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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

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Dr. Althea vs Hada Labo routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Dr. Althea vs Hada Labo routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Dr. Althea or Hada Labo: which is better?

Hada Labo is better for deep hydration and skin brightening, while Dr. Althea provides a gentler, more soothing formula. For dry skin, Lovi rates both brands as having a Superior routine fit.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

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

Hada Labo is better for deep hydration and skin brightening, whereas Dr. Althea offers a more gentle and soothing formula. For dry skin, Lovi rates both brands as having a Superior routine fit, but Hada Labo outperforms Dr. Althea on oily, combination, mature, and dark spot skin types.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

Dr. Althea or Hada Labo for dry skin?

Both Dr. Althea and Hada Labo achieve a Superior Lovi fit level for dry skin. Hada Labo relies on hyaluronic acid to provide deep hydration, while Dr. Althea offers soothing moisturizers and gentle cleansers that help maintain comfort without added fragrance.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

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

Hada Labo is better for hydration as reviewers mostly mention its deep moisturization, while Dr. Althea's 345 Relief Cream achieves a Superior Lovi fit level for acne-prone and oily acne-prone skin.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

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

Neither brand has pricing information provided on this page, but reviewers often mention value and versatility for Hada Labo.

Dr. Althea or Hada Labo: which brand performs better for mature skin?

Hada Labo performs better for mature skin, achieving a Superior routine fit compared to Dr. Althea's High fit level, while also providing deep hydration.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which brand has a lighter and faster-absorbing finish, Dr. Althea or Hada Labo?

Dr. Althea and Hada Labo are considered equal when it comes to a lightweight and fast-absorbing finish.

Dr. Althea or Hada Labo: which is better for reducing dark spots and improving skin texture?

Hada Labo is better for improving skin texture and reducing dark spots, with Lovi rating its routine as Superior for skin with dark spots compared to Dr. Althea's High fit level. Hada Labo features key ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Dr. Althea or Hada Labo for oily skin?

For oily skin, Hada Labo is a better choice as Lovi rates its routine as Superior, whereas Dr. Althea achieves a High fit level.

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

Both Dr. Althea and Hada Labo offer a Superior Lovi fit level for acne-prone skin. Hada Labo focuses on deep hydration and brightening with hyaluronic acid, while Dr. Althea provides gentle, soothing cleansers and moisturizers.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

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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