Dr. Althea and Galderma are distinct skincare brands offering specialized solutions for various complex skin needs. The Korean creator features thoughtful moisturizers, gentle cleansers, effective makeup removers, and nourishing serums driven by soothing formulas, while the Swiss counterpart focuses on targeted serums. Both brands suit acne-prone skin best, though the former additionally accommodates dry skin and mature skin with items like the Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser, 345 Relief Cream, and Vitamin C Boosting Serum, whereas the latter addresses acne and dark spots through the Epiduo Gel and Benzac formulations. Ultimately, they differ through the former's diverse hydrating and calming lineup versus the latter's specialized gel treatments.
Dr. Althea is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2014 and owned by The Pure Lab Co., Ltd..
doctoraltheaglobal.com doctoralthea.co.kr
Galderma is a Swiss skincare brand founded in 1981 and owned by Galderma Group AG.
en.wikipedia.org
This page compares some of the most popular Dr. Althea and Galderma products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app .
Popular Dr. Althea vs Galderma products
People Say
Dr. Althea Galderma
+ Gentle Formula
Mostly Mentioned Sometimes 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” “didn't burn my face — Galderma Benzac AC Mild Strength 2.5% Acne Gel”
+ Acne Clearance and Prevention
Not noted Mostly Mentioned
“cleared up my skin — Galderma Benzac AC Mild Strength 2.5% Acne Gel” “cystic acne gone — Galderma Epiduo Gel” “stops new pimples — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
+ Lightweight and Pleasant Texture
Mostly Mentioned Not noted
“absorbs beautifully — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream” “rich but non-greasy — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream” “Melts instantly — Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm”
+ Soothing and Calming
Mostly Mentioned Not 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”
+ Hydration and Moisture
Often Mentioned Not noted
“hydrating but light — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream” “consistently hydrated mornings — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream” “feels hydrated — Dr. Althea Amino Gel Cleanser”
+ Skin Texture Improvement
Rarely Noted Sometimes Noted
“skin feels smooth — Galderma Epiduo Gel” “faded acne scars — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
– Severe Burning and Dryness
Not noted Mostly Mentioned
“face on fire — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
– Causes Breakouts and Purging
Sometimes Noted Mostly 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” “got worse first — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
– Redness and Irritation
Not noted Mostly Mentioned
“red as tomato — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
– Bleaches Fabrics
Not noted Mostly Mentioned
“bleached my towel — Galderma Benzac AC 5”
Questions and answers
Dr. Althea or Galderma: which is better?
What is the difference between Dr. Althea and Galderma?
Dr. Althea provides gentle and soothing hydration with a High to Superior Lovi fit for dry and acne-prone skin, whereas Galderma offers effective acne-clearing serums that may cause severe dryness and peeling. Reviewers note that Galderma excels at acne clearance and skin texture improvement, while Dr. Althea performs better for gentle formulas and soothing care.
Dermatologic Therapy, 2022 Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016
Which is more affordable, Dr. Althea or Galderma?
The provided page facts do not mention the prices of products from either Dr. Althea or Galderma, so it is not possible to determine which brand is more affordable.
Which causes fewer breakouts, Dr. Althea or Galderma?
Galderma is better for acne clearance, while the products on this page by Dr. Althea sometimes cause breakouts and reviewers note that Dr. Althea has a weakness for causing breakouts and purging.
Which brand has more fragrance-free products, Dr. Althea or Galderma?
Both brands offer fragrance-free options, as every product on this page for both Dr. Althea and Galderma lists no fragrance in its ingredients.
How do the founding years and countries of origin compare between Dr. Althea and Galderma?
Dr. Althea was founded in 2014 in South Korea, whereas Galderma was founded earlier in 1981 in Switzerland.
Which brand offers better soothing and calming benefits according to reviewer themes?
Dr. Althea does better for soothing and calming according to reviewer themes, while Galderma focuses more on acne clearance and prevention.
