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Dr. Althea vs Simple

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

Dr. Althea and Simple are established skincare brands offering gentle moisturizers, cleansers, and makeup removers designed for daily routines. Founded in 2014 and 1960 respectively, the Korean and British lines rely on soothing formulas featuring ingredients like niacinamide and glycerin to support various complexions. While the former suits acne-prone and dry skin with standout options like the 345 Relief Cream, the latter excels for oily and acne-prone skin through staples like the Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner. Ultimately, both differ in their regional heritage and specific botanical solutions, yet share a commitment to balanced, reliable care.

Dr. Althea is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2014 and owned by The Pure Lab Co., Ltd..

doctoraltheaglobal.comdoctoralthea.co.kr

Simple is a British skincare brand founded in 1960 and owned by Unilever PLC since 2011.

en.wikipedia.orgsec.govprnewswire.comsimple.co.uk

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

Popular Dr. Althea vs Simple products

People Say

Dr. AltheaSimple
  • Gentle Formula for Sensitive Skin Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “doesn't dry out my face — Dr. Althea Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser”
    • “skin doesn't feel stripped — Dr. Althea Amino Gel Cleanser”
    • “Does not cause any form of irritation on the skin which I love. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “The only cleanser that doesn't turn my face red. — Simple Micellar Water”
  • Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “hydrating but light — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
    • “consistently hydrated mornings — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
    • “banished dryness within days — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “Instantly boosts skin's hydration... face doesn't feel dry and tight. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
  • Soothing and Calming Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “calms redness — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
    • “instantly calms irritated skin — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
    • “perfect for sensitive skin — Dr. Althea Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser”
    • “doesn't sting my eyes — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
  • Lightweight and Fast Absorbing Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
    • “absorbs very quickly — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “absorbs really well — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “absorbs beautifully — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
  • Skin Texture and Tone Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “rich but non-greasy — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
    • “Melts instantly — Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm”
    • “faded dark spots — Dr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum”
  • Affordable Price Point Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “great value for money — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
    • “super affordable — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “Can't beat the price for the quality. — Simple Micellar Water”
  • Weak Makeup Removal Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Struggles with waterproof mascara — Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm”
    • “won't remove mascara — Dr. Althea Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser”
    • “Did not remove my mascara very well at all. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
  • Causes Breakouts and Reactions Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “broke me out — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
    • “gave me cystic acne — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
    • “Gave me tiny bumps on my forehead. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “caused major breakouts — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
  • Insufficient Hydration or Moisture Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “not enough for dry skin — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
    • “not moisturizing enough — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”

Dr. Althea vs Simple routines for dry skin

Buy Dr. Althea routine · AED 430.35 · 90% fitBuy Simple routine · AED 455.14 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Dr. Althea vs Simple routines for oily skin

Buy Dr. Althea routine · AED 765.52 · 90% fitBuy Simple routine · AED 790.31 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Dr. Althea vs Simple routines for combination skin

Buy Dr. Althea routine · AED 619.88 · 88% fitBuy Simple routine · AED 644.67 · 85% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Dr. Althea or Simple: which is better?

Dr. Althea achieves a Superior routine fit for dry, oily, and acne-prone skin, while Simple reaches a High fit for those same skin types. Reviewers note that Simple offers lightweight, value-friendly moisturizers, whereas Dr. Althea provides soothing and hydrating moisturizers.

What is the difference between Dr. Althea and Simple?

Dr. Althea tends to perform better for acne-prone, oily, and dry skin with a Lovi routine fit of Superior, while Simple offers a High fit for those skin types. Reviewers note that Dr. Althea excels at soothing and calming, whereas Simple is valued for being lightweight, fast-absorbing, and affordable.

Dr. Althea or Simple for dry skin?

For dry skin, Dr. Althea has a Superior routine fit while Simple has a High routine fit on this page. Dr. Althea also does better for soothing and calming dry skin.

Dr. Althea or Simple: which cleanser is better?

Dr. Althea offers a better cleanser option on this page, as its Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser achieves a Superior Lovi fit for acne-prone, oily, combination, and dry skin. In comparison, Simple features the Refreshing Facial Wash, which has only an Average or Low Lovi fit across those same skin types.

Which is more affordable, Dr. Althea or Simple?

Simple is more affordable, offering a more budget-friendly price point compared to Dr. Althea.

Which brand is better for soothing and calming the skin, Dr. Althea or Simple?

Dr. Althea does better than Simple for soothing and calming the skin. Reviewers mostly mention Dr. Althea for soothing cleansers and moisturizers.

Which brand is better for skin texture and tone, Dr. Althea or Simple?

Dr. Althea is better than Simple for skin texture and tone. Its Vitamin C Boosting Serum helps brighten and improve overall skin texture, while the products on this page provide targeted support for dark spots and uneven tone.

Antioxidants, 2021Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

Which brand offers more lightweight and fast-absorbing products, Dr. Althea or Simple?

Simple offers more lightweight and fast-absorbing products according to the review themes on the page. Both brands feature fragrance-free formulations.

Dr. Althea or Simple for oily skin?

Dr. Althea has a Superior fit level for oily skin, whereas Simple has an Average to High fit level across its products. Reviewers note that Dr. Althea offers soothing and gentle cleansers, while Simple provides lightweight, value-friendly moisturizers.

Dr. Althea or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

Dr. Althea offers superior moisture options like the 345 Relief Cream for dry skin, whereas Simple features lightweight moisturizers like the Hydrating Light Moisturiser that have an average fit across skin types. Glycerin in Simple's formulas helps maintain hydration.

Dr. Althea or Simple for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, both brands work well, with Lovi giving Dr. Althea a High fit level and Simple a High fit level as well. Reviewers note that both brands offer gentle, sensitive-skin-friendly formulas on this page.

Dr. Althea or Simple for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, Dr. Althea is a better fit with a Superior routine rating compared to Simple's High routine rating on this page. Reviewers note that Dr. Althea offers gentle and soothing cleansers along with hydrating moisturizers.

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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