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ISDIN vs SK-II

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

ISDIN and SK-II are a Spanish skincare brand founded in 1975 and a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1980, respectively. The Spanish brand is beloved for its sophisticated moisturizers, advanced sunscreens, targeted serums, and soothing eye products, while the Japanese brand is cherished for its luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, clarifying toners, and restorative masks anchored by pitera. Both suit dry skin best, though the former also suits sensitive skin with gentle and nourishing care, and the latter also suits acne-prone skin with formulations designed to address imbalances. They differ as the former provides standout solutions such as Fusion Water, Eryfotona Actinica, and K-Ox Eyes, whereas the latter offers Genoptics Ultraura Essence, Facial Treatment Essence, and Facial Treatment Clear Lotion.

ISDIN is a Spanish skincare brand founded in 1975 and owned by Puig.

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SK-II is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1980 and owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991.

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This page compares some of the most popular ISDIN and SK-II products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular ISDIN vs SK-II products

People Say

ISDINSK-II
  • Lightweight and fluid texture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “absorbs instantly — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”
    • “ultra-light fluid product, which makes it super easy to apply — ISDIN Fusion Water”
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Hydrating and smoothing Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Improved moisture and texture — ISDIN Hyaluronic Moisture”
    • “skin looks smooth and healthy — ISDIN K-Ox Eyes”
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “skin feels deeply hydrated, plump, and smoother — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
  • Brightens and evens skin tone Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin feels soft as butter — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “gives a glass skin look — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “leaves me with a red carpet glow — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “My hyperpigmentation has lightened and skin looks more even, even shines more. — ISDIN Flavo-C Serum”
  • Gentle on sensitive skin Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Sensitive/reactive skin tolerates — ISDIN Hyaluronic Moisture”
    • “no excessive exfoliation — ISDIN Retinal Intense Serum”
    • “doesn't sting eyes — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”
    • “Great for sensitive — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
  • Makeup compatibility Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “acts like a primer — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”
    • “My skin felt sooo hydrated and looks so plump and dewey. — ISDIN Fusion Water”
    • “Great under makeup — ISDIN Hyaluronic Concentrate”
    • “Dissolves waterproof mascara, melts stubborn makeup, removes sunscreen easily. — SK-II Facial Treatment 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”
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Strong fragrance and scent issues Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “smell is overpowering — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”
    • “lingering headache inducing effect — ISDIN K-Ox Eyes”
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “smells slightly like saliva — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Lack of results Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “don't see result — ISDIN K-Ox Eyes”
    • “no noticeable changes yet — ISDIN Retinal Intense Serum”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Skin irritation and breakouts Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “mild redness or irritation — ISDIN K-Ox Eyes”
    • “Not hydrating enough in winter — ISDIN Hyaluronic Concentrate”
    • “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”
    • “caused tiny red bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”

ISDIN vs SK-II routines for dry skin

Buy ISDIN routine · £127.49 · 94% fitBuy SK-II routine · £225.40 · 91% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

ISDIN vs SK-II routines for oily skin

Buy ISDIN routine · £232.16 · 93% fitBuy SK-II routine · £339.53 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

ISDIN vs SK-II routines for combination skin

Buy ISDIN routine · £221.17 · 93% fitBuy SK-II routine · £308.34 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

ISDIN or SK-II: which is better?

Both ISDIN and SK-II are great options, but ISDIN is superior for sensitive skin and makeup compatibility, while SK-II does better at brightening and evening skin tone. Lovi rates ISDIN as having superior routine fit levels across most skin types on this page.

What is the difference between ISDIN and SK-II?

ISDIN is a Spanish brand founded in 1975 that helps provide gentle care for sensitive skin and makeup-friendly sunscreens, while SK-II is a Japanese brand founded in 1980 that is known for its signature Pitera ingredient and brightening benefits across the products on this page.

ISDIN or SK-II for dry skin?

Both brands are great choices since Lovi rates ISDIN as Superior and SK-II as High for dry skin. Topical hyaluronic acid helps hydrate the skin and improve signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

ISDIN or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

Both ISDIN and SK-II offer popular moisturizers on this page, with ISDIN featuring options like Hyaluronic Moisture and SK-II offering the Facial Treatment Essence and Skinpower Advanced Cream. SK-II products on this page list no fragrance, while several ISDIN moisturizers may include fragrance.

Which is more affordable, ISDIN or SK-II?

Both ISDIN and SK-II products on this page have a high price point, but ISDIN is frequently noted by reviewers for its high price while SK-II does not have specific pricing complaints mentioned.

Between ISDIN and SK-II, which brand has a stronger fragrance or scent issues?

When it comes to fragrance, reviewers note that ISDIN sometimes has a strong fragrance, while every SK-II product on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Which brand performs better at brightening and evening skin tone, ISDIN or SK-II?

SK-II performs better at brightening and evens skin tone compared to ISDIN, according to the review themes on this page.

How do the founding years and countries of origin compare between ISDIN and SK-II?

ISDIN was founded in 1975 in Spain, whereas SK-II was founded in 1980 in Japan.

ISDIN or SK-II for oily skin?

For oily skin, ISDIN is the better fit overall as Lovi rates it as Superior, while SK-II achieves a High fit level.

ISDIN or SK-II for sensitive skin?

Both ISDIN and SK-II are good options, but ISDIN is Lovi-rated Superior for sensitive skin while SK-II reaches a High level. ISDIN is often noted for being gentle on sensitive skin, though some products on this page list fragrance.

ISDIN or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, both brands offer products on this page with a high Lovi fit level, while ISDIN is noted for having a superior routine fit overall. Reviewers mention that ISDIN sunscreens are ultralight and skin-friendly, though some products on this page contain fragrance.

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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