2 more questions
Research behind their key ingredients
The effect of niacinamide on reducing cutaneous pigmentation and suppression of melanosome transfer
Niacinamide · The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002 Benefits of topical hyaluronic acid for skin quality and signs of skin aging: From literature review to clinical evidence
Hyaluronic acid · Dermatologic Therapy, 2022 Topical use of dexpanthenol in skin disorders
Panthenol · American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002 Anti-aging and brightening effects of a topical treatment containing vitamin C, vitamin E, and raspberry leaf cell culture extract: A split-face, randomized controlled trial
Tocopherol, Ascorbic acid · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020 Moisturizing and Antiinflammatory Properties of Cosmetic Formulations Containing Centella asiatica Extract
Centella asiatica, Centella asiatica extract · Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016
42 more studies
Topical Application of Centella asiatica in Wound Healing: Recent Insights into Mechanisms and Clinical Efficacy
Centella asiatica · Pharmaceutics, 2024 Alteration of barrier properties, stratum corneum ceramides and microbiome composition in response to lotion application on cosmetic dry skin
Ceramide · Scientific Reports, 2022 Topical benzoyl peroxide for acne
Benzoyl peroxide, Benzoyl peroxide 25mg g · The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020 Ceramide 1 and ceramide 3 act synergistically on skin hydration and the transepidermal water loss of sodium lauryl sulfate-irritated skin
Ceramide np · International Journal of Dermatology, 2008 Effect of a topical antioxidant serum containing vitamin C, vitamin E, and ferulic acid after Q-switched 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser for treatment of environment-induced skin pigmentation
Ascorbic acid, Tocopherol · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020 Clinical, biometric and structural evaluation of the long-term effects of a topical treatment with ascorbic acid and madecassoside in photoaged human skin
Centella asiatica leaf extract · Experimental Dermatology, 2008 Design, characterization, and clinical evaluation of argan oil nanostructured lipid carriers to improve skin hydration
Argania spinosa kernel oil · International Journal of Nanomedicine, 2014 The 24-hour skin hydration and barrier function effects of a hyaluronic 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract moisturizing fluid: an intra-subject, randomized, assessor-blinded study
Glycerin · Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017 Randomized controlled study for the anti-aging effect of human adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cell media combined with niacinamide after laser therapy
Niacinamide · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021 The Effects of a Standardized Extract of Centella asiatica on Postlaser Resurfacing Wound Healing on the Face: A Split-Face, Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Madecassoside · Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2020 Prevention and Reduction of Atrophic Acne Scars with Adapalene 0.3%/Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5% Gel in Subjects with Moderate or Severe Facial Acne: Results of a 6-Month Randomized, Vehicle-Controlled Trial Using Intra-Individual Comparison
Adapalene · American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2018 Benzoyl peroxide treatment decreases Cutibacterium acnes in shoulder surgery, from skin incision until wound closure
Benzoyl peroxide, Benzoyl peroxide 25mg g · Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, 2021 Efficacy and Safety of a Fixed-Dose Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2%, Benzoyl Peroxide 3.1%, and Adapalene 0.15% Gel for Moderate-to-Severe Acne: A Randomized Phase II Study of the First Triple-Combination Drug
Benzoyl peroxide, Benzoyl peroxide 25mg g · American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2022 A new topical panthenol-containing emollient: Results from two randomized controlled studies assessing its skin moisturization and barrier restoration potential, and the effect on skin microflora
Panthenol · The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017 Adenosine-loaded dissolving microneedle patches to improve skin wrinkles, dermal density, elasticity and hydration
Adenosine · International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2018 A topical gel of tea tree oil nanoemulsion containing adapalene versus adapalene marketed gel in patients with acne vulgaris: a randomized clinical trial
Adapalene · Archives of Dermatological Research, 2022 Efficacy of a topical gel containing chitosan, chlorhexidine, allantoin and dexpanthenol for pain and inflammation control after third molar surgery: A randomized and placebo-controlled clinical trial
Allantoin · Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2020 Development of Multifunctional Cosmetic Cream Using Bioactive Materials from Streptomyces sp. T65 with Synthesized Mesoporous Silica Particles SBA-15
Silicon dioxide · Antioxidants, 2020 Systematic Study of Paeonol/Madecassoside Co-Delivery Nanoemulsion Transdermal Delivery System for Enhancing Barrier Repair and Anti-Inflammatory Efficacy
Centella asiatica, Centella asiatica leaf extract, Paeonia albiflora flower extract, Centella asiatica extract · Molecules, 2023 A Lipid Mixture Enriched by Ceramide NP with Fatty Acids of Diverse Chain Lengths Contributes to Restore the Skin Barrier Function Impaired by Topical Corticosteroid
