Medicube vs Dr. Althea
Medicube and Dr. Althea are two Korean skincare brands offering thoughtful moisturizers and serums. Medicube incorporates niacinamide, collagen, and hyaluronic acid to suit oily acne-prone skin and oily skin best, whereas Dr. Althea relies on gentle formulas to suit acne-prone skin and dry skin best. While the former focuses on balancing excess sebum, the latter provides steady, soothing care for daily routines.
Medicube is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2016 and owned by APR Corp..
medicubereviews.co.ukglossy.co
Dr. Althea is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2014 and owned by The Pure Lab Co., Ltd..
doctoraltheaglobal.comdoctoralthea.co.kr
This page compares some of the most popular Medicube and Dr. Althea products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Medicube vs Dr. Althea products
People Say
Soothing and Gentle Formulas Often 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”
- “great for sensitive skin — Dr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum”
- “refreshing sensation — Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Gel Mask”
Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
- “skin feels bouncier and hydrated — Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum”
- “glass skin — Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Gel Mask”
- “woke up with baby soft skin — Medicube Collagen Jelly Cream”
- “hydrating but light — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
Cleansing and Pores Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “absorbs beautifully — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
- “foam is rich and creamy — Dr. Althea Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser”
- “absorbs quickly — Dr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum”
- “Pores drastically reduced — Medicube Zero Foam Cleanser”
Texture and Smoothness Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “rich but non-greasy — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
- “Melts instantly — Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm”
- “faded acne scars — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
- “gives my skin a smooth, glass-like finish — Medicube Zero Pore Pad”
Unique Application & Features Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “feels amazing and cooling — Medicube Zero Pore Blackhead Mud Mask”
- “dries super fast — Medicube Zero Pore Blackhead Mud Mask”
- “active breakouts look less inflamed — Medicube Red Succinic Acid Peeling Pad”
- “Innovative dial mechanism — Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm”
Glow and Brightening Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “gave me instant glass skin — Medicube Collagen Jelly Cream”
- “woke up with glowing skin — Medicube Collagen Night Wrapping Mask”
- “Dark spots go away faster — Medicube Deep Vita C Pad”
- “faded dark spots — Dr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum”
Packaging and Application Issues Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “messy — Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Gel Mask”
- “lifted around the nose/eyes — Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Gel Mask”
- “Hard to see remaining amount — Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm”
- “Struggles with waterproof mascara — Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm”
Stickiness and Heavy Residue Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “too nourishing for combo skin — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
- “left a moisturizing film — Dr. Althea Amino Gel Cleanser”
- “leaves a tacky film — Dr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum”
- “hair sticks to my face — Medicube Collagen Jelly Cream”
Acne and Breakouts Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “caused redness and sensitivity — Medicube Zero Pore Pad”
- “woke up with whiteheads — Medicube Collagen Night Wrapping Mask”
- “broke me out — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
- “gave me cystic acne — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
Price and Quantity Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “tube is tiny for the price — Medicube Collagen Night Wrapping Mask”
- “price is steep — Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Gel Mask”
- “Runs out fast — Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm”
- “a bit pricey — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
Medicube vs Dr. Althea routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 47.70
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Moisturizer
345 Relief Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 54.05
-
SPF
Dr.G Green Mild Up Sun+
Morning
AED 81.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
AED 49.99
-
Cleansing Toner
ROUND LAB 1025 Dokdo Cleansing Water
Evening
AED 38.99
-
Serum or Treatment
Vitamin C Boosting Serum
Evening · Once a week
AED 46.00
-
Enzyme Powder
VT Cica Mild Powder Wash
Once a week
AED 47.62
-
Nourishing Mask
Mediheal Watermide Essential Mask
Once a week
AED 65.00
-
Cleanser
Zero Foam Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 38.99
-
Hydrating Toner
Triple Collagen Toner
Morning
AED 38.55
-
Moisturizer
AGE-R Booster Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 92.33
-
SPF
Dr.G Green Mild Up Sun+
Morning
AED 81.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
AED 35.29
-
Cleansing Toner
Zero Pore Pad
Evening
AED 41.99
-
Serum or Treatment
One Day Exosome Shot 2000
Evening · Once a week
AED 35.00
-
Enzyme Powder
VT Cica Mild Powder Wash
Once a week
AED 47.62
-
Nourishing Mask
Deep Peptide Radiance Mask
Once a week
AED 49.99
Buy Dr. Althea routine · AED 430.35 · 90% fit
Buy Medicube routine · AED 460.76 · 86% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
Medicube vs Dr. Althea routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 47.70
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
AED 49.99
-
Moisturizer
345 Relief Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 54.05
-
SPF
d'Alba UVessence Mild Waterfull Sun Cream SPF 50
Morning
AED 92.70
-
Pre-Cleanser
Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
AED 49.99
-
Cleansing Toner
Pixi Glow Tonic
Evening
AED 120.00
-
Serum or Treatment
Vitamin C Boosting Serum
Evening · Once a week
AED 46.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
AED 101.09
-
Cleansing Mask
Revision Skincare Black Mask
Once a week
AED 204.00
-
Cleanser
Red Foam Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 50.50
-
Hydrating Toner
Triple Collagen Toner
Morning · Once a week
AED 38.55
-
Moisturizer
AGE-R Booster Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 92.33
-
SPF
d'Alba UVessence Mild Waterfull Sun Cream SPF 50
Morning
AED 92.70
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
AED 179.45
-
Cleansing Toner
Zero Pore Pad
Evening
AED 41.99
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
AED 101.09
-
Cleansing Mask
Zero Pore Blackhead Mud Mask
Once a week
AED 49.00
Buy Dr. Althea routine · AED 765.52 · 90% fit
Buy Medicube routine · AED 645.61 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Medicube vs Dr. Althea routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 47.70
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
AED 145.00
-
Moisturizer
345 Relief Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 54.05
-
Pre-Cleanser
Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
AED 49.99
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
AED 53.12
-
Serum or Treatment
Vitamin C Boosting Serum
Evening · Once a week
AED 46.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
AED 101.09
-
Cleansing Mask
KORA Organics Turmeric Brightening & Exfoliating Mask
Once a week
AED 122.93
-
Cleanser
Red Foam Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 50.50
-
Hydrating Toner
Triple Collagen Toner
Morning · Once a week
AED 38.55
-
Moisturizer
AGE-R Booster Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 92.33
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
AED 179.45
-
Cleansing Toner
Zero Pore Pad
Evening
AED 41.99
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
AED 101.09
-
Cleansing Mask
Zero Pore Blackhead Mud Mask
Once a week
AED 49.00
Buy Dr. Althea routine · AED 619.88 · 88% fit
Buy Medicube routine · AED 552.91 · 86% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
Questions and answers
Medicube or Dr. Althea: which is better?
Medicube is better for hydration and brightening, while Dr. Althea does better with soothing and gentle formulas, as well as cleansing and pores.
What is the difference between Medicube and Dr. Althea?
Medicube is known for deep hydration and brightening, while Dr. Althea specializes in soothing and gentle formulas. For a dry skin routine, Medicube has a High Lovi fit and Dr. Althea has a Superior Lovi fit.
Medicube or Dr. Althea for dry skin?
Dr. Althea is a better fit for dry skin, as the routine fit on this page is Superior compared to Medicube's High level. Both brands offer hydrating moisturizers, but Dr. Althea's Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser is rated as a Superior fit for dry skin alongside its 345 Relief Cream.
Medicube or Dr. Althea: which cleanser is better?
Dr. Althea tends to perform better for cleansing and pores according to reviewer feedback. The Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser on this page achieves a Superior Lovi fit level for dry skin, oily skin, combination skin, and acne-prone skin.
Which is more affordable, Medicube or Dr. Althea?
Both Medicube and Dr. Althea have similar pricing issues reported by reviewers on the products on this page.
Which brand performs better for soothing and gentle formulas, Medicube or Dr. Althea?
Dr. Althea performs better for soothing and gentle formulas compared to Medicube. The products on this page for Dr. Althea are noted for their gentle and soothing cleansers and moisturizers.
How do the fragrance inclusions compare between Medicube and Dr. Althea products?
Medicube includes fragrance in only 2 of the 25 products on this page, while Dr. Althea has no fragrance listed for any of its products.
Which brand is better suited for achieving a glow and brightening, Medicube or Dr. Althea?
Medicube is better suited for achieving a glow and brightening because review themes show that the brand does better in that category. The products on this page utilize key ingredients like niacinamide, which helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation.
Medicube or Dr. Althea for oily skin?
For oily skin, Dr. Althea has a Superior routine fit with the products on this page, while Medicube has a High routine fit.
Medicube or Dr. Althea: which moisturizer is better?
When choosing a moisturizer, Dr. Althea tends to offer better soothing and gentle formulas, while Medicube excels in providing deep hydration and radiant glow. For dry skin, the routine fit for Dr. Althea is rated as Superior compared to Medicube's High level.
Medicube or Dr. Althea for sensitive skin?
Medicube is Lovi rated High for sensitive skin, and Dr. Althea is Lovi rated High. Medicube offers products on this page that may help with hydration and glow, while Dr. Althea tends to provide gentle and soothing formulas with no fragrance listed across its products.
Medicube or Dr. Althea for acne-prone skin?
Dr. Althea fits acne-prone skin with a Superior routine level, while Medicube provides a High routine level. Dr. Althea also excels in soothing and gentle formulas as well as cleansing and pores.
Research behind their key ingredients
Topical palmitoyl pentapeptide provides improvement in photoaged human facial skin
Apigenin inhibits UVA-induced cytotoxicity in vitro and prevents signs of skin aging in vivo
Effect of Camellia japonica oil on human type I procollagen production and skin barrier function
Protective effects of Camellia japonica flower extract against urban air pollutants
Microneedling by dermapen and glycolic acid peel for the treatment of acne scars: Comparative study
A comparative study of gluconolactone versus benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of acne
The synergistic effect of retinyl propionate and hydroxypinacolone retinoate on skin aging
Supramolecular collagen nanoparticles for anti-wrinkle, skin whitening, and moisturizing effects
The anti wrinkle efficacy of synthetic hexapeptide (Argireline) in Chinese Subjects
Functional properties and skin care effects of sodium trehalose sulfate
Composition characterization and clinical efficacy study of a salmon egg extract
Development and efficacy assessments of tea seed oil makeup remover
Anti-Aging Efficacy of Low-Molecular-Weight Polydeoxyribonucleotide Derived from Paeonia lactiflora
Effects of fermented tea seed oil on the skin lipid barrier and microbiome of sensitive skin
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.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-

Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-

Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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