🇪🇸Spain

Dr. Althea vs Simple

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

Dr. Althea and Simple are two distinct skincare lines celebrated for their gentle moisturizers, cleansers, and makeup removers. The Korean brand features nourishing formulas that suit dry skin and mature skin best, while the British brand incorporates niacinamide and glycerin to support oily skin and acne-prone skin best. Although both offer targeted solutions for acne-prone skin, dark spots, and aging concerns, they differ in their heritage, foundational ingredients, and ideal skin types.

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

doctoraltheaglobal.comdoctoralthea.co.kr

Simple is a British skincare brand founded in 1960 and owned by Unilever PLC since 2011.

en.wikipedia.orgsec.govprnewswire.comsimple.co.uk

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

Popular Dr. Althea vs Simple products

People Say

Dr. AltheaSimple
  • Gentle Formula for Sensitive Skin 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”
    • “Does not cause any form of irritation on the skin which I love. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “The only cleanser that doesn't turn my face red. — Simple Micellar Water”
  • Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “hydrating but light — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
    • “consistently hydrated mornings — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
    • “banished dryness within days — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “Instantly boosts skin's hydration... face doesn't feel dry and tight. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
  • 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”
    • “doesn't sting my eyes — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
  • Lightweight and Fast Absorbing Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
    • “absorbs very quickly — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “absorbs really well — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “absorbs beautifully — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
  • Skin Texture and Tone Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “rich but non-greasy — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
    • “Melts instantly — Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm”
    • “faded dark spots — Dr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum”
  • Affordable Price Point Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “great value for money — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
    • “super affordable — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “Can't beat the price for the quality. — Simple Micellar Water”
  • Weak Makeup Removal Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Struggles with waterproof mascara — Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm”
    • “won't remove mascara — Dr. Althea Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser”
    • “Did not remove my mascara very well at all. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
  • Causes Breakouts and Reactions Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “broke me out — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
    • “gave me cystic acne — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
    • “Gave me tiny bumps on my forehead. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “caused major breakouts — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
  • Insufficient Hydration or Moisture Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “not enough for dry skin — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
    • “not moisturizing enough — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”

Dr. Althea vs Simple routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Dr. Althea vs Simple routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Dr. Althea vs Simple routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Dr. Althea or Simple: which is better?

Both Dr. Althea and Simple are equal, as Lovi rates their routines as High for all skin types. Simple stands out for its affordable price point and lightweight moisturizers, whereas Dr. Althea does better with soothing and calming, and skin texture and tone.

What is the difference between Dr. Althea and Simple?

Dr. Althea and Simple both offer products on this page that achieve equal routine fit levels across all skin types, but they differ in their strengths and pricing. Simple is better known for its affordable price point and lightweight, fast-absorbing moisturizers, whereas Dr. Althea outperforms it in soothing, calming, skin texture, and tone benefits.

Dr. Althea or Simple for dry skin?

Both Dr. Althea and Simple achieve a High routine fit for dry skin. Simple provides lightweight, value-friendly moisturizers, while Dr. Althea offers soothing and hydrating moisturizers.

Dr. Althea or Simple: which cleanser is better?

Both brands offer gentle options, but Dr. Althea achieves a Superior Lovi fit for cleansers like the Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser across multiple skin types, whereas Simple cleansers generally reach an Average fit. Reviewers note that Dr. Althea provides especially gentle and soothing cleansers.

Which is more affordable, Dr. Althea or Simple?

Simple is more affordable, as it is noted for its affordable price point compared to Dr. Althea.

Between Dr. Althea and Simple, which brand is better for soothing and calming the skin?

Dr. Althea is better for soothing and calming the skin, as it outperforms Simple in soothing and calming benefits according to reviewer themes.

Which brand offers more lightweight and fast-absorbing products, Dr. Althea or Simple?

Simple offers more lightweight and fast-absorbing products, as Simple does better than Dr. Althea in that review theme.

How do the founding years and corporate ownerships of Dr. Althea and Simple compare?

Dr. Althea was founded in 2014 in South Korea and is owned by The Pure Lab Co., Ltd., while Simple was founded in 1960 in the United Kingdom and has been owned by Unilever PLC since 2011.

Dr. Althea or Simple for oily skin?

Both Dr. Althea and Simple achieve a High routine fit for oily skin. Dr. Althea offers superior cleansing options like the Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser, whereas Simple features key ingredients like glycerin to help maintain hydration.

Dr. Althea or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

Both brands offer solid moisturizer choices, with Dr. Althea achieving a Superior Lovi fit level for specific skin types like acne-prone and oily acne-prone skin with its 345 Relief Cream. Simple provides value-friendly options across various skin types, featuring key ingredients like glycerin to help support hydration.

Dr. Althea or Simple for sensitive skin?

Both Dr. Althea and Simple are a High fit for sensitive skin on Lovi. Reviewers note that both brands offer a gentle formula for sensitive skin.

Dr. Althea or Simple for acne-prone skin?

Both Dr. Althea and Simple achieve a High routine fit for acne-prone skin on Lovi. Dr. Althea outperforms Simple specifically on soothing and calming, while Simple offers a more affordable price point.

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

How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play