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Dr. Althea vs Hada Labo

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

Dr. Althea and Hada Labo are celebrated Asian skincare brands that offer thoughtful moisturizers, gentle cleansers, makeup removers, and nourishing serums driven by soothing formulas and advanced science. Both brands suit dry skin and acne-prone skin best, providing balanced hydration and calm comfort to support a healthy skin barrier without clogging pores. While Dr. Althea delivers standout solutions like the Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser, the 345 Relief Cream, and the Vitamin C Boosting Serum, the brand relies on Korean skincare traditions. In contrast, Hada Labo features options such as the Gokujyun Lotion, the Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion, and the Gokujun Premium, applying Japanese formulation to restore essential moisture and address dark spots or mature skin.

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

doctoraltheaglobal.comdoctoralthea.co.kr

Hada Labo is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 2004 and owned by Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd..

en.wikipedia.orghadalabosa.co.zahadalabotokyo.pl

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

Popular Dr. Althea vs Hada Labo products

People Say

Dr. AltheaHada Labo
  • Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin drinks it up — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
    • “Plumps fine lines — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
    • “leaves skin soft, smooth, and hydrated — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
    • “hydrating but light — 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”
    • “never stings my sensitive skin — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
  • 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”
    • “calms my redness — Hada Labo Premium Whitening Lotion (Light)”
  • Lightweight and Fast Absorbing Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “absorbs beautifully — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
    • “absorbs quickly — Dr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum”
    • “absorbs super quickly — Hada Labo Premium Whitening Lotion (Light)”
    • “absorbs super quickly — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
  • Skin Texture and Brightening Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “faded considerably — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
    • “Makes my skin plump and hydrating. — Hada Labo Gokujyun Perfect Gel”
    • “faded my PIH considerably — Hada Labo Premium Whitening Lotion (Light)”
    • “faded dark spots — Dr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum”
  • Pleasant Texture Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “rich but non-greasy — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
    • “Melts instantly — Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm”
    • “foams up well — Dr. Althea Amino Gel Cleanser”
    • “Thick serum-like — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
  • Sticky or Tacky Finish Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “leaves a tacky film — Dr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum”
    • “Tacky residue — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
  • Causes Breakouts and Clogging Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “broke me out — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
    • “gave me cystic acne — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
    • “broke me out badly — Dr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum”
    • “gave me tiny bumps — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
  • Insufficient Moisture Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “not enough for dry skin — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
    • “not enough for dry patches — Hada Labo Premium Whitening Lotion (Light)”

Dr. Althea vs Hada Labo routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Dr. Althea vs Hada Labo routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Dr. Althea vs Hada Labo routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

Dr. Althea or Hada Labo: which is better?

Hada Labo is better for hydration, skin texture, and brightening, while Dr. Althea is better for gentleness and soothing formulas. Reviewers note that Hada Labo provides deep hydration and reliable toners, whereas Dr. Althea offers gentle cleansers and soothing moisturizers.

What is the difference between Dr. Althea and Hada Labo?

Hada Labo is better for deep hydration and brightening with hyaluronic acid, while Dr. Althea is better for soothing formulas and gentle cleansing. Hada Labo achieves a Superior routine fit for oily, combination, mature, and dark-spot skin, whereas Dr. Althea matches it only on dry and acne-prone skin.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Dr. Althea or Hada Labo for dry skin?

Both Dr. Althea and Hada Labo achieve a Superior routine fit for dry skin on this page. Hada Labo is particularly noted for deep hydration and moisturization with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, while Dr. Althea offers gentle cleansers and soothing moisturizers.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Dr. Althea or Hada Labo: which moisturizer is better?

Hada Labo is better for hydration and moisture, while Dr. Althea is better for soothing and calming dry skin. Reviewers note that Hada Labo provides deep hydration, whereas Dr. Althea offers soothing moisturizers that may help with irritation. Both brands feature fragrance-free formulations across the products on this page.

Which is more affordable, Dr. Althea or Hada Labo?

The provided page facts do not contain pricing information, so a comparison of affordability between Dr. Althea and Hada Labo cannot be made.

Between Dr. Althea and Hada Labo, which brand performs better for soothing and calming sensitive skin?

Dr. Althea performs better for soothing and calming sensitive skin, as its products on this page are rated High for sensitive skin and the brand is noted for soothing and calming formulations. Hada Labo is also fragrance-free, but Dr. Althea is preferred by reviewers for soothing care.

Which brand has a sticky or tacky finish according to reviewer feedback, Dr. Althea or Hada Labo?

According to reviewer feedback, Hada Labo is the brand that has a sticky or tacky finish.

How do the founding years and parent companies of Dr. Althea and Hada Labo compare?

Dr. Althea was founded in 2014 in South Korea and is owned by The Pure Lab Co., Ltd., whereas Hada Labo was founded a decade earlier in 2004 in Japan and is owned by Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Dr. Althea or Hada Labo for oily skin?

Hada Labo is a better fit for oily skin, achieving a Superior routine fit compared to Dr. Althea's High level. Reviewers often mention Hada Labo for its lightweight and fast-absorbing toners.

Dr. Althea or Hada Labo for acne-prone skin?

Both Dr. Althea and Hada Labo fit acne-prone skin well, with Lovi routine fits at the Superior level for both brands. Reviewers note that Hada Labo provides deep hydration and moisturization, while Dr. Althea offers gentle and soothing cleansers and moisturizers.

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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