Dr. Althea vs Some By Mi
Dr. Althea and Some By Mi are popular Korean skincare brands that offer thoughtful moisturizers, gentle cleansers, nourishing serums, and effective toners. Dr. Althea features soothing formulas with ingredients suited best for dry skin and acne-prone skin, while the other brand utilizes niacinamide, centella asiatica, and salicylic acid to fit sensitive skin and skin with dark spots best. These brands differ in their core ingredient approaches, giving users reliable paths to healthier skin.
Dr. Althea is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2014 and owned by The Pure Lab Co., Ltd..
doctoraltheaglobal.comdoctoralthea.co.kr
Some By Mi is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2016 and owned by JKL Partners since 2021.
kedglobal.compreqin.comtracxn.com
This page compares some of the most popular Dr. Althea and Some By Mi products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Dr. Althea vs Some By Mi products
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AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner
€5.70
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Retinol Intense Reactivating Serum
€28.85
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AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Acne Clear Foam
€14.90
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AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum
€33.50
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Retinol Intense Advanced Triple Action Eye Cream
€16.30
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Super Matcha Pore Clean Clay Mask
€16.79
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Beta Panthenol Repair Cream
€15.78
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Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream
€13.67
People Say
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”
- “Zero irritation or redness — Some By Mi Retinol Intense Reactivating Serum”
Soothing and Calming Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
- “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”
- “Calmed my retinol burn overnight — Some By Mi Beta Panthenol Repair Cream”
Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “hydrating but light — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
- “consistently hydrated mornings — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
- “Lasts 100 hours as claimed — Some By Mi Beta Panthenol Repair Cream”
- “Absorbs quickly — Some By Mi Galactomyces Pure Vitamin C Glow Serum”
Lightweight and Fast Absorbing Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “absorbs beautifully — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
- “absorbs quickly — Dr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum”
- “absorbs quickly — Some By Mi Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream”
- “absorbs quickly — Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Serum”
Skin Texture Improvement Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “Skin became smoother — Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner”
- “Skin feels baby soft — Some By Mi Retinol Intense Reactivating Serum”
- “skin feels baby soft — Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum”
- “Melts instantly — Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm”
Brightening and Evening Skin Tone Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “Fades dark spots — Some By Mi Galactomyces Pure Vitamin C Glow Serum”
- “skin looks visibly brighter — Some By Mi Yuja Niacin Anti Blemish Serum”
- “brightens dull skin — Some By Mi Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream”
- “faded dark spots — Dr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum”
Scent and Fragrance Dislike Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “smells like plants — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
- “clinical scent — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
- “prominent acidic hint — Dr. Althea Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser”
- “overwhelming citrus fragrance — Some By Mi V10 Hyal Air Fit Sunscreen”
Insufficient Hydration or Dryness Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “not enough for dry skin — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
- “drying on my hands and face — Dr. Althea Amino Gel Cleanser”
- “not moisturizing enough — Some By Mi Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream”
Breakouts and Purging Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “broke me out — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
- “gave me cystic acne — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
- “Zits appeared initially — Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner”
- “gave me cystic acne — Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum”
Dr. Althea vs Some By Mi routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€16.00
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Hydrating Toner
Dear, Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner
Morning
€12.59
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Moisturizer
345 Relief Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€18.53
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SPF
Australian Gold Botanical Lotion SPF 30
Morning
€21.04
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Pre-Cleanser
Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
€15.00
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Serum or Treatment
Vitamin C Boosting Serum
Evening · Once a week
€14.29
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Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
€19.00
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Cleanser
Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Low pH Gel Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€16.90
-
Hydrating Toner
Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning
€16.59
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Moisturizer
Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€13.67
-
SPF
V10 Hyal Air Fit Sunscreen
Morning
€16.90
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
€10.97
-
Serum or Treatment
Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Serum
Evening · Once a week
€21.90
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
€19.00
Dr. Althea vs Some By Mi routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€16.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
€16.59
-
Moisturizer
345 Relief Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€18.53
-
SPF
make p:rem UV Defense Me Blue Ray Sun Cream
Morning
€32.80
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Pre-Cleanser
Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
€15.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Toner
Evening
€16.90
-
Serum or Treatment
Vitamin C Boosting Serum
Evening · Once a week
€14.29
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Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€48.55
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Cleansing Mask
Dr. Sebagh Deep Exfoliating Mask
Once a week
€81.80
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Cleanser
Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Low pH Gel Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€16.90
-
Hydrating Toner
Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
€16.59
-
Moisturizer
Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€13.67
-
SPF
V10 Hyal Air Fit Sunscreen
Morning
€16.90
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€104.00
-
Cleansing Toner
AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner
Evening
€5.70
-
Serum or Treatment
AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum
Evening · Once a week
€33.50
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€48.55
-
Cleansing Mask
Super Matcha Pore Clean Clay Mask
Once a week
€16.79
Dr. Althea vs Some By Mi routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€16.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
€36.00
-
Moisturizer
345 Relief Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€18.53
-
Pre-Cleanser
Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
€15.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
€16.98
-
Serum or Treatment
Vitamin C Boosting Serum
Evening · Once a week
€14.29
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€48.55
-
Cleansing Mask
Origins Original Skin Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay
Once a week
€28.50
-
Cleanser
Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Low pH Gel Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€16.90
-
Hydrating Toner
Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
€16.59
-
Moisturizer
Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€13.67
-
SPF
V10 Hyal Air Fit Sunscreen
Morning
€16.90
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€104.00
-
Cleansing Toner
AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner
Evening
€5.70
-
Serum or Treatment
AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum
Evening · Once a week
€33.50
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€48.55
-
Cleansing Mask
Super Matcha Pore Clean Clay Mask
Once a week
€16.79
Questions and answers
Dr. Althea or Some By Mi: which is better?
