Dr. Althea vs Galderma
Dr. Althea and Galderma are skincare brands that offer distinct approaches to complexion care, with the former originating in Korea in 2014 and the latter established in Switzerland in 1981. Dr. Althea specializes in soothing moisturizers, gentle cleansers, effective makeup removers, and nourishing serums featuring key ingredients, whereas Galderma focuses on specialized serums. While the Korean line suits dry skin and acne-prone skin best with balanced hydration, the Swiss brand fits oily skin and acne-prone skin best through targeted treatments. Ultimately, they differ in their product types, ingredient philosophies, and ideal skin profiles, allowing both to serve varied skincare needs.
Dr. Althea is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2014 and owned by The Pure Lab Co., Ltd..
doctoraltheaglobal.comdoctoralthea.co.kr
Galderma is a Swiss skincare brand founded in 1981 and owned by Galderma Group AG.
This page compares some of the most popular Dr. Althea and Galderma products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
People Say
Gentle Formula 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”
- “didn't burn my face — Galderma Benzac AC Mild Strength 2.5% Acne Gel”
Acne Clearance and Prevention Not notedMostly Mentioned
- “cleared up my skin — Galderma Benzac AC Mild Strength 2.5% Acne Gel”
- “cystic acne gone — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
- “stops new pimples — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
Lightweight and Pleasant Texture Mostly MentionedNot noted
- “absorbs beautifully — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
- “rich but non-greasy — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
- “Melts instantly — Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm”
Soothing and Calming Mostly MentionedNot 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”
Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedNot noted
- “hydrating but light — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
- “consistently hydrated mornings — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
- “feels hydrated — Dr. Althea Amino Gel Cleanser”
Skin Texture Improvement Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
- “skin feels smooth — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
- “faded acne scars — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
Severe Burning and Dryness Not notedMostly Mentioned
- “face on fire — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
Causes Breakouts and Purging Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
- “broke me out — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
- “gave me cystic acne — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
- “broke me out badly — Dr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum”
- “got worse first — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
Redness and Irritation Not notedMostly Mentioned
- “red as tomato — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
Bleaches Fabrics Not notedMostly Mentioned
- “bleached my towel — Galderma Benzac AC 5”
Dr. Althea vs Galderma routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$15.90
-
Hydrating Toner
Pyunkang Yul Calming Deep Moisture Toner
Morning
$16.99
-
Moisturizer
345 Relief Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$27.00
-
SPF
d'Alba Piedmont Waterfull Mild Sunscreen
Morning
$15.99
-
Pre-Cleanser
Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
$22.90
-
Serum or Treatment
Vitamin C Boosting Serum
Evening · Once a week
$23.90
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
$22.00
-
Cleanser
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$19.99
-
Hydrating Toner
Pyunkang Yul Calming Deep Moisture Toner
Morning
$16.99
-
Moisturizer
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Enrich Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$22.00
-
SPF
d'Alba Piedmont Waterfull Mild Sunscreen
Morning
$15.99
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
$21.70
-
Serum or Treatment
Epiduo Gel
Evening · Once a week
$34.97
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Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
$22.00
Buy Dr. Althea routine · $144.68 · 91% fit
Buy Galderma routine · $153.64 · 90% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit
Dr. Althea vs Galderma routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$15.97
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
$15.60
-
Moisturizer
COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$18.99
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
$14.97
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
$50.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Pixi Glow Tonic
Evening
$28.42
-
Serum or Treatment
Epiduo Gel
Evening · Once a week
$34.97
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
$69.00
-
Cleansing Mask
Revision Skincare Black Mask
Once a week
$79.00
-
Cleanser
Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$15.90
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
$15.60
-
Moisturizer
345 Relief Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$27.00
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
$14.97
-
Pre-Cleanser
Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
$22.90
-
Cleansing Toner
Pixi Glow Tonic
Evening
$28.42
-
Serum or Treatment
Vitamin C Boosting Serum
Evening · Once a week
$23.90
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
$69.00
-
Cleansing Mask
Revision Skincare Black Mask
Once a week
$79.00
Buy Galderma routine · $326.92 · 96% fit
Buy Dr. Althea routine · $296.69 · 90% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit
Dr. Althea vs Galderma routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$28.08
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
$25.60
-
Moisturizer
COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$18.99
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
$14.97
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
$50.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
$18.90
-
Serum or Treatment
Epiduo Gel
Evening · Once a week
$34.97
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
$69.00
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
$58.00
-
Cleanser
Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$15.90
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
$25.60
-
Moisturizer
345 Relief Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$27.00
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
$14.97
-
Pre-Cleanser
Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
$22.90
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
$18.90
-
Serum or Treatment
Vitamin C Boosting Serum
Evening · Once a week
$23.90
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
$69.00
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
$58.00
Buy Galderma routine · $318.51 · 94% fit
Buy Dr. Althea routine · $276.17 · 89% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Questions and answers
Dr. Althea or Galderma: which is better?
Dr. Althea and Galderma both offer a Superior routine fit for acne-prone skin, but Dr. Althea is better for general hydration and gentle formulas while Galderma focuses on effective acne-clearing serums.
What is the difference between Dr. Althea and Galderma?
Dr. Althea provides gentle, soothing, and hydrating formulas with a High to Superior Lovi fit for dry, sensitive, and mature skin, whereas Galderma specializes in effective acne-clearing serums that have a High Lovi fit for oily and acne-prone skin.
Dr. Althea or Galderma for dry skin?
Both brands achieve a Superior routine fit for dry skin. However, Dr. Althea features hydrating moisturizers and gentle cleansers, whereas Galderma reviewers sometimes note severe dryness and peeling.
Which is more affordable, Dr. Althea or Galderma?
The provided page and study materials do not contain pricing information to determine whether Dr. Althea or Galderma is more affordable.
Between Dr. Althea and Galderma, which brand is better suited for mature skin?
Dr. Althea has a Superior routine fit for mature skin, whereas Galderma has a High fit level for this skin type.
How do Dr. Althea and Galderma compare when it comes to fragrance in their products?
When it comes to fragrance, every product on this page for both Dr. Althea and Galderma lists no fragrance in its ingredients.
Which brand performs better for combination skin according to the routine fits?
Galderma performs better for combination skin, achieving a Superior routine fit compared to Dr. Althea, which has a High routine fit.
Dr. Althea or Galderma for oily skin?
Both Dr. Althea and Galderma achieve a Superior Lovi fit level for oily skin. Dr. Althea features gentle cleansers and soothing moisturizers, whereas Galderma offers effective acne-clearing serums.
Dr. Althea or Galderma for sensitive skin?
For sensitive skin, both Dr. Althea and Galderma have a High Lovi fit level. Reviewers note that Dr. Althea offers gentle cleansers and soothing moisturizers, while Galderma provides effective acne-clearing serums.
Dr. Althea or Galderma for acne-prone skin?
Both brands achieve a Superior Lovi fit level for acne-prone skin. Galderma is noted for effective acne-clearing serums, while Dr. Althea provides gentle and soothing cleansers and 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.
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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
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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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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