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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 skincare lines offering gentle cleansers, moisturizers, and makeup removers. The Korean brand features soothing formulas with ingredients like vitamin C that suit dry and acne-prone skin, while the British brand relies on niacinamide and glycerin to help with acne and dark spots. While both cater to sensitive complexions, Dr. Althea focuses on nourishing serums and targeted creams, whereas Simple is known for its accessible toners and micellar waters.

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 · 95% fit

Dr. Althea vs Simple routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 94% fit

Questions and answers

Dr. Althea or Simple: which is better?

Dr. Althea achieves a Superior routine fit for dry and acne-prone skin, whereas Simple achieves a High fit for those same skin types. Simple features key ingredients like niacinamide and glycerin, which helps with skin hydration and reducing pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

What is the difference between Dr. Althea and Simple?

Dr. Althea has a Superior routine fit for dry and acne-prone skin, whereas Simple has a High fit for those skin types. Simple features key ingredients like niacinamide and glycerin to help improve skin hydration and tone.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Dr. Althea or Simple for dry skin?

For dry skin, Lovi rates Dr. Althea as a Superior routine fit and Simple as a High routine fit. Every product on this page from both brands lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Dr. Althea or Simple: which cleanser is better?

Dr. Althea provides a better cleanser experience because its Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser achieves a Superior Lovi fit level across dry, oily, combination, and acne-prone skin types. In comparison, Simple features cleansers like the Refreshing Facial Wash that generally attain only an Average Lovi fit level for these skin types.

Which is more affordable, Dr. Althea or Simple?

Simple is more affordable than Dr. Althea, as its review themes highlight an affordable price point.

Between Dr. Althea and Simple, which brand is better for soothing and calming the skin?

Dr. Althea is better than Simple for soothing and calming the skin, according to reviewers on this page. Review themes show that Dr. Althea outperforms Simple specifically on soothing and calming.

Which skincare brand provides lightweight and fast-absorbing products, Dr. Althea or Simple?

Simple does better for lightweight and fast-absorbing products according to reviewer feedback on this page.

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

Dr. Althea was founded in 2014 in South Korea and is owned by The Pure Lab Co., Ltd., whereas Simple was founded in 1960 in the United Kingdom and has been owned by Unilever PLC since 2011.

Dr. Althea or Simple for oily skin?

For oily skin, Dr. Althea has a High routine fit and Simple has a High routine fit, making them equal. Dr. Althea features the Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser with a Superior fit for oily skin, while Simple offers key ingredients like niacinamide and glycerin across its products on this page.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Dr. Althea or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

Dr. Althea provides a better overall moisturizer option on this page because its 345 Relief Cream achieves a Superior Lovi fit level for acne-prone skin compared to the Average fit of Simple moisturizers. Glycerin is featured across Simple products, which helps maintain hydration.

Dr. Althea or Simple for sensitive skin?

Dr. Althea has a High Lovi fit for sensitive skin, matching Simple's High fit level. Reviewers note that both brands offer gentle formulas, while Dr. Althea's products on this page list no fragrance and provide soothing and calming benefits.

Dr. Althea or Simple for acne-prone skin?

Dr. Althea is a better fit for acne-prone skin, achieving a Superior routine fit compared to Simple's High level.

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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