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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 a Canadian brand founded in 2016 and a Spanish brand founded in 1975, respectively. The Ordinary is known for serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and toners built around hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, while skincare enthusiasts love the Spanish brand for its elegant moisturizers, advanced sunscreens, restorative serums, and targeted eye products. Both options suit dry and sensitive skin best, while differing through the Canadian line's specific targeted treatments like Niacinamide and Mandelic Acid versus the latter's Fusion Water and Eryfotona Actinica.

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 · 95% fit

The Ordinary vs ISDIN routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 94% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or ISDIN: which is better?

The Ordinary offers better affordability and options for acne-clearing serums, while ISDIN stands out for its ultralight sunscreens and hydration benefits. Both brands achieve equal fit levels for dry, oily, combination, sensitive, dark spot-prone, and dry sensitive skin.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and ISDIN?

The Ordinary offers budget-friendly products with many fragrance-free options and is especially recognized for acne and blemish control. Meanwhile, ISDIN focuses on ultralight, makeup-friendly sunscreens and lightweight moisturizers, though its items often carry a higher price point and fragrance.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or ISDIN for dry skin?

Both brands are great choices since Lovi rates dry skin as Superior for The Ordinary and Superior for ISDIN. Reviewers report that The Ordinary offers better affordability and value, while ISDIN stands out for its lightweight texture and absorption.

The Ordinary or ISDIN: which moisturizer is better?

Both The Ordinary and ISDIN offer great options, with The Ordinary being known for affordability and ISDIN for lightweight formulas. Hyaluronic acid helps hydrate the skin, and moisturizers from both brands are popular choices depending on your budget and preference for texture.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or ISDIN?

The Ordinary is more affordable, as reviewers on the products on this page frequently note its great value compared to the higher price point of ISDIN.

Which brand has products with fragrance, The Ordinary or ISDIN?

ISDIN has products with fragrance on its page, while every product from The Ordinary on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

The Ordinary or ISDIN for oily skin?

Both The Ordinary and ISDIN provide a Superior routine fit for oily skin. The Ordinary features fragrance-free products with affordable options for blemish control, while ISDIN offers ultralight sunscreens and lightweight moisturizers.

The Ordinary or ISDIN for sensitive skin?

Both The Ordinary and ISDIN are great choices for sensitive skin, as Lovi gives each brand a Superior routine fit for this skin type. Every product on The Ordinary page lists no fragrance, whereas three out of eight products on the ISDIN page list fragrance.

The Ordinary or ISDIN for acne-prone skin?

The Ordinary is a strong choice for acne-prone skin, offering products on this page that help with blemish control. Lovi rates the routine fit for acne-prone skin as High for The Ordinary and Superior for ISDIN.

The Ordinary or ISDIN for mature skin?

For mature skin, ISDIN reaches a Superior routine fit level while The Ordinary reaches a High fit level. The Ordinary offers affordable and great value serums, whereas ISDIN is well liked for its lightweight moisturizers and ultralight sunscreens.

The Ordinary or ISDIN for skin with dark spots?

Both brands offer products on this page that perform very well for skin with dark spots, with Lovi fit levels reaching Superior. Reviewers note that The Ordinary provides great value, while ISDIN stands out for its lightweight texture and absorption.

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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