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COSRX vs Dr. Althea

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

COSRX and Dr. Althea are two popular Korean skincare brands offering thoughtful arrays of serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and masks. The former brand utilizes trusted ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide to suit oily and acne-prone skin best, while the latter brand features gentle, nourishing formulas that suit dry and mature skin best. Both brands provide standout solutions for specific concerns, yet they differ in their primary active components and the skin types they target most effectively.

COSRX is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2013 and owned by Amorepacific Group since 2024.

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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 COSRX and Dr. Althea products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular COSRX vs Dr. Althea products

People Say

COSRXDr. Althea
  • Soothing and calming 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”
    • “great for sensitive skin — Dr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum”
    • “No stinging or irritation — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
  • Texture and skin smoothing Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “absorbs instantly like water — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
    • “sinks in immediately — COSRX Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream”
    • “absorbs beautifully — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
    • “rich but non-greasy — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
  • Value, barrier, and additional benefits Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “dark skin friendly — COSRX Ultra-Light Invisible Sunscreen”
    • “doesn't strip my skin — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
    • “strengthened my skin barrier — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
    • “Innovative dial mechanism — Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm”
  • Deep hydration and moisturization Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “skin drinks it up — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “woke up with soft, supple skin — COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream”
    • “gives a healthy glow — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
    • “consistently hydrated mornings — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
  • Acne and pore control Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “extremely gentle — COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner”
    • “helped to improve my acne after only 2 weeks — COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser”
    • “cleared up my spots — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
    • “hydrating but light — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
  • Cleansing and lather Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “foam is rich and creamy — Dr. Althea Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser”
    • “Removes sunscreen well — Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm”
    • “great for morning routine — Dr. Althea Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser”
    • “removes all the oil — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
  • Packaging and size limitations Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Runs out fast — Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm”
    • “Hard to see remaining amount — Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm”
    • “bottle goes fast — Dr. Althea Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser”
    • “only 20mls... significantly less product — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”
  • Sticky or heavy finish Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “texture is gooey and stringy — COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream”
    • “Leaves a sticky film — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “too nourishing for combo skin — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
    • “left a moisturizing film — Dr. Althea Amino Gel Cleanser”
  • Caused breakouts and skin irritation Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “too slimy and sticky — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “burned my skin — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “broke me out — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
    • “gave me cystic acne — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”

COSRX vs Dr. Althea routines for dry skin

Buy COSRX routine · CA$218.38 · 91% fitBuy Dr. Althea routine · CA$202.71 · 91% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

COSRX vs Dr. Althea routines for oily skin

Buy COSRX routine · CA$288.29 · 92% fitBuy Dr. Althea routine · CA$333.68 · 89% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

COSRX vs Dr. Althea routines for combination skin

Buy COSRX routine · CA$271.24 · 91% fitBuy Dr. Althea routine · CA$276.78 · 89% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

COSRX or Dr. Althea: which is better?

Both brands are effective, but COSRX is a better fit for deep hydration, acne control, and oily skin with a routine fit level of Superior, while Dr. Althea is a better fit for mature skin and soothing sensitive skin with a routine fit level of Superior.

What is the difference between COSRX and Dr. Althea?

COSRX tends to do better for deep hydration, moisturization, acne, and pore control, while Dr. Althea tends to do better for soothing and calming sensitive skin, as well as cleansing and lather. For dry skin, the products on this page show that both brands achieve a Superior routine fit.

COSRX or Dr. Althea for dry skin?

Both COSRX and Dr. Althea provide a Superior routine fit for dry skin, with COSRX offering exceptional deep hydration while Dr. Althea features soothing moisturizers and gentle cleansers. The products on this page for both brands help deliver reliable moisture and barrier care for dry complexions.

COSRX or Dr. Althea: which cleanser is better?

For cleansers, Dr. Althea does better on cleansing and lather, with reviewers mostly mentioning gentle and soothing cleansers. COSRX also offers strong options, such as the Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser which is rated Superior for sensitive, acne-prone, dry, and combination skin.

Which is more affordable, COSRX or Dr. Althea?

This page does not provide pricing information or compare the affordability of COSRX and Dr. Althea.

COSRX or Dr. Althea: which is better for mature skin?

Dr. Althea provides a Superior routine fit for mature skin, whereas COSRX achieves a High routine fit on this page. Reviewers report that Dr. Althea does better with soothing and calming sensitive skin, while COSRX is noted for deep hydration and moisturization.

Which brand has more fragrance-free products, COSRX or Dr. Althea?

COSRX has more fragrance-free products on this page, with 37 out of 38 products listing no fragrance compared to every product by Dr. Althea.

COSRX or Dr. Althea: which provides better deep hydration and moisturization?

COSRX provides better deep hydration and moisturization compared to Dr. Althea.

COSRX or Dr. Althea for oily skin?

COSRX is a better fit for oily skin, rating Superior on Lovi compared to Dr. Althea at High. The products on this page for COSRX feature dedicated options like the Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion and BHA Blackhead Power Liquid that help control oil and clear acne.

COSRX or Dr. Althea: which moisturizer is better?

COSRX offers superior deep hydration and moisturization compared to Dr. Althea, whose moisturizers are noted for being soothing. For dry skin, Lovi rates both brands at a Superior fit level for their routines.

COSRX or Dr. Althea for sensitive skin?

COSRX is a better fit for sensitive skin, offering a Superior routine compared to Dr. Althea's High level. COSRX products on this page frequently provide gentle care, with 37 of 38 formulas listing no fragrance.

COSRX or Dr. Althea for acne-prone skin?

COSRX is the better choice for acne-prone skin because the products on this page have a Superior routine fit for this skin type compared to Dr. Althea's High fit level.

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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