Dr. Althea vs Avène
Dr. Althea and Avène are skincare brands known for gentle moisturizers, cleansers, and serums, with the former featuring nourishing formulas and the latter utilizing glycerin. The Korean brand suits dry and mature skin best with soothing hydration, while the French brand suits oily, acne-prone, and combination skin best. Both offer targeted solutions for specific concerns, yet they differ in their foundational ingredients and regional origins.
Dr. Althea is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2014 and owned by The Pure Lab Co., Ltd..
doctoraltheaglobal.comdoctoralthea.co.kr
Avène is a French skincare brand founded in 1990 and owned by Fondation Pierre Fabre.
pierre-fabre.comavene.co.ukaveneusa.com
This page compares some of the most popular Dr. Althea and Avène products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Dr. Althea vs Avène products
People Say
Gentle Formula 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”
- “leaves face clean but not dry — Avène Cleanance”
Soothing and Calming Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
- “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”
- “Calmed my angry red skin overnight — Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream”
Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “hydrating but light — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
- “consistently hydrated mornings — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
- “Restores moisture barrier — Avène Cold Cream”
- “Leaves my skin feeling soft and hydrated. — Avène Milk Cleanser”
Lightweight and Fast Absorbing Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “absorbs beautifully — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
- “absorbs quickly — Dr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum”
- “absorbs very quickly — Avène Vitamin Activ Cg Radiance Concentrated Serum”
- “Absorbs into skin without residue. — Avène Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm”
Pleasant Texture Often MentionedRarely 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 but absorbs well eventually — Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream”
Repairs Skin Barrier Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “strengthened my skin barrier — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
- “Healed my over-exfoliated skin in days — Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream”
- “This repairs my skin barrier without fail. — Avène Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm”
Unpleasant Scent Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “clinical scent — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
- “prominent acidic hint — Dr. Althea Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser”
- “smells a bit odd — Dr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum”
- “The fragrance is very present. — Avène Milk Cleanser”
Causes Breakouts Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “broke me out — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
- “gave me cystic acne — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
- “Woke up with tiny whiteheads all over — Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream”
- “Caused small bumps/texture — Avène Soothing Radiance Mask”
Dr. Althea vs Avène routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$22.31
-
Hydrating Toner
COSRX Propolis Synergy Toner
Morning
S$41.07
-
Moisturizer
345 Relief Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$29.47
-
SPF
thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen SPF 50+
Morning
S$21.09
-
Pre-Cleanser
Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
S$25.00
-
Serum or Treatment
Vitamin C Boosting Serum
Evening · Once a week
S$29.86
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Collagen Essential Mask
Once a week
S$62.94
-
Cleanser
Cleanance Cleansing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$27.51
-
Hydrating Toner
COSRX Propolis Synergy Toner
Morning
S$41.07
-
Moisturizer
Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$50.68
-
SPF
Cleanance
Morning
S$27.51
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
S$39.68
-
Serum or Treatment
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
Evening · Once a week
S$63.44
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Collagen Essential Mask
Once a week
S$62.94
Buy Dr. Althea routine · S$125.10 · 91% fit
Buy Avène routine · S$285.32 · 79% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit
Dr. Althea vs Avène routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$22.31
-
Hydrating Toner
TROIAREUKE H+Cocktail Purifying Ampoule Toner
Morning · Once a week
S$168.51
-
Moisturizer
345 Relief Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$29.47
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
S$28.72
-
Pre-Cleanser
Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
S$25.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening · Once a week
S$36.48
-
Serum or Treatment
Vitamin C Boosting Serum
Evening · Once a week
S$29.86
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
S$89.14
-
Cleanser
Cleanance Cleansing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$27.51
-
Hydrating Toner
TROIAREUKE H+Cocktail Purifying Ampoule Toner
Morning · Once a week
S$168.51
-
Moisturizer
Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$26.35
-
SPF
Cleanance
Morning
S$27.51
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
S$70.21
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening · Once a week
S$36.48
-
Serum or Treatment
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
Evening · Once a week
S$63.44
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
S$89.14
Buy Dr. Althea routine · S$322.85 · 88% fit
Buy Avène routine · S$455.29 · 86% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
Dr. Althea vs Avène routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Cleanance Cleansing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$27.51
-
Hydrating Toner
Whamisa Organic Flowers Toner Deep Rich
Morning · Once a week
S$64.81
-
Moisturizer
Hyaluron Activ B3 Concentrated Plumping Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$58.98
-
SPF
Cleanance
Morning
S$27.51
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
S$70.21
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening · Once a week
S$36.48
-
Serum or Treatment
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
Evening · Once a week
S$63.44
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
S$89.14
-
Cleanser
Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$22.31
-
Hydrating Toner
Whamisa Organic Flowers Toner Deep Rich
Morning · Once a week
S$64.81
-
Moisturizer
345 Relief Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$29.47
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
S$28.72
-
Pre-Cleanser
Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
S$25.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening · Once a week
S$36.48
-
Serum or Treatment
Vitamin C Boosting Serum
Evening · Once a week
S$29.86
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
S$89.14
Buy Avène routine · S$410.57 · 90% fit
Buy Dr. Althea routine · S$219.15 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Questions and answers
Dr. Althea or Avène: which is better?
