8 Super C Ferulic”
    • “smell is overpowering — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”

Medik8 vs ISDIN routines for dry skin

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Medik8 vs ISDIN routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Medik8 vs ISDIN routines for combination skin

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Questions and answers

Medik8 or ISDIN: which is better?

Both brands are great choices, but they suit different needs as ISDIN is known for its ultralight sunscreens and moisturizers, while Medik8 is often praised for its gentle, non-irritating serums and brightening formulas.

What is the difference between Medik8 and ISDIN?

Medik8 is known for its gentle, non-irritating serums and its focus on brightening and smoothing skin texture, while ISDIN stands out for its ultralight, makeup-friendly sunscreens and lightweight moisturizers. Both brands offer high-fit routines for dry, sensitive, and dry sensitive skin types.

Medik8 or ISDIN for dry skin?

Both Medik8 and ISDIN are well suited for dry skin, holding a Lovi fit level of Superior for this skin type. Medik8 stands out for its gentle, non-irritating serums and deep hydration, while ISDIN is known for its lightweight moisturizers and ultralight sunscreens.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Medik8 or ISDIN: which moisturizer is better?

Both Medik8 and ISDIN offer effective moisturizers, with products like Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Intense and ISDIN Hyaluronic Concentrate providing deep hydration. For dry skin, both brands achieve a Lovi fit level of Superior across their routines. When choosing between them, reviewers note that Medik8 formulas are generally more gentle and fragrance-free, while ISDIN options tend to feel lighter on the skin.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, Medik8 or ISDIN?

Both Medik8 and ISDIN have a high price point as a common drawback mentioned by reviewers, meaning neither brand is clearly more affordable than the other based on the products on this page.

Between Medik8 and ISDIN, which brand offers better options for fading dark spots?

Medik8 stands out for fading dark spots as the products on this page are noted for brightening, glow, and fading dark spots. Meanwhile, ISDIN achieves a Superior routine fit for skin with dark spots, backed by vitamin C serums like Flavo-C Serum.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

How do the fragrance profiles of Medik8 and ISDIN products compare?

Medik8 tends to keep most products on this page free of added scent, whereas ISDIN includes fragrance in the majority of its listed items. Shoppers sometimes note that Medik8 has an unpleasant smell or strong fragrance, while ISDIN reviewers also mention strong fragrances.

Which brand is better suited for mature skin, Medik8 or ISDIN?

Both Medik8 and ISDIN offer a High fit for mature skin, with ISDIN achieving a Superior level in its routine fit. Reviewers note that Medik8 excels in brightening and fading dark spots, while ISDIN is recognized for its ultralight sunscreens and lightweight moisturizers.

Medik8 or ISDIN for oily skin?

For oily skin, ISDIN reaches a Superior Lovi fit level, whereas Medik8 reaches a High level. ISDIN is particularly noted for its ultralight sunscreens and lightweight moisturizers.

Medik8 or ISDIN for sensitive skin?

Both Medik8 and ISDIN have a Lovi fit level of Superior for sensitive skin. Medik8 stands out for gentle and non-irritating formulations, while ISDIN offers ultralight sunscreens.

Medik8 or ISDIN for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, ISDIN has a superior Lovi routine fit while Medik8 has a high Lovi 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

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