Dr. Althea vs RoC
Dr. Althea and RoC are established skincare brands known for soothing moisturizers, gentle cleansers, nourishing serums, effective makeup removers, and targeted eye products. The Korean brand features soothing formulas with ingredients suited best for dry and acne-prone skin, while the French brand employs nourishing glycerin and potent retinol to best suit acne-prone and mature skin. Both offer standout solutions for dark spots, with the former providing balanced hydration and the latter utilizing retinol to significantly reduce fine wrinkles and increase collagen. Ultimately, they differ in their foundational approaches, offering distinct yet reliable paths to healthier skin.
Dr. Althea is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2014 and owned by The Pure Lab Co., Ltd..
doctoraltheaglobal.comdoctoralthea.co.kr
RoC is a French skincare brand founded in 1957 and owned by Bridgepoint Group plc since 2024.
en.wikipedia.orgprnewswire.combeautymatter.com
This page compares some of the most popular Dr. Althea and RoC products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Dr. Althea vs RoC products
- Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream
-
Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream
A$118.65
- Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Serum
- Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Max Hydration Cream
- Derm Correxion Fill + Treat Serum
- Multi Correxion Revive + Glow Daily Serum
- Derm Correxion Dual Eye Cream
- Multi Correxion Hydrate + Plump Eye Cream
People Say
Lightweight and Fast Absorbing Texture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “absorbs beautifully — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
- “rich but non-greasy — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
- “absorbs nicely — RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream”
- “Absorbs easily and quickly — RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream”
Soothing and Gentle for Sensitive Skin Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
- “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”
- “doesn't leave my skin feeling tight — RoC BARRIER RENEW® GEL-TO-FOAM CLEANSER”
Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “hydrating but light — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
- “consistently hydrated mornings — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
- “skin is no longer dry — RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Max Hydration Cream”
- “Areas stay hydrated all day — RoC Multi Correxion Hydrate + Plump Eye Cream”
Improves Skin Texture and Radiance Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
- “diminished my forehead lines — RoC Derm Correxion Fill + Treat Serum”
- “instant luminosity — RoC Multi Correxion Revive + Glow Daily Serum”
- “face looked smoother — RoC Daily Resurfacing Disks”
- “faded dark spots — Dr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum”
Wrinkle and Fine Line Reduction Not notedOften Mentioned
- “wrinkles look less deep — RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream”
- “Fine lines definitely softer — RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream”
- “crow's feet are fading — RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Serum”
Cleansing and Makeup Removal Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
- “Removes sunscreen well — Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm”
- “great for morning routine — Dr. Althea Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser”
- “lathers a lot — RoC Daily Resurfacing Disks”
Scent and Irritation Issues Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “smells like plants — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
- “clinical scent — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
- “Clouds vision temporarily — Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm”
- “smells like perfume — RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream”
Packaging and Quantity Issues Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “tube cracks easily — RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream”
- “Tube oozes product — RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream”
- “pump stopped working — RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Serum”
- “Runs out fast — Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm”
Subtle or Slow Results Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
- “didn't see big difference — Dr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum”
- “took 4 weeks to see change — RoC Derm Correxion Fill + Treat Serum”
Dr. Althea vs RoC routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$25.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Pyunkang Yul Calming Deep Moisture Toner
Morning
A$23.99
-
Moisturizer
345 Relief Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$22.40
-
SPF
Bioderma Photoderm Mineral Fluide SPF50+
Morning
A$24.49
-
Pre-Cleanser
Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
A$26.99
-
Serum or Treatment
Vitamin C Boosting Serum
Evening · Once a week
A$37.00
-
Enzyme Powder
FANCL Facial Washing Powder
Once a week
A$35.50
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
A$28.48
-
Cleanser
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$26.59
-
Hydrating Toner
Pyunkang Yul Calming Deep Moisture Toner
Morning
A$23.99
- Moisturizer Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Max Hydration Cream Morning · Evening · Once a week
-
SPF
Bioderma Photoderm Mineral Fluide SPF50+
Morning
A$24.49
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
A$27.35
-
Serum or Treatment
Daily Resurfacing Disks
Evening · Once a week
A$36.49
-
Enzyme Powder
FANCL Facial Washing Powder
Once a week
A$35.50
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
A$28.48
Buy Dr. Althea routine · A$223.85 · 91% fit
Buy RoC routine · A$202.89 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Dr. Althea vs RoC routines for oily skin
-
Cleanser
Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$25.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
A$34.66
-
Moisturizer
345 Relief Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$22.40
-
SPF
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Dry Touch Sunscreen SPF 60
Morning
A$27.99
-
Pre-Cleanser
Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
A$26.99
-
Cleansing Toner
Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Toner
Evening
A$75.95
-
Serum or Treatment
Vitamin C Boosting Serum
Evening · Once a week
A$37.00
-
Enzyme Powder
FANCL Facial Washing Powder
Once a week
A$35.50
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
A$118.35
-
Cleanser
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$13.99
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
A$34.66
- Moisturizer Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Max Hydration Cream Morning · Evening · Once a week
