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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 established skincare brands offering distinct approaches to daily skin health and comfort. The Canadian brand centers its serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and toners on hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane to suit dry and dry sensitive skin best, while the Spanish house is beloved for sophisticated moisturizers, advanced sunscreens, targeted serums, and soothing eye products driven by meticulously crafted formulas for sensitive and dry skin. Both labels address specific concerns effectively, though the former features targeted acid and niacinamide treatments, and the latter relies on expert preparations like Fusion Water, Eryfotona Actinica, and K-Ox Eyes.

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

Buy The Ordinary routine · £90.51 · 97% fitBuy ISDIN routine · £127.49 · 94% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

The Ordinary vs ISDIN routines for oily skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · £120.07 · 93% fitBuy ISDIN routine · £232.16 · 93% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

The Ordinary vs ISDIN routines for combination skin

Buy ISDIN routine · £221.17 · 93% fitBuy The Ordinary routine · £134.25 · 92% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or ISDIN: which is better?

Both The Ordinary and ISDIN provide great options, with Lovi fit levels reaching Superior across all skin types for both brands. The Ordinary delivers better affordability and value, whereas ISDIN is often preferred for lightweight textures.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and ISDIN?

The Ordinary provides highly affordable products with many fragrance-free options, whereas ISDIN is often noted for its ultralight sunscreens and lightweight moisturizers but comes at a higher price point. Both brands achieve superior routine fit levels across major skin types on this page.

The Ordinary or ISDIN for dry skin?

Both The Ordinary and ISDIN offer a Superior routine fit for dry skin. The Ordinary features affordable options and zero fragrance across the products on this page, while ISDIN is often noted for lightweight hydration.

The Ordinary or ISDIN: which moisturizer is better?

Both The Ordinary and ISDIN offer effective moisturizers, with The Ordinary focusing on affordability and ISDIN on lightweight formulas. Lovi rates both brands as having Superior routine fit for dry skin, dry sensitive skin, and other skin types.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or ISDIN?

The Ordinary is more affordable, offering products known for affordability and great value, while ISDIN is often noted for a high price point.

Which brand has more fragrance concerns, The Ordinary or ISDIN?

ISDIN has more fragrance concerns than The Ordinary, as review themes note fragrance and scent concerns for ISDIN while every product on The Ordinary page lists no fragrance.

How do the founding years and corporate ownerships of The Ordinary and ISDIN compare?

The Ordinary was founded in Canada in 2016 and is owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc., whereas ISDIN was founded in Spain in 1975 and is owned by Puig.

Which brand performs better for hydration and plumping based on reviewer themes?

ISDIN performs better for hydration and plumping based on reviewer themes. Hyaluronic acid helps provide hydration and plumping effects in the skin.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or ISDIN for oily skin?

Both The Ordinary and ISDIN reach a Superior Lovi fit level for oily skin. The Ordinary offers affordable targeted treatments, while ISDIN is often praised for ultralight sunscreens.

The Ordinary or ISDIN for sensitive skin?

Both The Ordinary and ISDIN achieve a Superior routine fit for sensitive skin. The Ordinary offers fragrance-free products on the products on this page, while ISDIN may sometimes feature fragrance.

The Ordinary or ISDIN for acne-prone skin?

Both The Ordinary and ISDIN achieve a Superior routine fit level for acne-prone skin. The Ordinary offers affordable acne-clearing serums on the products on this page, while ISDIN features ultralight sunscreens.

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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