Dr. Althea vs Avène
Dr. Althea and Avène are skincare brands known for gentle moisturizers, cleansers, and serums, with the former featuring nourishing formulas and the latter utilizing glycerin. The Korean brand suits dry and mature skin best with soothing hydration, while the French brand suits oily, acne-prone, and combination skin best. Both offer targeted solutions for specific concerns, yet they differ in their foundational ingredients and regional origins.
Dr. Althea is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2014 and owned by The Pure Lab Co., Ltd..
doctoraltheaglobal.comdoctoralthea.co.kr
Avène is a French skincare brand founded in 1990 and owned by Fondation Pierre Fabre.
pierre-fabre.comavene.co.ukaveneusa.com
This page compares some of the most popular Dr. Althea and Avène products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Dr. Althea vs Avène products
People Say
Gentle Formula 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”
- “leaves face clean but not dry — Avène Cleanance”
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 angry red skin overnight — Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream”
Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “hydrating but light — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
- “consistently hydrated mornings — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
- “Restores moisture barrier — Avène Cold Cream”
- “Leaves my skin feeling soft and hydrated. — Avène Milk Cleanser”
Lightweight and Fast Absorbing Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “absorbs beautifully — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
- “absorbs quickly — Dr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum”
- “absorbs very quickly — Avène Vitamin Activ Cg Radiance Concentrated Serum”
- “Absorbs into skin without residue. — Avène Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm”
Pleasant Texture Often MentionedRarely 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 but absorbs well eventually — Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream”
Repairs Skin Barrier Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “strengthened my skin barrier — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
- “Healed my over-exfoliated skin in days — Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream”
- “This repairs my skin barrier without fail. — Avène Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm”
Unpleasant Scent Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “clinical scent — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
- “prominent acidic hint — Dr. Althea Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser”
- “smells a bit odd — Dr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum”
- “The fragrance is very present. — Avène Milk Cleanser”
Causes Breakouts Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “broke me out — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
- “gave me cystic acne — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
- “Woke up with tiny whiteheads all over — Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream”
- “Caused small bumps/texture — Avène Soothing Radiance Mask”
Dr. Althea vs Avène routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€11.25
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Advanced Replenishing Toner
Morning
€34.00
-
Moisturizer
345 Relief Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€9.99
-
SPF
Purito Daily Soft Touch Sunscreen
Morning
€12.98
-
Pre-Cleanser
Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
€15.00
-
Serum or Treatment
Vitamin C Boosting Serum
Evening · Once a week
€19.50
-
Nourishing Mask
Abib Rice Probiotics Overnight Mask
Once a week
€15.30
-
Cleanser
Cleanance Cleansing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€18.75
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Advanced Replenishing Toner
Morning
€34.00
-
Moisturizer
Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€12.39
-
SPF
Ultra Fluid
Morning
€19.85
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
€10.97
-
Serum or Treatment
Antirougeurs Fort Relief Concentrate
Evening · Once a week
€24.99
-
Nourishing Mask
Abib Rice Probiotics Overnight Mask
Once a week
€15.30
Dr. Althea vs Avène routines for oily skin
-
Cleanser
Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€11.25
-
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
€9.99
-
SPF
d'Alba UVessence Mild Waterfull Sun Cream SPF 50
Morning
€16.99
-
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
€19.50
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€48.55
-
Cleansing Mask
VT Cosmetics Cica Purifying Mask
Once a week
€16.79
-
Cleanser
Cleanance Cleansing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€18.75
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
€36.00
-
Moisturizer
Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€12.39
-
SPF
Cleanance
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€15.19
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€97.52
-
Cleansing Toner
Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Toner
Evening
€16.90
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€48.55
-
Cleansing Mask
VT Cosmetics Cica Purifying Mask
Once a week
€16.79
Dr. Althea vs Avène routines for combination skin
-
Cleanser
Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€11.25
-
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
€9.99
-
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
€19.50
-
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
Cleanance Cleansing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€18.75
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
€36.00
-
Moisturizer
Hyaluron Activ B3 Concentrated Plumping Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€37.99
-
SPF
Cleanance
Morning
€15.19
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€97.52
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
€16.98
-
Serum or Treatment
Vitamin Activ Cg Radiance Concentrated Serum
Evening · Once a week
€33.99
-
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
Questions and answers
Dr. Althea or Avène: which is better?
Dr. Althea achieves a High routine fit for dry and dry sensitive skin, whereas Avène reaches an Average fit for those skin types. Every product on the Dr. Althea page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, while several Avène products contain fragrance.
What is the difference between Dr. Althea and Avène?
Dr. Althea fits dry skin and dry sensitive skin with High routine levels, while Avène has Average routine levels for those skin types on this page. Reviewers report that every Dr. Althea product on this page lists no fragrance, whereas 7 of 15 Avène products on this page list fragrance.
Dr. Althea or Avène for dry skin?
For dry skin, Dr. Althea achieves a High routine fit level, whereas Avène reaches an Average routine fit level on this page. Reviewers report that the products on this page for Dr. Althea are particularly noted for providing gentle and soothing moisturization.
Dr. Althea or Avène: which cleanser is better?
When it comes to cleansers, Dr. Althea achieves a High to Superior Lovi fit level across a wide range of skin types, including dry, sensitive, oily, and acne-prone skin, while every product on its page lists no fragrance. Avène also offers well-regarded cleansers like its Cleanance Cleansing Gel, but some of its cleansers may carry fragrance or receive lower fit levels for dry and sensitive skin.
Which is more affordable, Dr. Althea or Avène?
The products on this page do not list pricing information, so a direct comparison of affordability between Dr. Althea and Avène cannot be made from the provided page facts.
Between Dr. Althea and Avène, which brand's products are completely free of fragrance according to their page?
Dr. Althea products are completely free of fragrance, as every product on its page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, while Avène includes fragrance in several of its products on this page.
How do the founding years and home countries of Dr. Althea and Avène compare?
Dr. Althea was founded in 2014 in South Korea, whereas Avène was established earlier in 1990 in France.
Which brand performs better for dry sensitive skin based on their routine fit?
For dry sensitive skin, Dr. Althea performs better with a High routine fit compared to Avène which has an Average routine fit.
Dr. Althea or Avène for oily skin?
Both Dr. Althea and Avène fit oily skin at a High level on this page. Reviewers report that the products on this page help with oil control for Avène and offer gentle cleansing for Dr. Althea.
Dr. Althea or Avène: which moisturizer is better?
For dry sensitive skin, Dr. Althea provides a High Lovi moisturizer fit with its 345 Relief Cream, while Avène offers an Average fit with its Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream. Every Dr. Althea product on this page lists no fragrance, whereas several Avène moisturizers contain fragrance. Avène's Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm reaches a Superior fit for dry skin, though.
Dr. Althea or Avène for sensitive skin?
For sensitive skin, both Dr. Althea and Avène are good options, as Lovi rates their routines as high. Every product on the Dr. Althea page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas some Avène products contain fragrance.
Dr. Althea or Avène for acne-prone skin?
Both Dr. Althea and Avène are good options for acne-prone skin, as their routines on the products on this page both achieve a High fit level. Dr. Althea is noted for gentle and soothing cleansers and moisturizers without fragrance, while Avène offers effective oil control and targeted anti-blemish care.
Research behind their key ingredients
Molecular basis of retinol anti-ageing properties in naturally aged human skin in vivo
An oil-soluble extract of Rubus idaeus cells enhances hydration and water homeostasis in skin cells
Comparative benefit of two thermal spring waters after photodynamic therapy procedure
Comparison of methods for assessing photoprotection against ultraviolet A in vivo
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
Treatment with Ascorbyl Glucoside-Arginine Complex Ameliorates Solar Lentigos
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
-

Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-

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
-

Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-

Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-

Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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