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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 renowned Korean skincare brands that offer thoughtfully formulated serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and masks designed to nurture the complexion. While COSRX harnesses proven ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide to suit acne-prone and oily acne-prone skin best, Dr. Althea relies on soothing formulas to provide balanced hydration and calm comfort for dry and acne-prone skin. These brands differ primarily in their core ingredient philosophy, giving users distinct, reliable paths to healthier skin based on their specific concerns.

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

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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 · 99% fit

COSRX vs Dr. Althea routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% 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?

Both brands are great, but COSRX is better for deep hydration and acne control, while Dr. Althea is better for soothing sensitive skin and cleansing. COSRX fits best for acne-prone skin, oily acne-prone skin, and dry skin, whereas Dr. Althea fits best for dry skin, acne-prone skin, and mature skin.

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. Both brands were founded in South Korea and offer fragrance-free options across the products on this page.

COSRX or Dr. Althea for dry skin?

Dr. Althea provides a superior routine fit for dry skin compared to COSRX, which has a high routine fit for dry skin. Reviewers often mention that Dr. Althea offers soothing and hydrating moisturizers, whereas COSRX products on this page help deliver deep hydration and moisturization.

COSRX or Dr. Althea: which cleanser is better?

Dr. Althea does better for cleansing and lather, with reviewers mostly mentioning gentle and soothing cleansers. COSRX also offers strong options, such as the Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser which is rated Superior for sensitive, acne-prone, dry, dry sensitive, and combination skin.

Which is more affordable, COSRX or Dr. Althea?

This page does not provide pricing or affordability information to compare COSRX and Dr. Althea.

Between COSRX and Dr. Althea, which brand is better for deep hydration and moisturization?

COSRX does better for deep hydration and moisturization. The products on this page help deliver lightweight absorption and deep hydration and moisturization.

How do the fragrance ingredients compare between COSRX and Dr. Althea products?

COSRX products on this page almost entirely omit fragrance, with only one sunscreen containing it, while every Dr. Althea product on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Which brand performs better for acne and pore control according to review themes?

COSRX performs better for acne and pore control than Dr. Althea according to review themes. Reviewers note that COSRX provides effective acne control and clearing.

COSRX or Dr. Althea for oily skin?

Both COSRX and Dr. Althea provide a High routine fit for oily skin. The products on this page for both brands offer specialized options, such as COSRX featuring popular choices like the Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion with Birch Sap and Dr. Althea offering the Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser.

COSRX or Dr. Althea: which moisturizer is better?

COSRX is better for deep hydration and moisturization, whereas Dr. Althea is noted for soothing moisturizers.

COSRX or Dr. Althea for sensitive skin?

Both COSRX and Dr. Althea have a High Lovi fit level for sensitive skin, making them equally suitable choices. Reviewers note that Dr. Althea does better for soothing and calming sensitive skin, while COSRX offers products on this page that are fragrance-free in 37 of 38 formulas.

COSRX or Dr. Althea for acne-prone skin?

COSRX provides a Superior fit for acne-prone skin on the products on this page, while Dr. Althea provides a Superior fit as well, with COSRX doing better for acne and pore control. Both brands focus heavily on acne-prone skin in their routines.

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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