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Dr. Althea vs Hada Labo

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

Dr. Althea and Hada Labo are celebrated Asian skincare brands that offer thoughtful moisturizers, gentle cleansers, makeup removers, and nourishing serums driven by soothing formulas and advanced science. Both brands suit dry skin and acne-prone skin best, providing balanced hydration and calm comfort to support a healthy skin barrier without clogging pores. While Dr. Althea delivers standout solutions like the Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser, the 345 Relief Cream, and the Vitamin C Boosting Serum, the brand relies on Korean skincare traditions. In contrast, Hada Labo features options such as the Gokujyun Lotion, the Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion, and the Gokujun Premium, applying Japanese formulation to restore essential moisture and address dark spots or mature skin.

Dr. Althea is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2014 and owned by The Pure Lab Co., Ltd..

doctoraltheaglobal.comdoctoralthea.co.kr

Hada Labo is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 2004 and owned by Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd..

en.wikipedia.orghadalabosa.co.zahadalabotokyo.pl

This page compares some of the most popular Dr. Althea and Hada Labo products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Dr. Althea vs Hada Labo products

People Say

Dr. AltheaHada Labo
  • Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin drinks it up — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
    • “Plumps fine lines — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
    • “leaves skin soft, smooth, and hydrated — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
    • “hydrating but light — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
  • Gentle Formula Mostly MentionedOften 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”
    • “never stings my sensitive skin — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
  • 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”
    • “calms my redness — Hada Labo Premium Whitening Lotion (Light)”
  • Lightweight and Fast Absorbing Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “absorbs beautifully — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
    • “absorbs quickly — Dr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum”
    • “absorbs super quickly — Hada Labo Premium Whitening Lotion (Light)”
    • “absorbs super quickly — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
  • Skin Texture and Brightening Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “faded considerably — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
    • “Makes my skin plump and hydrating. — Hada Labo Gokujyun Perfect Gel”
    • “faded my PIH considerably — Hada Labo Premium Whitening Lotion (Light)”
    • “faded dark spots — Dr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum”
  • Pleasant Texture Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “rich but non-greasy — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
    • “Melts instantly — Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm”
    • “foams up well — Dr. Althea Amino Gel Cleanser”
    • “Thick serum-like — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
  • Sticky or Tacky Finish Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “leaves a tacky film — Dr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum”
    • “Tacky residue — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
  • Causes Breakouts and Clogging Sometimes NotedOften 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”
    • “gave me tiny bumps — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
  • Insufficient Moisture Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “not enough for dry skin — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
    • “not enough for dry patches — Hada Labo Premium Whitening Lotion (Light)”

Dr. Althea vs Hada Labo routines for dry skin

Buy Hada Labo routine · $158.72 · 99% fitBuy Dr. Althea routine · $144.68 · 91% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Dr. Althea vs Hada Labo routines for oily skin

Buy Hada Labo routine · $332.14 · 95% fitBuy Dr. Althea routine · $296.69 · 90% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Dr. Althea vs Hada Labo routines for combination skin

Buy Hada Labo routine · $313.73 · 94% fitBuy Dr. Althea routine · $276.17 · 89% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

Dr. Althea or Hada Labo: which is better?

Both brands are a strong choice, as they offer fragrance-free products and share a Superior routine fit for dry, acne-prone, oily, mature, and oily acne-prone skin. Hada Labo excels particularly in deep hydration and dark spot reduction, featuring key ingredients like hyaluronic acid, while Dr. Althea is noted for its gentle, soothing formulas.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

What is the difference between Dr. Althea and Hada Labo?

Dr. Althea and Hada Labo both fit dry, acne-prone, and oily skin at a Superior level, but Hada Labo achieves a Superior routine fit for combination skin and skin with dark spots where Dr. Althea reaches a High level. Reviewers often mention Hada Labo for deep hydration and brightening, while Dr. Althea is noted more for gentle and soothing formulations.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Dr. Althea or Hada Labo for dry skin?

Both brands offer a Superior routine fit for dry skin. Reviewers note that Hada Labo excels in deep hydration, while Dr. Althea provides soothing moisturizers.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Dr. Althea or Hada Labo: which moisturizer is better?

Both Dr. Althea and Hada Labo offer effective moisturizers, with Dr. Althea featuring soothing formulas like the 345 Relief Cream and Hada Labo providing deep hydration through options like the Gokujyun Perfect Gel. Reviewers note that Hada Labo excels in deep hydration, while Dr. Althea is favored for its gentle, soothing properties.

Which is more affordable, Dr. Althea or Hada Labo?

Both Dr. Althea and Hada Labo are not directly compared for affordability on this page, though reviewers often mention value and versatility for Hada Labo.

Which brand is better for a gentle formula, Dr. Althea or Hada Labo?

Dr. Althea does better than Hada Labo for a gentle formula. Reviewers mostly mention Dr. Althea for its gentle cleansers, and every product on this page for both brands lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Dr. Althea or Hada Labo for oily skin?

Both Dr. Althea and Hada Labo provide a Superior routine fit for oily skin. Reviewers note that Dr. Althea delivers a gentle and soothing formula, while Hada Labo offers deep hydration.

Dr. Althea or Hada Labo for acne-prone skin?

Both Dr. Althea and Hada Labo provide a Superior routine fit for acne-prone skin. Reviewers note that Hada Labo delivers deep hydration and brightening, while Dr. Althea offers gentle and soothing cleansers.

Dr. Althea or Hada Labo for combination skin?

Hada Labo is better for combination skin because Lovi rates its routine as Superior, while Dr. Althea has a High routine fit level.

Dr. Althea or Hada Labo for skin with dark spots?

Hada Labo is a better choice than Dr. Althea for skin with dark spots because Lovi rates its routine as Superior for this skin type, compared to High for Dr. Althea. Reviewers also note that Hada Labo excels in brightening and dark spot reduction.

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

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