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Dr. Althea vs Clinique

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

Dr. Althea and Clinique are renowned skincare brands offering thoughtfully crafted moisturizers, serums, and makeup removers designed to support diverse complexions. While the Korean brand relies on soothing formulas with standout solutions like the 345 Relief Cream to suit dry and acne-prone skin best, the American brand incorporates hydrating hyaluronic acid, nourishing glycerin, and invigorating caffeine to suit dry sensitive and oily skin best. Although both provide targeted options for concerns like dark spots and mature skin, they differ in their origin, founding eras, and foundational ingredients.

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

doctoraltheaglobal.comdoctoralthea.co.kr

Clinique is an American skincare brand founded in 1968 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc..

en.wikipedia.orgelcompanies.combusinesswire.comglossy.co

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

Popular Dr. Althea vs Clinique products

People Say

Dr. AltheaClinique
  • Soothing and Gentle Formulas 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”
    • “never irritated my eyes — Clinique All About Eyes”
  • Texture and Lightweight Feel Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “absorbs beautifully — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
    • “rich but non-greasy — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
    • “Melts instantly — Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm”
    • “sinks in immediately — Clinique moisture surge”
  • Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “hydrating but light — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
    • “consistently hydrated mornings — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
    • “Keeps my dry patches at bay all day — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
    • “skin feels soft and smooth — Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask”
  • Skin Texture and Tone Improvement Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “faded dark spots — Dr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum”
    • “faded acne scars — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
    • “skin feels silky smooth — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
    • “gentle enough for everyday — Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula”
  • Cleansing and Makeup Removal Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Removes sunscreen well — Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm”
    • “great for morning routine — Dr. Althea Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser”
    • “Melts waterproof mascara — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “squeaky clean — Clinique all about clean”
  • Makeup Compatibility and Base Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “foundation glides on — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “holds concealer in place — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “perfect primer base — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
  • Expensive Price Point Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “a bit pricey — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
    • “jar is too small for the cost — Clinique moisture surge”
  • Scent and Irritation Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “smells like plants — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
    • “clinical scent — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
    • “Smells like nail polish remover — Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2”
    • “Made my skin super dry — Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2”
  • Causes Breakouts Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “broke me out — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
    • “gave me cystic acne — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
    • “Woke up with whiteheads on my chin — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
    • “gave me tiny bumps — Clinique moisture surge”

Dr. Althea vs Clinique routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Dr. Althea vs Clinique routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Dr. Althea vs Clinique routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Dr. Althea or Clinique: which is better?

Dr. Althea is better for dry, acne-prone, and combination skin, as Lovi rates its routines as superior or higher than Clinique's for those types. Both brands offer equal routine fit levels for oily, sensitive, mature, skin with dark spots, dry sensitive, and oily acne-prone skin.

What is the difference between Dr. Althea and Clinique?

Dr. Althea offers a higher routine fit for dry skin, acne-prone skin, combination skin, and skin with dark spots, whereas Clinique matches its routine fit for oily skin, sensitive skin, mature skin, dry sensitive skin, and oily acne-prone skin. Reviewers note that Dr. Althea provides better soothing, gentle formulas and texture, while Clinique stands out for makeup compatibility and base, though Clinique is often mentioned for having a high price point.

Dr. Althea or Clinique for dry skin?

For dry skin, Dr. Althea is the better choice because Lovi rates its routine as Superior, whereas Clinique's routine is Average.

Dr. Althea or Clinique: which cleanser is better?

Dr. Althea performs better for cleansers on the products on this page, as its Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser achieves a Superior fit level for oily, combination, acne-prone, and dry skin.

Which is more affordable, Dr. Althea or Clinique?

Clinique is more affordable, whereas Dr. Althea has a more expensive price point among the products on this page.

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

Both Dr. Althea and Clinique feature products on this page that list no fragrance in their ingredients.

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

For mature skin, both Dr. Althea and Clinique are good options, as Lovi rates both brands at a high fit level for this skin type. Reviewers note that Dr. Althea provides soothing and gentle formulas, while Clinique offers lightweight and fast-absorbing moisturizers.

What are the founding years and parent companies of Dr. Althea and Clinique?

Dr. Althea was founded in 2014 and is owned by The Pure Lab Co., Ltd., while Clinique was founded in 1968 and is owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.

Dr. Althea or Clinique for oily skin?

For oily skin, both Dr. Althea and Clinique are good options because Lovi gives both brands a High fit level for this skin type. Reviewers note that Clinique offers oil-controlling and smoothing moisturizers, while Dr. Althea focuses on soothing and gentle formulas.

Dr. Althea or Clinique: which moisturizer is better?

Dr. Althea helps dry skin better than Clinique, as Lovi rates Dr. Althea's routine fit for dry skin as Superior and Clinique's as Average. The products on this page from Dr. Althea are noted for providing soothing and hydrating moisturizers.

Dr. Althea or Clinique for sensitive skin?

Both Dr. Althea and Clinique are good options for sensitive skin, as Lovi rates both brands high for this skin type. Reviewers also mention that both brands offer gentle and effective cleansers, while every product on this page for both brands lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Dr. Althea or Clinique for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, Dr. Althea works better because Lovi gives the brand a Superior routine fit compared to an Average fit for Clinique.

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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