Dr. Althea vs celimax
Dr. Althea and celimax are esteemed Korean skincare brands known for their thoughtful assortments of nourishing moisturizers, serums, cleansers, makeup removers, and toners featuring gentle, carefully crafted formulas. The former suits dry skin and mature skin best, offering soothing hydration, while the latter is ideal for sensitive skin and mature skin, providing consistent daily care. Both brands feature standout targeted solutions for acne-prone skin, dark spots, and mature skin, yet they differ in their primary formulation focus and foundational ingredient pairings to support a balanced and healthy complexion.
Dr. Althea is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2014 and owned by The Pure Lab Co., Ltd..
doctoraltheaglobal.comdoctoralthea.co.kr
celimax is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2019 and owned by ABSORBLAB Co., Ltd..
This page compares some of the most popular Dr. Althea and celimax products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Dr. Althea vs celimax products
People Say
Texture and Absorption Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “absorbs beautifully — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
- “rich but non-greasy — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
- “absorbs incredibly fast — celimax Pore+Dark Spot Brightening Serum”
- “skin feels noticeably smoother — celimax Heartleaf BHA Peeling Pad”
Gentle Formula Mostly MentionedOften 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”
- “cleans deeply without stripping — celimax Noni Acne Bubble Cleanser”
Soothing and Calming Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
- “calms redness — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
- “instantly calms irritated skin — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
- “calms my face redness upon application — celimax Noni Ampoule”
- “Calms irritation — celimax Dual Barrier Creamy Toner”
Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “hydrating but light — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
- “consistently hydrated mornings — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
- “Skin stays soft throughout the day — celimax Dual Barrier Creamy Toner”
- “gives a very beautiful glow to your skin — celimax Noni Ampoule”
Skin Repair and Anti-Aging Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “glass-like smoothness — celimax RETINAL SHOT”
- “Helped restore skin after chemical peels — celimax Dual Barrier Skin Wearable Cream”
- “plumper skin — celimax RETINAL SHOT”
- “strengthened my skin barrier — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
Cleansing Performance Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “Removes sunscreen well — Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm”
- “great for morning routine — Dr. Althea Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser”
- “skin feels noticeably smoother — celimax Ji.Woo.Gae Cica BHA Blemish Toner Pad”
- “emulsifies well — celimax Derma Nature Fresh Blackhead Jojoba Cleansing Oil”
Scent and Irritation Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “smells like plants — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
- “clinical scent — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
- “stinging — celimax RETINAL SHOT”
- “redness — celimax RETINAL SHOT”
Price and Quantity Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “Runs out fast — Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm”
- “a bit pricey — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
- “tiny — celimax RETINAL SHOT”
- “Expensive for only 150ml — celimax Dual Barrier Creamy Toner”
Packaging Issues Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “Hard to see remaining amount — Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm”
- “hard to squeeze — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
- “pump shoots out — celimax Derma Nature Fresh Blackhead Jojoba Cleansing Oil”
- “Getting the product out requires strength — celimax Dual Barrier Skin Wearable Cream”
Dr. Althea vs celimax routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€11.25
-
Hydrating Toner
COSRX Propolis Synergy Toner
Morning
€14.28
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Moisturizer
345 Relief Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€21.32
-
SPF
thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen SPF 50+
Morning
€32.81
-
Pre-Cleanser
Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
€13.35
-
Serum or Treatment
Vitamin C Boosting Serum
Evening · Once a week
€23.02
-
Nourishing Mask
Mediheal Watermide Essential Mask
Once a week
€28.40
-
Cleanser
Noni Acne Bubble Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€25.95
-
Hydrating Toner
Dual Barrier Creamy Toner
Morning
€17.00
-
Moisturizer
Dual Barrier Skin Wearable Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€17.36
-
SPF
thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen SPF 50+
Morning
€32.81
-
Pre-Cleanser
Derma Nature Fresh Blackhead Jojoba Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€14.90
-
Serum or Treatment
Noni Ampoule
Evening · Once a week
€19.91
-
Nourishing Mask
Mediheal Watermide Essential Mask
Once a week
€28.40
Dr. Althea vs celimax routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€11.25
-
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
€21.32
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
€15.64
-
Pre-Cleanser
Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
€13.35
-
Cleansing Toner
Pixi Glow Tonic
Evening
€34.00
-
Serum or Treatment
Vitamin C Boosting Serum
Evening · Once a week
€23.02
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€76.00
-
Cleansing Mask
Dr. Sebagh Deep Exfoliating Mask
Once a week
€82.85
-
Cleanser
Noni Acne Bubble Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€25.95
-
Hydrating Toner
Dual Barrier Creamy Toner
Morning · Once a week
€17.00
-
Moisturizer
Dual Barrier Skin Wearable Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€17.36
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
€15.64
-
Pre-Cleanser
Derma Nature Fresh Blackhead Jojoba Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€14.90
-
Cleansing Toner
Ji.Woo.Gae Cica BHA Blemish Toner Pad
Evening
€20.90
-
Serum or Treatment
Heartleaf BHA Peeling Pad
Evening · Once a week
€20.02
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€76.00
-
Cleansing Mask
Dr. Sebagh Deep Exfoliating Mask
Once a week
€82.85
Dr. Althea vs celimax routines for combination skin
-
Cleanser
Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€11.25
-
Hydrating Toner
La Mer The Tonic
Morning · Once a week
€115.30
-
Moisturizer
345 Relief Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€21.32
-
Pre-Cleanser
Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
€13.35
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
€22.99
-
Serum or Treatment
Vitamin C Boosting Serum
Evening · Once a week
€23.02
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€76.00
-
Cleansing Mask
Sand & Sky Australian Pink Clay Porefining Face Mask
Once a week
€48.22
-
Cleanser
Noni Acne Bubble Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€25.95
-
Hydrating Toner
Dual Barrier Creamy Toner
Morning · Once a week
€17.00
-
Moisturizer
Dual Barrier Skin Wearable Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€17.36
-
Pre-Cleanser
Derma Nature Fresh Blackhead Jojoba Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€14.90
-
Cleansing Toner
Ji.Woo.Gae Cica BHA Blemish Toner Pad
Evening
€20.90
-
Serum or Treatment
Heartleaf BHA Peeling Pad
Evening · Once a week
€20.02
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€76.00
-
Cleansing Mask
Sand & Sky Australian Pink Clay Porefining Face Mask
Once a week
€48.22
Questions and answers
Dr. Althea or celimax: which is better?
