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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 distinct skincare lines celebrated for their gentle moisturizers, cleansers, and makeup removers. The Korean brand features nourishing formulas that suit dry skin and mature skin best, while the British brand incorporates niacinamide and glycerin to support oily skin and acne-prone skin best. Although both offer targeted solutions for acne-prone skin, dark spots, and aging concerns, they differ in their heritage, foundational ingredients, and ideal skin types.

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 · 96% fit

Dr. Althea vs Simple routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

Dr. Althea or Simple: which is better?

Dr. Althea provides superior options for dry and mature skin, while Simple stands out for its lightweight, value-friendly moisturizers and budget-friendly price point. Both brands offer equal performance for sensitive, acne-prone, and oily skin types.

What is the difference between Dr. Althea and Simple?

Dr. Althea provides superior routine fits for dry and mature skin, whereas Simple is noted for being value-friendly and lightweight. Reviewers highlight Dr. Althea for soothing and calming benefits, while Simple is frequently recognized for its sensitive-skin-friendly makeup removers.

Dr. Althea or Simple for dry skin?

For dry skin, Dr. Althea has a Superior routine fit while Simple has a High routine fit. Reviewers mention that Dr. Althea provides hydrating moisturizers and soothing cleansers, whereas Simple offers lightweight, value-friendly moisturizers and gentle makeup removers.

Dr. Althea or Simple: which cleanser is better?

Dr. Althea has the better cleanser option on this page, as its Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser achieves a Superior Lovi fit level for dry skin, oily skin, combination skin, and acne-prone skin. In contrast, Simple offers the Refreshing Facial Wash, which has lower Lovi fit levels of Average for acne-prone skin and Low for dry and dry sensitive skin.

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.

Between Dr. Althea and Simple, which brand is better suited for mature skin?

Dr. Althea is better suited for mature skin, achieving a Superior routine fit compared to Simple's High fit on this page.

Do Dr. Althea and Simple products contain any fragrance in their ingredients?

Dr. Althea and Simple products on this page list no fragrance in their ingredients.

Which brand performs better when it comes to soothing and calming the skin?

Dr. Althea performs better than Simple when it comes to soothing and calming the skin. Reviewers note that Dr. Althea provides soothing cleansers and moisturizers, making it the stronger choice for this benefit.

Dr. Althea or Simple for oily skin?

For oily skin, both Dr. Althea and Simple achieve a High Lovi fit level. Reviewers mention that Dr. Althea offers gentle cleansers and soothing moisturizers, while Simple provides lightweight, value-friendly moisturizers.

Dr. Althea or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

Dr. Althea provides a better moisturizer experience with options like the 345 Relief Cream, which has a Superior Lovi fit level for acne-prone skin and High for dry, oily, and sensitive skin. In contrast, Simple offers moisturizers such as the Replenishing Rich Moisturiser, which achieve an Average Lovi fit level across all skin types.

Dr. Althea or Simple for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, Dr. Althea has a High Lovi fit level, and Simple has a High Lovi fit level, making them equal in their fit for this skin type.

Dr. Althea or Simple for acne-prone skin?

Dr. Althea has a High Lovi fit for acne-prone skin, while Simple has an Average Lovi fit. Dr. Althea provides better soothing and calming benefits for this skin type, whereas Simple is known for its affordable price point.

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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