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Dr. Althea vs SK-II

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

Dr. Althea and SK-II are established Asian skincare lines known for nourishing moisturizers, serums, and cleansers. The Korean brand features gentle, nourishing formulas with standout items like the Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser, 345 Relief Cream, and Vitamin C Boosting Serum, while the Japanese counterpart anchors its luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, clarifying toners, and restorative masks in its signature ingredient, pitera. Both brands suit dry skin and acne-prone skin best, yet they differ as the former relies on harmonious, soothing hydration, whereas the latter addresses imbalances to improve pore area, roughness, and redness.

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

doctoraltheaglobal.comdoctoralthea.co.kr

SK-II is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1980 and owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991.

en.wikipedia.orgdiscoversk-ii.wixsite.comglossy.co

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

Popular Dr. Althea vs SK-II products

People Say

Dr. AltheaSK-II
  • Improves Skin Texture and Radiance Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “rich but non-greasy — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
    • “Melts instantly — Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm”
    • “skin feels soft as butter — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “gives a glass skin look — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Soothing and Gentle on Skin Mostly MentionedRarely Noted
    • “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”
    • “Great for sensitive — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
  • Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “skin feels deeply hydrated, plump, and smoother — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “Leaves skin soft, feels moisturized, does not dry out skin. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
    • “hydrating but light — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
  • Lightweight and Fast Absorbing Texture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Absorbs into the skin quickly. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
    • “Absorbs quickly — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “absorbs beautifully — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
  • Effective Daily Cleansing Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “Removes sunscreen well — Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm”
    • “great for morning routine — Dr. Althea Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser”
    • “Dissolves waterproof mascara, melts stubborn makeup, removes sunscreen easily. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
  • High Price Point Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Breakouts and Skin Irritation Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “broke me out — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
    • “gave me cystic acne — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
    • “caused tiny red bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Small bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
  • Unpleasant Scent or Fragrance 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”
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Subtle or Delayed Results Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “didn't see big difference — Dr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”

Dr. Althea vs SK-II routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Dr. Althea vs SK-II routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Dr. Althea vs SK-II routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

Dr. Althea or SK-II: which is better?

Both Dr. Althea and SK-II are great options, as Lovi rates their routines as equal for most skin types. However, Dr. Althea reaches a Superior fit level for mature skin, whereas SK-II reaches a High level for it.

What is the difference between Dr. Althea and SK-II?

Dr. Althea and SK-II both offer great routines for most skin types, but Dr. Althea has a Superior fit for mature skin while SK-II offers a High fit. Reviewers also find that Dr. Althea does better for soothing and gentle cleansing, whereas SK-II stands out for hydration and lightweight texture.

Dr. Althea or SK-II for dry skin?

Both Dr. Althea and SK-II are great options for dry skin, offering a Superior routine fit with nourishing ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid that help boost hydration. Lovi rates the routine fit for dry skin as Superior for both brands.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Dr. Althea or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

Both Dr. Althea and SK-II offer effective moisturizers, with Dr. Althea achieving a Superior Lovi fit level for acne-prone skin with its 345 Relief Cream, while SK-II delivers strong hydration through products like the Facial Treatment Essence.

Which is more affordable, Dr. Althea or SK-II?

Dr. Althea is generally more affordable, though the products on this page show that high price point is noted as a drawback for the brand.

Which brand is better for soothing and gentle skincare, Dr. Althea or SK-II?

Dr. Althea does better for soothing and gentle skincare. Reviewers frequently mention its soothing and gentle cleansers as well as soothing moisturizers.

Dr. Althea or SK-II: which brand was founded earlier?

SK-II was founded earlier in 1980 in Japan, while Dr. Althea was founded later in 2014 in South Korea.

Dr. Althea or SK-II for oily skin?

Both brands offer a High routine fit for oily skin, but Dr. Althea stands out with its Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser rated as Superior for this skin type. Reviewers also mention that Dr. Althea does better for effective daily cleansing.

Dr. Althea or SK-II for sensitive skin?

Both Dr. Althea and SK-II achieve a High Lovi fit for sensitive skin. Reviewers note that Dr. Althea stands out for its soothing and gentle cleansers.

Dr. Althea or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

Both brands offer High routine fit for acne-prone skin, with Dr. Althea featuring products like the 345 Relief Cream rated as Superior for this skin type.

Dr. Althea or SK-II for mature skin?

For mature skin, Lovi rates Dr. Althea Superior and SK-II High. Reviewers note that Dr. Althea offers soothing and gentle cleansers, while SK-II delivers strong hydration and moisture.

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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