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Dr. Althea vs Dermalogica

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

Dr. Althea and Dermalogica are two distinct skincare lines offering thoughtful moisturizers, gentle cleansers, and nourishing serums. The Korean brand is known for soothing formulas with ingredients that suit dry skin and acne-prone skin best, while the American brand relies on active ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and salicylic acid to suit oily skin and combination skin best. They differ primarily in their formulation philosophies, with the former providing balanced hydration and calm comfort and the latter balancing excess oil and moisture.

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

doctoraltheaglobal.comdoctoralthea.co.kr

Dermalogica is an American skincare brand founded in 1986 and owned by Unilever since 2015.

en.wikipedia.orgcosmeticsbusiness.com

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

Popular Dr. Althea vs Dermalogica products

People Say

Dr. AltheaDermalogica
  • Gentle Formula and Cleansing Mostly MentionedSometimes 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”
    • “gentle enough for daily use — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
  • Hydration and Moisture Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Saved my dry skin — Dermalogica Super Rich Repair”
    • “blends seamlessly — Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50”
    • “Absorbs quickly... not greasy — Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream”
    • “hydrating but light — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
  • Skin Texture and Smoothing Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “absorbs beautifully — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
    • “rich but non-greasy — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
    • “Melts instantly — Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm”
    • “skin feels smooth as silk — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
  • 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”
    • “helps calm and nourish my skin — Dermalogica Stabilizing Repair Cream”
  • Brightening and Radiance Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “faded dark spots — Dr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum”
    • “immediately brighter looking — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “skin looks amazing — Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque”
  • Price and Value Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “a bit pricey — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
    • “hefty price tag — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
  • Scents and Smells 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 puke — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
  • Insufficient Hydration or Heavy Feel Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “Too thick for day — Dermalogica Super Rich Repair”
    • “skin felt tight — Dermalogica Active Moist”
    • “felt a bit dry — Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel”
    • “not enough for dry skin — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
  • Breakouts and Acne Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “broke me out — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
    • “gave me cystic acne — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
    • “Cystic acne flare-ups — Dermalogica Precleanse”
    • “Caused cystic acne — Dermalogica Super Rich Repair”

Dr. Althea vs Dermalogica routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Dr. Althea vs Dermalogica routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Dr. Althea vs Dermalogica routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Dr. Althea or Dermalogica: which is better?

Dr. Althea is better for dry, acne-prone, and mature skin, while Dermalogica is better for oily and combination skin. Reviewers note that Dr. Althea offers gentler formulas and better value, whereas Dermalogica excels in intense hydration.

What is the difference between Dr. Althea and Dermalogica?

Dr. Althea and Dermalogica differ mainly in their pricing, formulation focus, and skin type fit, with Dr. Althea often scoring better for gentleness and value while Dermalogica is frequently noted for intense hydration. Reviewers mention that Dr. Althea provides superior routines for dry, acne-prone, and mature skin, whereas Dermalogica excels particularly with oily and combination skin types. Both brands offer products with no added fragrance across the items on this page.

Dr. Althea or Dermalogica for dry skin?

For dry skin, Dr. Althea offers a Superior routine fit, while Dermalogica provides a High routine fit. Both brands help address dryness, though topical hyaluronic acid helps improve overall skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Dr. Althea or Dermalogica: which cleanser is better?

Dr. Althea and Dermalogica both offer cleansers with strong performance, but Dr. Althea tends to excel with gentler formulas suited for dry, sensitive, and acne-prone skin. Meanwhile, Dermalogica provides a wider range of specialty cleansers that target oily and combination skin types.

Which is more affordable, Dr. Althea or Dermalogica?

Dr. Althea is more affordable, as Dermalogica has a high price point noted by reviewers.

Dr. Althea or Dermalogica: which brand has better reviews for soothing and calming?

Dr. Althea has better reviews for soothing and calming than Dermalogica. Reviewers often mention the products on this page for being soothing and calming, and the brand does better in this review theme.

Do Dr. Althea and Dermalogica products contain fragrance?

Dr. Althea and Dermalogica products on this page are formulated without added fragrance, as every product lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Dr. Althea or Dermalogica for oily skin?

For oily skin, Dermalogica offers a superior routine fit compared to Dr. Althea's high fit. Reviewers note that Dermalogica provides non-greasy, textured, and absorbent moisturizers alongside brightening and smoothing serums that help manage oily skin.

Dr. Althea or Dermalogica: which moisturizer is better?

Both Dr. Althea and Dermalogica offer strong moisturizers on this page, with Dr. Althea achieving a Superior fit for dry and acne-prone skin through options like the 345 Relief Cream, while Dermalogica delivers intense hydration and a Superior fit for dry and sensitive skin through the Stabilizing Repair Cream. Topical hyaluronic acid, featured in these formulas, helps improve skin quality and signs of skin aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Dr. Althea or Dermalogica for sensitive skin?

Both brands are a good match for sensitive skin, as Lovi rates Dr. Althea High and Dermalogica High for this skin type. Reviewers note that the products on this page for both brands are generally fragrance-free.

Dr. Althea or Dermalogica for acne-prone skin?

Dr. Althea has a Superior routine fit for acne-prone skin on this page, while Dermalogica has a High fit. Reviewers mention that Dr. Althea offers gentle cleansers and soothing moisturizers, which helps manage breakouts.

Dr. Althea or Dermalogica for mature skin?

Dr. Althea provides a Superior routine fit for mature skin, while Dermalogica offers a High routine fit. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of skin aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

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

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