Dr. Althea vs Biore
Dr. Althea and Biore are well-regarded Asian skincare brands that offer thoughtful cleansers, makeup removers, and targeted treatments for various complexions. The former is a Korean brand known for soothing moisturizers and nourishing serums that suit dry and acne-prone skin best, while the latter is a Japanese brand known for sunscreens and masks that suit sensitive and oily skin best. Although both provide reliable paths to a balanced complexion through gentle and effective formulations, they differ in their foundational ingredients and specific regional heritages.
Dr. Althea is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2014 and owned by The Pure Lab Co., Ltd..
doctoraltheaglobal.comdoctoralthea.co.kr
Biore is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1980 and owned by Kao Corporation.
This page compares some of the most popular Dr. Althea and Biore products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Dr. Althea vs Biore products
People Say
Gentle Formula Mostly MentionedNot noted
- “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”
Rich Foam and Cleansing Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
- “Gets the gunk out — Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips”
- “Face feels squeaky clean — Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser”
- “foam is rich and creamy — Dr. Althea Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser”
Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “hydrating but light — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
- “consistently hydrated mornings — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
- “feels hydrated — Dr. Althea Amino Gel Cleanser”
- “feels like a moisturizer — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
Lightweight and Fast Absorbing Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “absorbs beautifully — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
- “absorbs quickly — Dr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum”
- “melts into skin — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
Soothing and Calming Mostly MentionedNot 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”
Skin Texture Improvement Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “Melts instantly — Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm”
- “faded acne scars — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
- “Leaves skin feeling clean — Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips”
Scent and Irritation 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”
- “smells like alcohol — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
Eye Irritation Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
- “Clouds vision temporarily — Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm”
- “stings eyes — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
Slightly Drying Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
- “drying on my hands and face — Dr. Althea Amino Gel Cleanser”
- “Made my skin peel — Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser”
Causes Breakouts Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “broke me out — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
- “gave me cystic acne — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
- “caused cystic acne — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
- “Caused breakouts, closed comedones, cystic acne. — Biore Makeup Remover Perfect Oil”
Dr. Althea vs Biore routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€18.99
-
Hydrating Toner
COSRX Propolis Synergy Toner
Morning
€18.55
-
Moisturizer
345 Relief Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€22.22
-
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
€18.95
-
Nourishing Mask
Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Sheet Mask
Once a week
€19.90
-
Cleanser
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€7.50
-
Hydrating Toner
COSRX Propolis Synergy Toner
Morning
€18.55
-
Moisturizer
Elizabeth Arden Advanced Ceramide Lift and Firm Night Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€76.29
- SPF UV Aqua Rich Morning
-
Pre-Cleanser
Makeup Remover Perfect Oil
Evening · Once a week
€33.88
-
Serum or Treatment
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
Evening · Once a week
€86.15
-
Nourishing Mask
Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Sheet Mask
Once a week
€19.90
Dr. Althea vs Biore routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€18.99
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
€19.99
-
Moisturizer
345 Relief Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€22.22
-
SPF
make p:rem UV Defense Me Blue Ray Sun Cream
Morning
€34.30
-
Pre-Cleanser
Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
€15.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Pixi Glow Tonic
Evening
€29.29
-
Serum or Treatment
Vitamin C Boosting Serum
Evening · Once a week
€18.95
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€49.00
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
€79.97
-
Cleanser
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€11.35
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
€19.99
-
Moisturizer
COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€17.47
- SPF UV Aqua Rich Morning
-
Pre-Cleanser
Makeup Remover Perfect Oil
Evening · Once a week
€33.88
-
Cleansing Toner
Pixi Glow Tonic
Evening
€29.29
-
Serum or Treatment
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
Evening · Once a week
€86.15
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€49.00
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
€79.97
Dr. Althea vs Biore routines for combination skin
-
Cleanser
Paula's Choice Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€32.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
€36.00
-
Moisturizer
COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€17.47
- SPF UV Aqua Rich Morning
-
Pre-Cleanser
Makeup Remover Perfect Oil
Evening · Once a week
€33.88
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
€17.15
-
Serum or Treatment
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
Evening · Once a week
€86.15
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€49.00
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
€79.97
-
Cleanser
Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€18.99
-
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
€22.22
-
Pre-Cleanser
Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
€15.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
€17.15
-
Serum or Treatment
Vitamin C Boosting Serum
Evening · Once a week
€18.95
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€49.00
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
€79.97
Questions and answers
Dr. Althea or Biore: which is better?
Dr. Althea is better for dry, acne-prone, and mature skin with a Superior routine fit, while Biore is better for sensitive skin with a Superior routine fit. Reviewers note that Dr. Althea excels in providing gentle formulas, soothing properties, and hydration among the products on this page.
What is the difference between Dr. Althea and Biore?
Dr. Althea offers a Superior routine fit for dry skin, acne-prone skin, mature skin, and oily acne-prone skin, while Biore offers a Superior routine fit for sensitive skin. Reviewers note that the products on this page for Dr. Althea feature gentle cleansers and soothing moisturizers.
Dr. Althea or Biore for dry skin?
For dry skin, Dr. Althea achieves a Superior routine fit while Biore reaches a High fit level. The products on this page from Dr. Althea also offer better hydration and moisture according to reviewer feedback.
Dr. Althea or Biore: which cleanser is better?
Dr. Althea offers a better cleanser option on this page, as its Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser achieves a Superior Lovi fit level for dry, oily, combination, and acne-prone skin types. In comparison, Biore's cleanser on the page only reaches an Average Lovi fit for those same skin types.
Which is more affordable, Dr. Althea or Biore?
This page does not provide pricing or affordability information for Dr. Althea or Biore products.
How do the founding years and countries of origin compare between Dr. Althea and Biore?
Dr. Althea was founded in 2014 in South Korea, whereas Biore was established earlier in 1980 in Japan. Both brands are owned by different parent companies originating from their respective countries.
Which brand has a fragrance-free product lineup according to the ingredient lists?
Both Dr. Althea and Biore feature a fragrance-free product lineup, as every product on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients.
What are the best skin types for Dr. Althea based on its brand-focused routines?
Based on its brand-focused routines, Dr. Althea fits dry skin, acne-prone skin, and mature skin best.
Dr. Althea or Biore for oily skin?
For oily skin, Dr. Althea achieves a High Lovi fit level and Biore achieves a High level, making them equal. Reviewers mention that Dr. Althea provides better gentle formulas and soothing benefits, while Biore excels in rich foam and cleansing.
Dr. Althea or Biore for sensitive skin?
For sensitive skin, Biore achieves a Superior routine fit, while Dr. Althea has a High fit. Reviewers note that Dr. Althea provides gentle cleansers and soothing moisturizers, and every product on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients.
Dr. Althea or Biore for acne-prone skin?
Dr. Althea is the better choice for acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates its routine as Superior compared to Biore's High rating. Reviewers frequently mention that Dr. Althea offers gentle cleansers and soothing moisturizers.
Research behind their key ingredients
The effect of niacinamide on reducing cutaneous pigmentation and suppression of melanosome transfer
Psychophysical study of the effects of topical application of menthol in healthy volunteers
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
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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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