🇫🇷France

Dr. Althea vs Clinique

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

Dr. Althea and Clinique are renowned skincare brands offering thoughtfully crafted moisturizers, serums, and makeup removers designed to support diverse complexions. While the Korean brand relies on soothing formulas with standout solutions like the 345 Relief Cream to suit dry and acne-prone skin best, the American brand incorporates hydrating hyaluronic acid, nourishing glycerin, and invigorating caffeine to suit dry sensitive and oily skin best. Although both provide targeted options for concerns like dark spots and mature skin, they differ in their origin, founding eras, and foundational ingredients.

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

doctoraltheaglobal.comdoctoralthea.co.kr

Clinique is an American skincare brand founded in 1968 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc..

en.wikipedia.orgelcompanies.combusinesswire.comglossy.co

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

Popular Dr. Althea vs Clinique products

People Say

Dr. AltheaClinique
  • Soothing and Gentle Formulas 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”
    • “never irritated my eyes — Clinique All About Eyes”
  • Texture and Lightweight Feel Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “absorbs beautifully — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
    • “rich but non-greasy — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
    • “Melts instantly — Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm”
    • “sinks in immediately — Clinique moisture surge”
  • Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “hydrating but light — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
    • “consistently hydrated mornings — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
    • “Keeps my dry patches at bay all day — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
    • “skin feels soft and smooth — Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask”
  • Skin Texture and Tone Improvement Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “faded dark spots — Dr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum”
    • “faded acne scars — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
    • “skin feels silky smooth — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
    • “gentle enough for everyday — Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula”
  • Cleansing and Makeup Removal Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Removes sunscreen well — Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm”
    • “great for morning routine — Dr. Althea Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser”
    • “Melts waterproof mascara — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “squeaky clean — Clinique all about clean”
  • Makeup Compatibility and Base Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “foundation glides on — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “holds concealer in place — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “perfect primer base — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
  • Expensive Price Point Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “a bit pricey — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
    • “jar is too small for the cost — Clinique moisture surge”
  • Scent and Irritation Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “smells like plants — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
    • “clinical scent — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
    • “Smells like nail polish remover — Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2”
    • “Made my skin super dry — Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2”
  • Causes Breakouts Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “broke me out — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
    • “gave me cystic acne — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
    • “Woke up with whiteheads on my chin — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
    • “gave me tiny bumps — Clinique moisture surge”

Dr. Althea vs Clinique routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Dr. Althea vs Clinique routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Dr. Althea vs Clinique routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Dr. Althea or Clinique: which is better?

Dr. Althea tends to perform better for dry, acne-prone, and mature skin, while both brands offer equal levels of hydration and makeup removal. Lovi rates Dr. Althea as Superior for dry, acne-prone, and mature skin routines, compared to Clinique which is rated Average for dry and acne-prone skin routines and High for mature skin.

What is the difference between Dr. Althea and Clinique?

Dr. Althea and Clinique both offer fragrance-free skincare products, but Dr. Althea achieves a superior Lovi fit level for dry, acne-prone, mature, and combination skin, as well as skin with dark spots. Reviewers note that Dr. Althea provides better soothing and gentle formulas with a lightweight feel, whereas Clinique is more frequently associated with a high price point.

Dr. Althea or Clinique for dry skin?

For dry skin, Dr. Althea is the better choice because Lovi rates its routine fit as Superior, whereas Clinique is rated Average. Additionally, topical hyaluronic acid found in the products on this page helps improve skin quality and hydration signs.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Dr. Althea or Clinique: which cleanser is better?

When it comes to cleansers, Dr. Althea generally performs better on this page, with Lovi rating its Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser as a Superior fit for acne-prone, oily, combination, and dry skin. In contrast, Clinique's all about clean receives a Warning for dry skin and a Caution for oily skin, though its Redness Solutions Soothing Cleanser is a High fit for dry sensitive and sensitive skin.

Which is more affordable, Dr. Althea or Clinique?

Clinique is frequently noted by reviewers for a high price point, whereas Dr. Althea is noted for having an expensive price point as well.

Dr. Althea or Clinique for oily skin?

Both Dr. Althea and Clinique fit oily skin at a High level on this page. Reviewers note that both brands provide oil-controlling and lightweight formulas.

Dr. Althea or Clinique: which moisturizer is better?

Dr. Althea is better for dry, acne-prone, and mature skin, where Lovi rates its 345 Relief Cream as Superior compared to Clinique's average rating for moisture surge. Hyaluronic acid helps bind moisture to the skin to improve hydration.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Dr. Althea or Clinique for sensitive skin?

Both brands are a strong choice for sensitive skin, as Lovi rates Dr. Althea High and Clinique High. Reviewers note that both brands offer gentle and effective cleansers.

Dr. Althea or Clinique for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, Dr. Althea has a Superior routine fit, whereas Clinique has an Average fit on this page.

Dr. Althea or Clinique for mature skin?

For mature skin, Lovi rates Dr. Althea as Superior and Clinique as High. Dr. Althea does better for soothing and gentle formulas as well as texture and lightweight feel, while the brands are equal on skin texture and tone improvement.

Dr. Althea or Clinique for dry sensitive skin?

Both Dr. Althea and Clinique fit dry sensitive skin well, as Lovi rates both brands as High for this skin type. Reviewers mostly mention that both brands offer hydrating moisturizers and gentle cleansers.

Dr. Althea or Clinique for skin with dark spots?

Dr. Althea is better for skin with dark spots. Lovi rates Dr. Althea High for skin with dark spots, while Clinique is rated Average.

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