Ceramide np · Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2022 Formulating octyl methoxycinnamate in hybrid lipid-silica nanoparticles: An innovative approach for UV skin protection
Silicon dioxide · Heliyon, 2020 Efficacy and safety of moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese versus 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in decreasing adverse reaction and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing: A split-face, double-blinded, randomized, controlled trial
Centella asiatica leaf extract · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019 Clindamycin phosphate 1.2%/adapalene 0.15%/benzoyl peroxide 3.1% gel for moderate-to-severe acne: Efficacy and safety results from two randomized phase 3 trials
Adapalene · Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2023 Efficacy and safety of microencapsulated benzoyl peroxide and microencapsulated tretinoin for the treatment of acne vulgaris: Results from two phase 3 double-blind, randomized, vehicle-controlled studies
Benzoyl peroxide, Benzoyl peroxide 25mg g · Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2023 Semi-Solid Dosage Forms Containing Pranoprofen-Loaded NLC as Topical Therapy for Local Inflammation: In Vitro, Ex Vivo and In Vivo Evaluation
Carbomer 940 · Gels, 2023 Whitening effect of alpha-bisabolol in Asian women subjects
Bisabolol · International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2010 Two-phase delivery using a horse oil and adenosine-loaded dissolving microneedle patch for skin barrier restoration, moisturization, and wrinkle improvement
Adenosine · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019 Development of solid lipid microparticles (SLMs) containing asiatic acid for topical treatment of acne: Characterization, stability, in vitro and in vivo anti-acne assessment
Centella asiatica leaf extract · International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2024 Clinical Development and Evaluation of a Multi-Component Dissolving Microneedle Patch for Skin Pigmentation Disorders
3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid · Polymers, 2023 Moisturizing effect of serine-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles and polysaccharide-rich extract of root Phragmites communis incorporated in hydrogel bases
Serine · Archives of Pharmacal Research, 2017 Formulation of Ascorbic Acid and Betaine-based Therapeutic Deep Eutectic System for Enhanced Transdermal Delivery of Ascorbic Acid
3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid ascorbic acid · Pharmaceutics, 2024 Combined Skin Moisturization of Liposomal Serine Incorporated in Hydrogels Prepared with Carbopol ETD 2020, Rhesperse RM 100 and Hyaluronic Acid
Serine · The Korean Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology, 2015 Why is sodium cocoyl isethionate (SCI) mild to the skin barrier? - An in vitro investigation based on the relative sizes of the SCI micelles and the skin aqueous pores
Sodium cocoyl isethionate · Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2007 Evaluation of the Efficacy and Safety of a Panthenol-Enriched Mask for Skin Barrier Recovery After Facial Laser Treatment: Results of a Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Study
Panthenol · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025 Translational Evaluation of a Disodium Adenosine Monophosphate (AMP2Na)-Based Topical Formulation for Physiology-Aligned Skin Rejuvenation: Integrated In Vitro, Ex Vivo, and Clinical Evidence
Adenosine · International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2026 Effect of isosecotanapartholide isolated from Artemisia princeps Pampanini on IL‑33 production and STAT‑1 activation in HaCaT keratinocytes
Artemisia princeps leaf extract · Molecular Medicine Reports, 2017 Development and efficacy assessments of tea seed oil makeup remover
Camellia sinensis seed oil · Annales Pharmaceutiques Francaises, 2017 Effect of an Emollient Emulsion Containing 15.0% of Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride on the Urocanic Acid of the Stratum Corneum
Caprylic capric triglyceride · Life, 2023 Effects of fermented tea seed oil on the skin lipid barrier and microbiome of sensitive skin
Camellia sinensis seed oil · International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2026 Efficacy and safety of combination cream of stimu-tex AS™ (spent grain wax, Argania Spinosa Kernel oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (shea butter) extract), and saccharide isomerate after fractional CO2 laser procedure: split-face, double blinded, randomized controlled trial
Argania spinosa kernel oil · Lasers in Medical Science, 2025 Clinical Evaluation of a Soap-Free Cleansing Lotion Containing Sodium Cocoyl Apple Amino Acids for Effective Impurity Removal and Skin Barrier Preservation in Healthy Adults With Diverse Skin Types
Sodium cocoyl apple amino acids · Cureus, 2025 Efficacy of a Topical Formulation on Skin Hydration and Barrier Function in Individuals With Xerosis: A 28-Day Randomized, Split-Leg, Untreated-Controlled Trial
Dipotassium glycyrrhizate · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026
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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
Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
Aishani Shah, MD
Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
Asya Zubkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
Hanna Kurets, MD
Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist