Dr. Althea vs ISDIN
Dr. Althea and ISDIN are esteemed skincare brands rooted in distinct traditions that offer thoughtfully crafted moisturizers, cleansers, serums, and sunscreens featuring gentle, nourishing formulas. The Korean brand excels in soothing hydration with standout solutions like the 345 Relief Cream for dark spots and the Vitamin C Boosting Serum for mature skin, whereas the Spanish house delivers dependable protection with remedies such as Eryfotona Actinica and K-Ox Eyes. While Dr. Althea suits dry and mature skin best, ISDIN caters primarily to dry and sensitive skin, allowing both to support a healthy and balanced complexion through their targeted offerings.
Dr. Althea is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2014 and owned by The Pure Lab Co., Ltd..
doctoraltheaglobal.comdoctoralthea.co.kr
ISDIN is a Spanish skincare brand founded in 1975 and owned by Puig.
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This page compares some of the most popular Dr. Althea and ISDIN products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Dr. Althea vs ISDIN products
People Say
Lightweight and Fast-Absorbing Texture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “absorbs instantly — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”
- “ultra-light fluid product, which makes it super easy to apply — ISDIN Fusion Water”
- “Lightweight formula absorbs fast — ISDIN Hyaluronic Concentrate”
- “absorbs beautifully — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
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”
- “Sensitive/reactive skin tolerates — ISDIN Hyaluronic Moisture”
Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “Improved moisture and texture — ISDIN Hyaluronic Moisture”
- “My skin felt sooo hydrated and looks so plump and dewey. — ISDIN Fusion Water”
- “skin looks smooth and healthy — ISDIN K-Ox Eyes”
- “hydrating but light — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
Skin Texture and Tone Improvement Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “My hyperpigmentation has lightened and skin looks more even, even shines more. — ISDIN Flavo-C Serum”
- “skin was much smoother — ISDIN Retinal Intense Serum”
- “fades dark spots — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”
- “faded dark spots — Dr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum”
Soothing and Calming Mostly MentionedNot 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”
Scents and Fragrance Concerns 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”
- “smell is overpowering — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”
Expensive Price Point Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
- “a bit pricey — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
- “very expensive — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”
Dr. Althea vs ISDIN routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€14.68
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Hydrating Toner
COSRX Propolis Synergy Toner
Morning
€14.28
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Moisturizer
Elizabeth Arden Advanced Ceramide Lift and Firm Night Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€50.82
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SPF
Fusion Water
Morning
€23.00
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Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
€16.25
-
Serum or Treatment
Flavo-C Serum
Evening · Once a week
€47.00
-
Nourishing Mask
Mediheal Watermide Essential Mask
Once a week
€28.40
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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
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SPF
thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen SPF 50+
Morning
€32.81
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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
Dr. Althea vs ISDIN routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€21.45
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
€19.99
-
Moisturizer
COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€16.50
-
SPF
Eryfotona Actinica
Morning
€34.93
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Pre-Cleanser
Pyunkang Yul Deep Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€22.67
-
Cleansing Toner
Pixi Glow Tonic
Evening
€34.00
-
Serum or Treatment
Flavo-C Serum
Evening · Once a week
€47.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€76.00
-
Cleansing Mask
Dr. Sebagh Deep Exfoliating Mask
Once a week
€82.85
-
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
Dr. Althea vs ISDIN routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€56.86
-
Hydrating Toner
La Mer The Tonic
Morning · Once a week
€115.30
-
Moisturizer
COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€16.50
-
SPF
Eryfotona Actinica
Morning
€34.93
-
Pre-Cleanser
Pyunkang Yul Deep Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€22.67
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
€22.99
-
Serum or Treatment
Flavo-C Serum
Evening · Once a week
€47.00
-
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
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
Questions and answers
Dr. Althea or ISDIN: which is better?
ISDIN often performs better than Dr. Althea because ISDIN achieves superior routine fit ratings across most skin types, including oily, sensitive, and acne-prone skin. Reviewers also note that ISDIN excels with lightweight, fast-absorbing sunscreens, whereas Dr. Althea stands out more for fragrance-free, gentle formulas.
What is the difference between Dr. Althea and ISDIN?
Dr. Althea offers a more budget-friendly and generally fragrance-free formula known for soothing properties, whereas ISDIN stands out for ultralight sunscreens and superior routine fit across most skin types despite a higher price point.
Dr. Althea or ISDIN for dry skin?
Both brands achieve a Superior routine fit for dry skin, making them equal choices on this page. Dr. Althea appeals to dry skin shoppers with fragrance-free soothing moisturizers, while ISDIN offers ultralight, makeup-friendly sunscreens.
Dr. Althea or ISDIN: which moisturizer is better?
When comparing moisturizers, ISDIN achieves an Average fit on Lovi for dry skin with options like Hyaluronic Concentrate, while Dr. Althea offers the 345 Relief Cream which has a High fit for dry skin and a Superior fit for acne-prone skin.
Which is more affordable, Dr. Althea or ISDIN?
Dr. Althea is more affordable, whereas reviewers often note a high price point for ISDIN. Additionally, Dr. Althea features no fragrance across the products on this page, while several ISDIN products list fragrance.
Between Dr. Althea and ISDIN, which brand has better fragrance-free product options?
Dr. Althea offers better fragrance-free options because every product on the products on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients. In contrast, several ISDIN products include fragrance.
How do the founding countries and parent companies of Dr. Althea and ISDIN compare?
Dr. Althea was founded in 2014 in South Korea and is owned by The Pure Lab Co., Ltd., whereas ISDIN was founded in 1975 in Spain and is owned by Puig.
Which brand performs better for skin texture and tone improvement according to reviewers?
ISDIN performs better for skin texture and tone improvement according to reviewers. Every product on the Dr. Althea page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas some ISDIN products contain fragrance.
Dr. Althea or ISDIN for oily skin?
ISDIN is a better fit for oily skin, as Lovi rates its routine as Superior compared to Dr. Althea's High level. Reviewers also highlight ISDIN for its lightweight and fast-absorbing texture.
Dr. Althea or ISDIN for sensitive skin?
For sensitive skin, both brands offer good options, though Lovi rates ISDIN as Superior and Dr. Althea as High. Reviewers mention that Dr. Althea provides a gentle formula, while ISDIN is often noted for a high price point.
Dr. Althea or ISDIN for acne-prone skin?
For acne-prone skin, both brands work well, with Lovi rating Dr. Althea High and ISDIN Superior. Reviewers frequently note Dr. Althea for gentle and soothing formulas, while ISDIN stands out for lightweight sunscreens and moisturizers.
Research behind their key ingredients
Comparison of methods for assessing photoprotection against ultraviolet A in vivo
Development and efficacy assessments of tea seed oil makeup remover
Nanocomplex of quaternized cyclodextrin grafted chitosan and hyaluronic acid for a skin delivery
Effects of fermented tea seed oil on the skin lipid barrier and microbiome of sensitive skin
The clinical efficacy of a new emulsion for acne and conspicuous facial pore amelioration
Retrospective Review of Dermal Safety Studies of Organic Sunscreens
Targeting Circadian Rhythm for the Regulation of Skin Collagen Metabolism
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
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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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
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