RbSr and SmNd isotopic dating and isotopic tracer method are widely applied in both isotopic geochronology and isotope geochemistry. At present, it is necessary to isolate and purificate RbSr and SmNd for the analysis of RbSr and SmNd by isotope mass spectrometry. Therefore how to isolate and enrich Rb, Sr, Sm and Nd in geological samples plays an important role in improving the accuracy of the analysis results. Ion exchange separation method is most widely used in the preprocessing stage of isotope chemistry. Combining with the author′s research in recent years, the development and status of ion exchange separation method applied in isotope analysis was summarized systematically in this paper. In particular, we focus on describing the advantages and disadvantages of some kinds of ion exchange resins (Dowex50W resin; AG50W resin; Strontium spec resin; Ln Spec resin; P507 resin), and their extraction mechanism. At last, this study discusses the development trend of ion exchange resin applied in SrNd isotope analysis.