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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 two skincare brands offering gentle cleansers, moisturizers, and makeup removers designed to support delicate barriers. While Dr. Althea relies on soothing formulas with standout items like the Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser and 345 Relief Cream to suit dry and acne-prone skin best, Simple thoughtfully utilizes skin-friendly ingredients like niacinamide and glycerin in formulations such as the Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner and Micellar Cleansing Water to best suit acne-prone and oily acne-prone skin. Ultimately, the Korean brand focuses on nourishing serums and balanced hydration, whereas the British brand differs by featuring toners that improve hydration and aging signs.

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 · A$223.85 · 91% fitBuy Simple routine · A$208.81 · 84% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Dr. Althea vs Simple routines for oily skin

Buy Dr. Althea routine · A$403.84 · 89% fitBuy Simple routine · A$388.80 · 86% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Dr. Althea vs Simple routines for combination skin

Buy Dr. Althea routine · A$337.14 · 87% fitBuy Simple routine · A$322.10 · 84% fitSee multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

Dr. Althea or Simple: which is better?

Dr. Althea achieves a Superior routine fit for dry and acne-prone skin, whereas Simple reaches a High fit for those same skin types. Both brands are free of fragrance across the products on this page and help support hydration.

What is the difference between Dr. Althea and Simple?

Dr. Althea provides a Superior routine fit for acne-prone skin and dry skin, while Simple offers an affordable price point and lightweight, value-friendly moisturizers. Reviewers note that every product on this page for both brands lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Dr. Althea or Simple for dry skin?

Dr. Althea is a superior fit for dry skin, while Simple provides a high routine fit. Every product from Dr. Althea on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Dr. Althea or Simple: which cleanser is better?

Dr. Althea is better for cleansers on this page, achieving a Superior Lovi fit level for dry, oily, combination, and acne-prone skin compared to Simple's Average fit for those skin types. Reviewers mostly mention Dr. Althea for gentle and soothing cleansers.

Which is more affordable, Dr. Althea or Simple?

Simple is more affordable than Dr. Althea, as an affordable price point is one of its key strengths on this page.

Between Dr. Althea and Simple, which brand is better for skin texture and tone?

Dr. Althea does better than Simple for skin texture and tone. The products on this page help improve the appearance of the skin while maintaining gentle formulations.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

How do the founding years and corporate ownership of Dr. Althea and Simple compare?

Dr. Althea was founded in South Korea in 2014 and is owned by The Pure Lab Co., Ltd., whereas Simple was founded in the United Kingdom in 1960 and has been owned by Unilever PLC since 2011.

Which brand offers better soothing and calming benefits according to reviewer themes?

According to reviewer themes on this page, Dr. Althea does better than Simple when it comes to soothing and calming benefits.

Dr. Althea or Simple for oily skin?

For oily skin, Dr. Althea has a High routine fit and Simple has a High routine fit, making them equal on this page. Reviewers note that Simple offers lightweight, value-friendly moisturizers, while Dr. Althea features gentle cleansers.

Dr. Althea or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

Both brands offer moisturizers, but reviewers often mention Dr. Althea for soothing and hydrating moisturizers while noting Simple for lightweight, value-friendly ones.

Dr. Althea or Simple for sensitive skin?

Dr. Althea and Simple are both a High fit for sensitive skin according to Lovi. Every product on this page for both brands lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Dr. Althea or Simple for acne-prone skin?

Dr. Althea is the better choice for acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates its routine as Superior compared to High for Simple. Reviewers also note that Dr. Althea offers soothing and calming benefits.

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

How does it fit your skin?

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