-
SPF
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Dry Touch Sunscreen SPF 60
Morning
A$27.99
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
A$80.43
-
Cleansing Toner
Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Toner
Evening
A$75.95
-
Serum or Treatment
Daily Resurfacing Disks
Evening · Once a week
A$36.49
-
Enzyme Powder
FANCL Facial Washing Powder
Once a week
A$35.50
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
A$118.35
Buy Dr. Althea routine · A$403.84 · 89% fit
Buy RoC routine · A$423.36 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
Dr. Althea vs RoC routines for combination skin
-
Cleanser
Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$25.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
A$42.00
-
Moisturizer
345 Relief Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$22.40
-
Pre-Cleanser
Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
A$26.99
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
A$29.90
-
Serum or Treatment
Vitamin C Boosting Serum
Evening · Once a week
A$37.00
-
Enzyme Powder
FANCL Facial Washing Powder
Once a week
A$35.50
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
A$118.35
-
Cleanser
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$73.61
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
A$42.00
- Moisturizer Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Max Hydration Cream Morning · Evening · Once a week
-
Pre-Cleanser
Pyunkang Yul Deep Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
A$30.99
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
A$29.90
-
Serum or Treatment
Daily Resurfacing Disks
Evening · Once a week
A$36.49
-
Enzyme Powder
FANCL Facial Washing Powder
Once a week
A$35.50
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
A$118.35
Buy Dr. Althea routine · A$337.14 · 87% fit
Buy RoC routine · A$366.84 · 85% fitSee multi-brand routine · 95% fit
Questions and answers
Dr. Althea or RoC: which is better?
Dr. Althea and RoC both perform well, but they serve different needs because Dr. Althea is better for soothing sensitive skin and gentle cleansing, while RoC is better for reducing wrinkles and improving skin texture. For dry skin routines, Lovi rates Dr. Althea as Superior and RoC as High.
What is the difference between Dr. Althea and RoC?
Dr. Althea is better for soothing and gentle cleansing, whereas RoC is stronger for wrinkle and fine line reduction and improving skin texture. Both brands provide good hydration and lightweight textures among the products on this page.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Archives of Dermatology, 2007
Dr. Althea or RoC for dry skin?
For dry skin, Dr. Althea achieves a Superior routine fit level while RoC reaches a High level. Dr. Althea provides fragrance-free moisturizers and gentle cleansers that help soothe and hydrate dry skin, whereas RoC features effective anti-aging retinol treatments that may occasionally cause irritation.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Archives of Dermatology, 2007
Dr. Althea or RoC: which cleanser is better?
Dr. Althea is better for gentle and soothing cleansing, as every product on this page for the brand lists no fragrance. Lovi rates the Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser as Superior for acne-prone, oily, combination, and dry skin.
Which is more affordable, Dr. Althea or RoC?
The products on this page do not have pricing information, so a comparison of affordability between Dr. Althea and RoC cannot be made.
Which brand performs better for wrinkle and fine line reduction, Dr. Althea or RoC?
RoC performs better for wrinkle and fine line reduction, as review themes on the products on this page indicate it excels in this area. RoC's use of retinol helps reduce signs of aging and improves skin texture.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Archives of Dermatology, 2007
Do Dr. Althea products contain fragrance, and how does that compare to RoC?
Every Dr. Althea product on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas RoC includes fragrance in 2 of its 12 products on this page.
Which brand is better suited for soothing sensitive skin, Dr. Althea or RoC?
Dr. Althea is better suited for soothing sensitive skin because review themes show it is more soothing and gentle for sensitive skin than RoC. Furthermore, every product on the Dr. Althea page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, while some RoC products contain strong fragrance and scent.
Dr. Althea or RoC for oily skin?
For oily skin, Dr. Althea has a High routine fit on this page, while RoC also has a High routine fit. Dr. Althea products on this page list no fragrance, whereas RoC includes fragrance in some of its formulas.
Dr. Althea or RoC: which moisturizer is better?
When comparing moisturizers, Dr. Althea provides superior routine fit levels for dry and acne-prone skin, whereas RoC offers high fit levels for mature skin and uses retinol, which helps stimulate collagen accumulation in aged skin. Every product on this page from Dr. Althea lists no fragrance, while RoC includes both fragrance-free options and fragranced formulas that may cause skin irritation.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Archives of Dermatology, 2007
Dr. Althea or RoC for sensitive skin?
For sensitive skin, Dr. Althea achieves a High Lovi fit and is better for soothing and gentleness, whereas RoC also achieves a High Lovi fit but is more prone to irritation issues.
Dr. Althea or RoC for acne-prone skin?
For acne-prone skin, Dr. Althea achieves a Superior routine fit, while RoC reaches a High level. Reviewers note that Dr. Althea provides gentle, soothing cleansers, whereas RoC focuses more on anti-aging and texture improvement.
Research behind their key ingredients
Cutaneous photoprotection from ultraviolet injury by green tea polyphenols
Molecular basis of retinol anti-ageing properties in naturally aged human skin in vivo
Encapsulation and controlled release of retinol from silicone particles for topical delivery
Microneedling by dermapen and glycolic acid peel for the treatment of acne scars: Comparative study
Development and efficacy assessments of tea seed oil makeup remover
Study of the soothing effects of troxerutin in alleviating skin sensitivity
Effects of fermented tea seed oil on the skin lipid barrier and microbiome of sensitive skin
Targeting Circadian Rhythm for the Regulation of Skin Collagen Metabolism
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.
-

Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-

Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-

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
-

Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-

Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-

Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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