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COSRX vs Dr. Althea

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

COSRX and Dr. Althea are two Korean skincare brands founded in 2013 and 2014, respectively. COSRX is beloved for its serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and masks featuring hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide to suit oily and sensitive skin, while Dr. Althea is widely loved for its moisturizers, cleansers, makeup removers, and serums featuring gentle, nourishing formulas to suit dry and mature skin. Both offer targeted solutions like acne cleansers, dark spot treatments, and anti-aging serums. Ultimately, they differ in their foundational ingredients, ideal skin types, and specific formulation goals.

COSRX is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2013 and owned by Amorepacific Group since 2024.

koreajoongangdaily.combeautymatter.comprnewswire.com

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

doctoraltheaglobal.comdoctoralthea.co.kr

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

Popular COSRX vs Dr. Althea products

People Say

COSRXDr. Althea
  • Soothing and calming 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”
    • “great for sensitive skin — Dr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum”
    • “No stinging or irritation — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
  • Texture and skin smoothing Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “absorbs instantly like water — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
    • “sinks in immediately — COSRX Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream”
    • “absorbs beautifully — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
    • “rich but non-greasy — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
  • Value, barrier, and additional benefits Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “dark skin friendly — COSRX Ultra-Light Invisible Sunscreen”
    • “doesn't strip my skin — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
    • “strengthened my skin barrier — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
    • “Innovative dial mechanism — Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm”
  • Deep hydration and moisturization Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “skin drinks it up — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “woke up with soft, supple skin — COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream”
    • “gives a healthy glow — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
    • “consistently hydrated mornings — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
  • Acne and pore control Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “extremely gentle — COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner”
    • “helped to improve my acne after only 2 weeks — COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser”
    • “cleared up my spots — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
    • “hydrating but light — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
  • Cleansing and lather Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “foam is rich and creamy — Dr. Althea Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser”
    • “Removes sunscreen well — Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm”
    • “great for morning routine — Dr. Althea Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser”
    • “removes all the oil — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
  • Packaging and size limitations Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Runs out fast — Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm”
    • “Hard to see remaining amount — Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm”
    • “bottle goes fast — Dr. Althea Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser”
    • “only 20mls... significantly less product — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”
  • Sticky or heavy finish Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “texture is gooey and stringy — COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream”
    • “Leaves a sticky film — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “too nourishing for combo skin — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
    • “left a moisturizing film — Dr. Althea Amino Gel Cleanser”
  • Caused breakouts and skin irritation Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “too slimy and sticky — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “burned my skin — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “broke me out — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
    • “gave me cystic acne — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”

COSRX vs Dr. Althea routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

COSRX vs Dr. Althea routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

COSRX vs Dr. Althea routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

COSRX or Dr. Althea: which is better?

COSRX is better for deep hydration, acne and pore control, while Dr. Althea is better for soothing sensitive skin and cleansing. Both brands offer solid options, but your choice depends on whether you need targeted acne clearing or gentle calming care.

What is the difference between COSRX and Dr. Althea?

COSRX is better for deep hydration and acne control, whereas Dr. Althea does better with soothing and calming sensitive skin, as well as cleansing and lather. For routine fit, COSRX is superior for oily, sensitive, and acne-prone skin, while Dr. Althea is superior for dry and mature skin.

COSRX or Dr. Althea for dry skin?

For dry skin, Dr. Althea achieves a superior routine fit on this page, while COSRX achieves a high routine fit. The products on this page for both brands feature hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

COSRX or Dr. Althea: which cleanser is better?

Dr. Althea does better on cleansing and lather, with gentle cleansers mostly mentioned by reviewers. The products on this page for Dr. Althea include the Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser, which has a Superior Lovi fit level for oily, combination, acne-prone, and dry skin.

Which is more affordable, COSRX or Dr. Althea?

The products on this page do not have price information available to compare affordability between COSRX and Dr. Althea.

COSRX or Dr. Althea for oily skin?

COSRX is the better choice for oily skin, as Lovi rates its routine fit for oily skin as Superior while Dr. Althea achieves a High fit level.

COSRX or Dr. Althea: which moisturizer is better?

COSRX is better for deep hydration and moisturization among the products on this page, whereas Dr. Althea does better for soothing and calming sensitive skin.

COSRX or Dr. Althea for sensitive skin?

COSRX has a Superior routine fit for sensitive skin, making it a better option than Dr. Althea, which has a High fit level for this skin type. Reviewers note that COSRX products on this page are gentle and non-irritating.

COSRX or Dr. Althea for acne-prone skin?

COSRX is the better fit for acne-prone skin because Lovi rates its routine as Superior compared to Dr. Althea's High. Reviewers also note that COSRX does better on acne and pore control.

COSRX or Dr. Althea for mature skin?

For mature skin, COSRX offers products on this page with a Lovi fit level of Superior while Dr. Althea achieves a Superior routine fit for mature skin overall. Both brands use key ingredients like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid that help target signs of aging.

Antioxidants, 2021Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

COSRX or Dr. Althea for skin with dark spots?

Both COSRX and Dr. Althea are a High fit for skin with dark spots according to Lovi ratings. COSRX features key ingredients like niacinamide, which helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation, whereas Dr. Althea offers a Vitamin C Boosting Serum to target uneven tone.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

COSRX or Dr. Althea for dry sensitive skin?

For dry sensitive skin, Lovi rates COSRX as High and Dr. Althea as High. Review themes show Dr. Althea does better at soothing and calming sensitive skin, while COSRX does better at deep hydration and moisturization.

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?

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