Dr. Althea and Some By Mi both have a high routine fit overall, with Dr. Althea outperforming for acne-prone skin and Some By Mi doing better for sensitive skin and dark spots. Reviewers report that Dr. Althea provides a gentler formula, while Some By Mi excels at skin texture improvement and brightening.
What is the difference between Dr. Althea and Some By Mi?
Dr. Althea provides a gentler, more soothing formula that fits acne-prone skin best, whereas Some By Mi excels at skin texture improvement and brightening with key ingredients like Niacinamide. Both brands offer an equal routine fit for dry, oily, combination, mature, and oily acne-prone skin.
Dr. Althea or Some By Mi for dry skin?
Both brands offer an equal fit for dry skin, as Lovi rates the routine fit for dry skin as Superior for both Dr. Althea and Some By Mi. Reviewers note that both brands provide effective hydration and moisture.
Dr. Althea or Some By Mi: which cleanser is better?
Dr. Althea tends to be better for cleansers since reviewers mostly mention gentle and soothing cleansers with a High to Superior Lovi fit level across skin types, whereas Some By Mi cleansers can sometimes cause drying or stripping effects.
Which is more affordable, Dr. Althea or Some By Mi?
The provided page facts do not contain pricing information, so a comparison of affordability between Dr. Althea and Some By Mi cannot be made.
Between Dr. Althea and Some By Mi, which brand is better for improving skin texture and brightening skin tone?
Some By Mi is better for improving skin texture and brightening skin tone, as the review themes on this page show it does better in skin texture improvement and brightening. Niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation, while retinol is shown to improve naturally aged skin.
Do Dr. Althea and Some By Mi products contain artificial fragrance?
Every product on this page for both Dr. Althea and Some By Mi lists no fragrance in its ingredients.
Which brand performs better for soothing and calming the skin?
Dr. Althea performs better for soothing and calming the skin. Reviewers note it as a top choice for gentle formulas and soothing care.
Dr. Althea or Some By Mi for oily skin?
Both Dr. Althea and Some By Mi are well suited for oily skin, with Lovi rating both brands as having a High routine fit level for this skin type. Some By Mi products often feature ingredients like niacinamide that help regulate sebum, while Dr. Althea focuses on gentle, soothing hydration.
Dr. Althea or Some By Mi: which moisturizer is better?
Both brands offer solid moisturizers, with Dr. Althea featuring products like the 345 Relief Cream and Barrier Cream, while Some By Mi offers options such as the Beta Panthenol Repair Cream and Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream. For dry skin, both brands achieve a Superior or High routine fit depending on the specific product.
Dr. Althea or Some By Mi for sensitive skin?
For sensitive skin, Some By Mi achieves a Superior Lovi fit level, whereas Dr. Althea reaches a High Lovi fit level. Reviewers note that Some By Mi offers gentle and lightweight serums, while Dr. Althea features gentle cleansers and soothing moisturizers.
Dr. Althea or Some By Mi for acne-prone skin?
For acne-prone skin, Dr. Althea has a Superior routine fit, while Some By Mi has a High routine fit. Both brands list no fragrance in their products on this page.
Research behind their key ingredients
The effect of niacinamide on reducing cutaneous pigmentation and suppression of melanosome transfer
Topical menthol--a human model for cold pain by activation and sensitization of C nociceptors
Molecular basis of retinol anti-ageing properties in naturally aged human skin in vivo
Topical palmitoyl pentapeptide provides improvement in photoaged human facial skin
HelixComplex snail mucus as a potential technology against O3 induced skin damage
Vitamin C-squalene bioconjugate promotes epidermal thickening and collagen production in human skin
Ethosomes of Phenylethyl Resorcinol as Vesicular Delivery System for Skin Lightening Applications
The use of green tea extract in cosmetic formulations: not only an antioxidant active ingredient
A comparative study of gluconolactone versus benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of acne
Allergy to oxidized limonene and linalool is frequent in the U.K
The anti wrinkle efficacy of synthetic hexapeptide (Argireline) in Chinese Subjects
Development and efficacy assessments of tea seed oil makeup remover
Effects of fermented tea seed oil on the skin lipid barrier and microbiome of sensitive skin
Retrospective Review of Dermal Safety Studies of Organic Sunscreens
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
-

Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-

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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