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COSRX vs ISDIN

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

COSRX and ISDIN are established skincare brands from Korea and Spain, respectively. The Korean brand is dearly loved for its serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and masks featuring hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide, which suit acne-prone and oily skin best. Meanwhile, the Spanish brand is beloved for its sophisticated moisturizers, advanced sunscreens, targeted serums, and soothing eye products, providing gentle and nourishing care that suits sensitive and dry skin best. While both offer standout solutions for specific concerns, they differ significantly in their origins, founding eras, key formulations, and ideal skin types.

COSRX is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2013 and owned by Amorepacific Group since 2024.

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

Popular COSRX vs ISDIN products

People Say

COSRXISDIN
  • Lightweight and fast-absorbing 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”
    • “absorbs instantly like water — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
  • Deep hydration and moisturization Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin drinks it up — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “woke up with soft, supple skin — COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream”
    • “Improved moisture and texture — ISDIN Hyaluronic Moisture”
    • “My skin felt sooo hydrated and looks so plump and dewey. — ISDIN Fusion Water”
  • Gentle and non-stripping formulation Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “No stinging or irritation — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “perfect for first-time retinol users — COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
    • “Sensitive/reactive skin tolerates — ISDIN Hyaluronic Moisture”
    • “no excessive exfoliation — ISDIN Retinal Intense Serum”
  • Skin texture and smoothing improvement Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “gives me that glass skin look — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “skin feels softer immediately — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
    • “Skin feels like glass — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “skin looks smooth and healthy — ISDIN K-Ox Eyes”
  • Invisible and non-greasy sunscreen finish Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “doesn't leave you white as a ghost — ISDIN Fusion Water”
    • “dries down matte — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”
    • “Non-greasy — ISDIN Hyaluronic Moisture”
    • “dark skin friendly — COSRX Ultra-Light Invisible Sunscreen”
  • Effective acne and pore control Often MentionedNot noted
    • “extremely gentle — COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner”
    • “helped to improve my acne after only 2 weeks — COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser”
    • “cleared up my spots — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
  • Strong scent or medicinal fragrance Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like chemicals — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
    • “smells like onions — COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
    • “smell is overpowering — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”
    • “lingering headache inducing effect — ISDIN K-Ox Eyes”
  • Packaging and size issues Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “My only wish is that ISDIN would make this product in a bigger size bottle. — ISDIN Fusion Water”
    • “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”
    • “only 20mls... significantly less product — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”
  • Price and value considerations Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “expensive for me — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”
    • “very expensive — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”

COSRX vs ISDIN routines for dry skin

Buy ISDIN routine · £127.49 · 94% fitBuy COSRX routine · £52.48 · 89% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

COSRX vs ISDIN routines for oily skin

Buy ISDIN routine · £232.16 · 93% fitBuy COSRX routine · £143.60 · 90% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

COSRX vs ISDIN routines for combination skin

Buy ISDIN routine · £221.17 · 93% fitBuy COSRX routine · £119.44 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

COSRX or ISDIN: which is better?

ISDIN has a Superior routine fit for dry skin, combination skin, mature skin, and skin with dark spots, whereas COSRX achieves High for those categories. Reviewers mention that ISDIN has superior ultralight sunscreens, while COSRX offers better value and effective acne control.

What is the difference between COSRX and ISDIN?

COSRX is a South Korean brand founded in 2013 that excels in acne and pore control as well as improving skin texture, whereas ISDIN is a Spanish brand founded in 1975 that provides superior routine fit for dry and mature skin types alongside ultralight, makeup-friendly sunscreens. Reviewers mention that COSRX offers better value and price considerations, while ISDIN is more frequently noted for high price points.

COSRX or ISDIN for dry skin?

ISDIN offers a Superior routine fit for dry skin, whereas the products on this page for COSRX yield a High fit level. Hyaluronic acid helps retain moisture and supports skin hydration.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

COSRX or ISDIN: which moisturizer is better?

Both COSRX and ISDIN offer effective moisturizers, with COSRX providing excellent hydration through products like the Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream and ISDIN featuring options such as the Hyaluronic Concentrate. Lovi rates the routine fit for dry skin as High for COSRX and Superior for ISDIN.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, COSRX or ISDIN?

COSRX is more affordable than ISDIN, as price and value considerations favor COSRX while ISDIN reviewers often mention a high price point.

COSRX or ISDIN: which has better options for mature skin?

ISDIN has a Superior routine fit for mature skin, whereas COSRX achieves a High routine fit for mature skin. Both brands offer targeted serums and sunscreens containing ingredients like retinol and vitamin C that help improve signs of aging and support collagen accumulation in mature skin.

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

Which brand has fewer fragrance concerns in its products?

COSRX has fewer fragrance concerns in its products, as 37 of the 38 products on this page list no fragrance. In comparison, ISDIN has only 3 out of 8 products on this page that list no fragrance.

COSRX or ISDIN: which is better for treating skin with dark spots?

ISDIN is better for treating skin with dark spots, as Lovi rates its routine as Superior compared to COSRX's High. Niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and suppress melanosome transfer.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

COSRX or ISDIN for oily skin?

Both COSRX and ISDIN offer a Superior routine fit for oily skin. Reviewers note that COSRX provides effective acne and pore control, while ISDIN offers ultralight sunscreens.

COSRX or ISDIN: which sunscreen is better?

ISDIN offers sunscreens that reviewers mostly describe as ultralight, lightweight, and makeup-friendly. COSRX sunscreens also feature lightweight hydration and high skin fit across various skin types.

COSRX or ISDIN for sensitive skin?

Both COSRX and ISDIN offer routines with a Superior fit for sensitive skin. COSRX features gentle, fragrance-free formulations with key ingredients like centella asiatica and snail mucin, while ISDIN provides lightweight sunscreens and moisturizers that help soothe sensitive skin types.

COSRX or ISDIN for acne-prone skin?

Both COSRX and ISDIN offer routines with a Superior Lovi fit level for acne-prone skin. COSRX features specific products like the Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence that help with effective acne control and clearing.

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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