🇸🇬Singapore

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.

puig.combeautymatter.comuploads.puig.com

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

elcompanies.comen.wikipedia.org

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 ISDIN and MAC on this page, ISDIN achieves a Superior fit for dry and sensitive skin types, whereas MAC has no specific skin type best fits. Reviewers note that the products on this page for ISDIN feature ultralight sunscreens and lightweight moisturizers, while MAC offers strong makeup bases and primers.

What is the difference between ISDIN and MAC?

ISDIN focuses mainly on ultralight, skin-friendly sunscreens with options for dry, sensitive, and mature skin, whereas MAC is known for makeup bases and primers with strong hydration. Both brands feature high price points and products with fragrance, but the products on this page for ISDIN achieve a Superior fit for sun protection while MAC offers strong makeup compatibility.

ISDIN or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

When comparing moisturizers, the products on this page show that ISDIN Hyaluronic Concentrate has a High fit for sensitive and acne-prone skin, while Lovi rates its fit as Average for dry, mature, and oily skin types. MAC Hyper Real Serumizer has a High fit for dry sensitive skin and an Average fit for oily, dry, and acne-prone skin types.

Which is more affordable, ISDIN or MAC?

When it comes to affordability, reviewers mention a high price point for the products on this page from both ISDIN and MAC. However, high price point is more often noted as a drawback for MAC.

Which causes fewer breakouts, ISDIN or MAC?

MAC is generally noted for causing fewer breakouts and skin irritation compared to ISDIN, which some reviewers note can trigger breakouts. For oily acne-prone skin, the products on this page from ISDIN range widely in fit from High to Warning, while MAC products mostly show Average fit.

Which brand has more fragrance-free options between ISDIN and MAC?

ISDIN has more fragrance-free options on this page, with three products listing no fragrance compared to none for MAC. Shoppers may find that ISDIN is a better choice if they want to avoid added scents.

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

ISDIN was founded in Spain in 1975 and is owned by Puig, whereas MAC was founded in Canada in 1984 and has been owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 1994.

Which sunscreens from ISDIN have a Superior Lovi fit level for mature skin?

For mature skin, Eryfotona Actinica from ISDIN has a Superior Lovi fit level. Fusion Water also offers great sun protection on this page, helping mature skin 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?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play