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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 skincare lines offering gentle cleansers, moisturizers, and makeup removers. The Korean brand features soothing formulas with ingredients like vitamin C that suit dry and acne-prone skin, while the British brand relies on niacinamide and glycerin to help with acne and dark spots. While both cater to sensitive complexions, Dr. Althea focuses on nourishing serums and targeted creams, whereas Simple is known for its accessible toners and micellar waters.

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 · 98% fit

Dr. Althea vs Simple routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 97% 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?

Dr. Althea achieves a Superior routine fit for dry, acne-prone, mature, and oily acne-prone skin on this page, while Simple reaches a High fit for those same types. Reviewers find that Dr. Althea does better for soothing and calming as well as skin texture and tone, whereas Simple wins on an affordable price point and lightweight, fast-absorbing feel.

What is the difference between Dr. Althea and Simple?

Dr. Althea achieves a Superior routine fit for dry skin, acne-prone skin, mature skin, and oily acne-prone skin, whereas Simple reaches a High fit for those same types. Reviewers note that Simple offers lightweight, value-friendly moisturizers and affordable price points, while Dr. Althea provides soothing and calming benefits as well as improvements in skin texture and tone.

Dr. Althea or Simple for dry skin?

For dry skin, Lovi rates Dr. Althea as Superior and Simple as High. Reviewers note that Simple offers lightweight, value-friendly moisturizers, while Dr. Althea provides soothing and hydrating moisturizers.

Dr. Althea or Simple: which cleanser is better?

Dr. Althea achieves a Superior fit level for acne-prone, oily, combination, and dry skin with its Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser, whereas Simple achieves an Average fit level for the same skin types with its Refreshing Facial Wash.

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.

Which brand has more fragrance-free products, Dr. Althea or Simple?

Both Dr. Althea and Simple offer only fragrance-free products on this page, as every product listed for both brands contains no fragrance in its ingredients.

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

Dr. Althea was founded in 2014 in South Korea, whereas Simple was founded much earlier in 1960 in the United Kingdom.

Which brand is better for mature skin and skin with dark spots?

For mature skin, Dr. Althea has a Superior routine fit while Simple has a High fit. For skin with dark spots, both brands offer a High routine fit.

Dr. Althea or Simple for oily skin?

For oily skin, Dr. Althea has a High routine fit on this page, while Simple also has a High routine fit, making them equal. Reviewers note that Simple offers lightweight and fast-absorbing products, whereas Dr. Althea provides gentle and soothing cleansers and moisturizers.

Dr. Althea or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

Dr. Althea is better for dry, acne-prone, and mature skin, where Lovi rates its 345 Relief Cream with a Superior fit compared to Simple's average fit moisturizers. Both brands formulate the products on this page without fragrance, making them gentle choices.

Dr. Althea or Simple for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, both brands offer a High Lovi routine fit and equal gentle performance. Dr. Althea tends to do better with soothing and calming, while Simple provides lightweight, value-friendly moisturizers.

Dr. Althea or Simple for acne-prone skin?

Dr. Althea is the better choice for acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates its routine fit as Superior while Simple only achieves a High level.

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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