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SKIN1004 vs Dr. Althea

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

SKIN1004 and Dr. Althea are Korean skincare brands founded in 2012 and 2014, respectively. The brand from 2012 offers toners, moisturizers, sunscreens, and masks built around centella asiatica, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide to suit oily skin and combination skin best. Conversely, the brand from 2014 is widely loved for its thoughtfully crafted moisturizers, cleansers, makeup removers, and serums featuring gentle, nourishing formulas that suit dry skin and mature skin best. Both brands differ in their formulations and targeted solutions, working harmoniously to support a balanced and healthy complexion through specialized ingredients.

SKIN1004 is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2012 and owned by Goodai Global Inc. since 2024.

mk.co.krpitchbook.comtracxn.comgoodai-global.com

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 SKIN1004 and Dr. Althea products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular SKIN1004 vs Dr. Althea products

People Say

SKIN1004Dr. Althea
  • Hydrating and soothing Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “calmed my angry skin — SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Toning Toner”
    • “Gives my dehydrated skin a moisture surge — SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Watergel Sheet Ampoule Mask”
    • “hydrating but light — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
    • “calms redness — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
  • Clean finish and gentle cleansing 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”
    • “Turns milky immediately and washes off completely. — SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil”
  • Lightweight texture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “sunk in like a dream — SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum”
    • “Texture is on the thinner side... surprisingly lightweight. — SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil”
    • “absorbs like water — SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Toning Toner”
    • “absorbs beautifully — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
  • Exfoliation and smoothing Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Melts instantly — Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm”
    • “faded acne scars — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
    • “skin feels super soft — SKIN1004 Zombie Pack”
  • Pleasant application Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “rich but non-greasy — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
    • “foams up well — Dr. Althea Amino Gel Cleanser”
    • “absorbs quickly — SKIN1004 Probio-Cica Bakuchiol Eye Cream”
  • Lightweight and fast absorption Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “absorbs practically immediately — SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Poremizing Light Gel Cream”
    • “Sinks in instantly — SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Tone Brightening Boosting Toner”
    • “absorbs quickly — Dr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum”
  • Irritation and sensory issues Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “smells like wet dog — SKIN1004 Zombie Pack”
    • “hard to wash off — SKIN1004 Zombie Pack”
    • “smells like plants — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
    • “clinical scent — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
  • Insufficient moisture and hydration Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “not enough for dry skin — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
    • “not enough for dry skin — SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Poremizing Light Gel Cream”
  • Size and pricing complaints Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Price is quite steep — SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Watergel Sheet Ampoule Mask”
    • “wish it came in larger size — SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Poremizing Light Gel Cream”
    • “Pricey for daily use — SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Quick Calming Pad”
    • “Runs out fast — Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm”

SKIN1004 vs Dr. Althea routines for dry skin

Buy Dr. Althea routine · CA$202.71 · 91% fitBuy SKIN1004 routine · CA$123.83 · 86% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

SKIN1004 vs Dr. Althea routines for oily skin

Buy Dr. Althea routine · CA$333.68 · 89% fitBuy SKIN1004 routine · CA$272.21 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

SKIN1004 vs Dr. Althea routines for combination skin

Buy Dr. Althea routine · CA$276.78 · 89% fitBuy SKIN1004 routine · CA$230.22 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

SKIN1004 or Dr. Althea: which is better?

Both brands are great options, as SKIN1004 fits best for dry, oily, and combination skin, while Dr. Althea fits best for dry, mature, and oily skin. Reviewers note that Dr. Althea does better with gentle cleansing and clean finishes, whereas SKIN1004 stands out for its lightweight texture.

What is the difference between SKIN1004 and Dr. Althea?

SKIN1004 is known for lightweight textures across the products on this page, whereas Dr. Althea does better for a clean finish, gentle cleansing, and smoothing. Both brands focus on soothing care, but SKIN1004 offers a slightly broader range of specialized toners and ampoules featuring Centella asiatica and hyaluronic acid.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

SKIN1004 or Dr. Althea for dry skin?

Dr. Althea is a better fit for dry skin, offering a Superior routine fit compared to SKIN1004's High fit level. Reviewers note that Dr. Althea provides soothing and hydrating moisturizers along with gentle cleansers for dry skin types.

SKIN1004 or Dr. Althea: which cleanser is better?

Dr. Althea provides cleaner finish and gentler cleansing than SKIN1004, and its Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser has a Superior fit for oily, combination, acne-prone, and dry skin. Reviewers mostly mention Dr. Althea for gentle cleansers, while SKIN1004 products on this page list no fragrance.

Which is more affordable, SKIN1004 or Dr. Althea?

Review themes mention that SKIN1004 has size and pricing complaints.

Which brand has better texture and finish, SKIN1004 or Dr. Althea?

SKIN1004 does better for lightweight texture, while Dr. Althea does better for a clean finish, gentle cleansing, and pleasant application.

How do the founding years and corporate ownership of SKIN1004 and Dr. Althea compare?

SKIN1004 was founded in South Korea in 2012 and is owned by Goodai Global Inc. since 2024, whereas Dr. Althea was founded there in 2014 and is owned by The Pure Lab Co., Ltd.

Which brand performs better for exfoliation and smoothing, SKIN1004 or Dr. Althea?

Dr. Althea performs better than SKIN1004 for exfoliation and smoothing.

SKIN1004 or Dr. Althea for oily skin?

Both SKIN1004 and Dr. Althea are well suited for oily skin, with Lovi giving both brands a High fit for this skin type. Reviewers note that SKIN1004 offers lightweight textures while Dr. Althea provides gentle cleansers.

SKIN1004 or Dr. Althea: which moisturizer is better?

When comparing moisturizers, Dr. Althea's 345 Relief Cream achieves a Superior routine fit for acne-prone and oily acne-prone skin, while SKIN1004 offers lightweight, soothing moisturizers with no added fragrance across its products on this page.

SKIN1004 or Dr. Althea for sensitive skin?

Both SKIN1004 and Dr. Althea provide a High routine fit for sensitive skin on this page. Reviewers note that SKIN1004 offers lightweight textures, while Dr. Althea is recognized for its gentle cleansers and soothing moisturizers.

SKIN1004 or Dr. Althea for acne-prone skin?

Both SKIN1004 and Dr. Althea offer a High routine fit for acne-prone skin. Reviewers note that the products on this page feature gentle cleansers and soothing 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

How does it fit your skin?

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