Dr. Althea achieves a Superior routine fit for dry and mature skin, whereas celimax reaches an Average fit for dry skin and a High fit for mature skin. Both brands offer fragrance-free options and perform equally well in texture, absorption, soothing, hydration, and cleansing.
What is the difference between Dr. Althea and celimax?
Dr. Althea provides a gentler formula, while celimax performs better for skin repair and anti-aging. Both brands offer equal performance in texture, soothing, hydration, cleansing, scent and irritation, price, and packaging. Lovi rates Dr. Althea as Superior for dry and mature skin routines, whereas celimax is rated Average for dry and dry sensitive skin.
Dr. Althea or celimax for dry skin?
Dr. Althea provides a Superior routine fit for dry skin, whereas celimax offers an Average fit. Both brands list no fragrance in their products on this page.
Dr. Althea or celimax: which cleanser is better?
Dr. Althea is better for a gentle formula, while both brands offer equal cleansing performance on the products on this page. Reviewers mostly mention Dr. Althea for having gentle and soothing cleansers.
Which is more affordable, Dr. Althea or celimax?
Both Dr. Althea and celimax are equal in price and quantity according to the review themes on the page.
Between Dr. Althea and celimax, which brand has better skin repair and anti-aging performance?
For skin repair and anti-aging, celimax does better on the products on this page. Lovi rates celimax with high levels of repair and anti-aging performance.
How do the founding years and parent companies of Dr. Althea and celimax compare?
Dr. Althea was founded in 2014 and is owned by The Pure Lab Co., Ltd., whereas celimax was founded in 2019 and is owned by ABSORBLAB Co., Ltd.. Both brands were founded in South Korea.
Which brand performs better for mature skin routines, Dr. Althea or celimax?
Dr. Althea performs better for mature skin routines, achieving a Superior Lovi fit level compared to the High level of celimax.
Dr. Althea or celimax for oily skin?
For oily skin, Dr. Althea has a High routine fit and celimax also has a High routine fit on this page, making both brands equal choices. Reviewers note that Dr. Althea offers gentle cleansers while celimax helps with skin texture.
Dr. Althea or celimax: which moisturizer is better?
Dr. Althea and celimax both offer well-reviewed moisturizers, but Dr. Althea earns a Superior fit for dry skin compared to celimax's Average fit on this page. Dr. Althea is also noted as doing better for gentle formulas, while celimax excels more in skin repair and anti-aging.
Dr. Althea or celimax for sensitive skin?
For sensitive skin, Dr. Althea has a High Lovi fit level, while celimax also has a High Lovi fit level. Reviewers note that Dr. Althea is better for a gentle formula.
Dr. Althea or celimax for acne-prone skin?
Both Dr. Althea and celimax offer a High routine fit for acne-prone skin, meaning each brand helps support this skin type well. Dr. Althea performs better for a gentle formula, while the products on this page for both brands list no fragrance.
Research behind their key ingredients
Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles in sunscreens: focus on their safety and effectiveness
The effect of niacinamide on reducing cutaneous pigmentation and suppression of melanosome transfer
Effect of Camellia japonica oil on human type I procollagen production and skin barrier function
Protective effects of Camellia japonica flower extract against urban air pollutants
Morinda citrifolia Linn. (Rubiaceae) leaf extracts mitigate UVB-induced erythema
Development and efficacy assessments of tea seed oil makeup remover
Histometric assessment of the age-related skin response to 2-hydroxy-5-octanoyl benzoic acid
Effects of fermented tea seed oil on the skin lipid barrier and microbiome of sensitive skin
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
-

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
How does it fit your skin?
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