Brand Comparison

ISDIN vs Dr. Althea

A head-to-head comparison of two popular K-beauty brands. Which one is right for your skin?

Our Pick

ISDIN

Higher editor rating (9 vs 8.8)

ISDIN Dr. Althea

Rating9/108.8/10

Price RangeMid-Range ($$)Mid-Range ($$)

Founded19752003

OriginBarcelona, SpainSeoul, South Korea

Products155

Best Fornormal, Dry, Combo, Oily, Sensitive, MatureSensitive, compromised-barrier, Mature, Dry

PhilosophyPhotoprotection treated as primary skincare — clinical-grade sunscreens that double as anti-aging treatments through DNA-repair photolyase enzymes and Mediterranean-tested filter systems.Dermatologist-led K-beauty — clinical formulations, no wasted space, 147 as in the number of ingredients in the cream that made them famous.

ISDIN

ISDIN is Spain's #1 dermatologist-recommended sunscreen brand and arguably the most clinically considered sunscreen house in the world. Founded in 1975 in Barcelona, the brand's R&D investment in photo-immunoprevention is unmatched: the Eryfotona Actinica line pairs broad-spectrum mineral SPF with photolyase enzymes (sourced from blue-green algae) that actively repair UV-induced DNA damage already in the skin — a mechanism no other major brand has commercialised. The Fusion Water Magic SPF 50 is the viral disappearing-finish daily, and the Flavo-C ampoules are the antioxidant ritual prescribed before vitamin C even became a Sephora category. ISDIN's identity is hospital-pedigree photoprotection translated into wearable, daily-driver formulations — the dermatologist's prescription pad in tube form.

Pros

✓ Eryfotona Actinica with photolyase DNA-repair — uniquely clinical photoprotection
✓ Fusion Water Magic — the viral water-feel daily SPF that disappears on contact
✓ single-dose Isdinceutics ampoule format — preserves vitamin C without oxidation
✓ the most-prescribed Spanish dermatology sunscreen brand globally

Cons

✗ premium pricing tier for what looks superficially like generic SPF
✗ branding feels clinical-functional, not editorial
✗ international distribution skews to pharmacy / medical channels — not Sephora-shelf
✗ Eryfotona Actinica's photolyase claim is supported by company data, not yet meta-analysis

Dr. Althea

Dr. Althea is the dermatologist-led K-beauty brand quietly outperforming its more-hyped peers on every actives-forward product. The 147 Enriched Cream (147 active and adjunct ingredients in one barrier cream) is the reason Reddit's AsianBeauty community keeps pointing new people here. No sparkly packaging, no K-pop collab — just well-built formulas with peptide, ceramide, and panthenol stacks that hold up under scrutiny.