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Paula's Choice vs ISDIN

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

Paula's Choice and ISDIN are established international skincare brands offering diverse ranges for various complexion needs. The American line relies on hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and vitamin c within serums, cleansers, moisturizers, and toners to suit oily and acne-prone skin best, while the Spanish house provides elegant moisturizers, advanced sunscreens, restorative serums, and targeted eye products that suit dry and sensitive skin best. Both companies differ in their specialized remedies and foundational ingredients, as glycerin significantly increased skin hydration and restored barrier function for the former, whereas the latter utilizes thoughtfully balanced formulas for gentle daily comfort and dependable protection.

Paula's Choice is an American skincare brand founded in 1995 and owned by Unilever 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 Paula's Choice and ISDIN products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Paula's Choice vs ISDIN products

People Say

Paula's ChoiceISDIN
  • Texture and Lightweight Feel Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Provides an internal level of hydration without leaving any heavy finish. — Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner”
    • “Absorbs quickly and leaves no greasy residue behind. — Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer”
    • “absorbs instantly — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”
    • “ultra-light fluid product, which makes it super easy to apply — ISDIN Fusion Water”
  • Brightness, Tone and Anti-Aging Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “visible glow — Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster”
    • “skin looks plumper — Paula's Choice Pro-Collagen Multi-Peptide Booster”
    • “helps reduce swelling in the area of my under-eye bags — ISDIN K-Ox Eyes”
    • “Skin feels intensely hydrated — ISDIN Hyaluronic Concentrate”
  • Skin Texture Smoothing and Pores Mostly MentionedRarely Noted
    • “cleared my bumps — Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant”
    • “skin becomes very smooth — Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment”
    • “pores look smaller — Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster”
    • “skin was much smoother — ISDIN Retinal Intense Serum”
  • Sensitive Skin and Gentle Care Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Sensitive/reactive skin tolerates — ISDIN Hyaluronic Moisture”
    • “no excessive exfoliation — ISDIN Retinal Intense Serum”
    • “doesn't sting eyes — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”
    • “Finally a vitamin C product I can use — Paula's Choice 25% Vitamin C + Glutathione Clinical Serum”
  • Acne and Blemish Control Often MentionedNot noted
    • “Helped clear my cystic acne — Paula's Choice CLEAR Pore Normalizing Cleanser”
    • “heals blemishes faster — Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant”
    • “Removes all my makeup easily — Paula's Choice CLEAR Pore Normalizing Cleanser”
  • Makeup Compatibility and Finish Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “doesn't leave you white as a ghost — ISDIN Fusion Water”
    • “acts like a primer — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”
    • “dries down matte — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”
  • High Price and Value Issues Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “tiny tube — Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster”
    • “Sooooo expensive — Paula's Choice 25% Vitamin C + Glutathione Clinical Serum”
    • “very expensive — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”
    • “My only wish is that ISDIN would make this product in a bigger size bottle. — ISDIN Fusion Water”
  • Unpleasant Smell or Scent Concerns Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like grain — Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster”
    • “smells like hot dog water — Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster”
    • “smell is overpowering — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”
    • “lingering headache inducing effect — ISDIN K-Ox Eyes”
  • Packaging and Size Issues Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Pump stopped working — ISDIN Hyaluronic Concentrate”
    • “I like the actual product, but the packaging is awful, I've already lost three bottles the applicator pops off. — ISDIN Flavo-C Serum”
    • “surprisingly small bottle — Paula's Choice Skin-Smoothing Retinol Body Treatment”
  • Product Formula and Stability Issues Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “turned orange in weeks — Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster”
    • “Did not notice any difference in my pores. — Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner”
    • “did nothing — Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster”
    • “don't see result — ISDIN K-Ox Eyes”

Paula's Choice vs ISDIN routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Paula's Choice vs ISDIN routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Paula's Choice vs ISDIN routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

Paula's Choice or ISDIN: which is better?

Paula's Choice and ISDIN both offer strong options, with Paula's Choice doing better for acne and pores, while ISDIN is better suited for sensitive skin and makeup compatibility. Both brands achieve Superior Lovi fit levels for oily, combination, sensitive, acne-prone, mature, and oily acne-prone skin types.

What is the difference between Paula's Choice and ISDIN?

Paula's Choice does better for acne and pores, whereas ISDIN is superior for sensitive skin and makeup compatibility. For dry skin and dark spots, the products on this page show that Lovi fit is Superior for ISDIN and High for Paula's Choice.

Paula's Choice or ISDIN for dry skin?

For dry skin, ISDIN offers a Superior routine fit, whereas Paula's Choice provides a High routine fit.

Paula's Choice or ISDIN: which moisturizer is better?

Both brands offer effective moisturizers, but ISDIN provides a superior routine fit for dry skin compared to Paula's Choice. ISDIN focuses on lightweight moisturizers that suit sensitive skin well, whereas the products on this page for Paula's Choice are fragrance-free and target concerns like barrier repair and hydration.

Which is more affordable, Paula's Choice or ISDIN?

Both Paula's Choice and ISDIN face similar user feedback regarding a high price point, meaning neither brand stands out as more affordable than the other on this page.

Paula's Choice or ISDIN: which has better fragrance options?

Paula's Choice has better fragrance options because every product on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas several ISDIN products contain added fragrance.

Paula's Choice or ISDIN for oily skin?

Both Paula's Choice and ISDIN offer a Superior Lovi fit level for oily skin. Paula's Choice is particularly known for acne and blemish control on the products on this page.

Paula's Choice or ISDIN: which sunscreen is better?

ISDIN does better than Paula's Choice on this page for makeup compatibility and finish in sunscreens, while both brands offer products with Superior Lovi fit levels for sun protection depending on your skin type. ISDIN sunscreens are mostly noted by reviewers for being ultralight and makeup-friendly.

Paula's Choice or ISDIN for sensitive skin?

Both Paula's Choice and ISDIN offer products that fit sensitive skin at a Superior level on this page. ISDIN does better for sensitive skin and gentle care, while every product on the Paula's Choice page lists no fragrance.

Paula's Choice or ISDIN for acne-prone skin?

Both Paula's Choice and ISDIN offer a Superior Lovi routine fit for acne-prone skin. Paula's Choice does better specifically for acne and blemish control on the products on this page.

Paula's Choice or ISDIN for mature skin?

Both Paula's Choice and ISDIN fit mature skin at a Superior level. Paula's Choice features fragrance-free anti-aging options like retinol and vitamin C serums, while ISDIN offers ultralight sunscreens and specialized treatments such as K-Ox Eyes.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Archives of Dermatology, 2007

Paula's Choice or ISDIN for skin with dark spots?

ISDIN does better for skin with dark spots, with Lovi giving the brand a Superior routine fit compared to the High fit level for Paula's Choice.

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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