Dr. Althea provides superior choices for dry and mature skin, while Avène offers superior options for combination and acne-prone skin. Reviewers note that Dr. Althea excels in gentle formulas, soothing properties, and pleasant textures, whereas Avène features strong options like thermal spring water with an average routine fit for dry sensitive skin.
What is the difference between Dr. Althea and Avène?
Dr. Althea offers a gentle formula and pleasant texture that makes it better for sensitive skin, while Avène provides effective oil control and is superior for acne-prone skin.
Dr. Althea or Avène for dry skin?
For dry skin, Lovi finds that Dr. Althea has a Superior routine fit while Avène has a High routine fit. The products on this page from Dr. Althea are all free of added fragrance, whereas several Avène products contain fragrance.
Dr. Althea or Avène: which cleanser is better?
Dr. Althea is better for cleansers on this page because every product lists no fragrance and reviewers mention gentle and soothing formulas, whereas Avène includes some cleansers with fragrance and some lower fit levels for dry and sensitive skin. For Lovi fit, the Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser has a Superior fit for oily, combination, acne-prone, and dry skin.
Which is more affordable, Dr. Althea or Avène?
Reviewers note that price point is a sometimes-noted concern for Avène, whereas Dr. Althea does not share this pricing feedback on the page.
How do Dr. Althea and Avène compare for routine fit in dry sensitive skin?
For dry sensitive skin, Dr. Althea achieves a High routine fit while Avène reaches an Average fit. The products on this page for Dr. Althea list no fragrance, which helps minimize potential irritation for sensitive skin types.
Which brand performs better for mature skin routines, Dr. Althea or Avène?
Dr. Althea performs better for mature skin routines, achieving a Superior routine fit compared to Avène's High fit level. The products on this page from Dr. Althea are well-reviewed for offering soothing and hydrating moisturizers, helping mature skin types maintain moisture.
How do the fragrance options differ between Dr. Althea and Avène products?
Dr. Althea has no fragrance listed in the ingredients for every product on this page. In contrast, 7 of the 15 Avène products on this page list fragrance.
Dr. Althea or Avène for oily skin?
For oily skin, both Dr. Althea and Avène are good choices, as Lovi rates both brands' routines as High for this skin type. Reviewers note that Avène provides effective oil control, while Dr. Althea features gentle cleansers and soothing moisturizers.
Dr. Althea or Avène: which moisturizer is better?
When comparing moisturizers, Dr. Althea features options like the 345 Relief Cream that Lovi rates as Superior for acne-prone skin, while Avène offers specialized items such as the Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm which achieves a Superior fit for dry skin. Reviewers note that Dr. Althea provides soothing moisturizers, whereas Avène products frequently help soothe skin irritation. Both brands maintain fragrance-free formulas in selected moisturizers to help minimize potential sensitivity.
Dr. Althea or Avène for sensitive skin?
For sensitive skin, both brands achieve a High Lovi fit level. The products on this page from Dr. Althea are all fragrance-free, whereas some Avène products contain fragrance.
Dr. Althea or Avène for acne-prone skin?
For acne-prone skin, Avène has a Superior routine fit, while Dr. Althea has a High routine fit on this page.
Research behind their key ingredients
Molecular basis of retinol anti-ageing properties in naturally aged human skin in vivo
An oil-soluble extract of Rubus idaeus cells enhances hydration and water homeostasis in skin cells
Comparative benefit of two thermal spring waters after photodynamic therapy procedure
Comparison of methods for assessing photoprotection against ultraviolet A in vivo
Development and efficacy assessments of tea seed oil makeup remover
Effects of fermented tea seed oil on the skin lipid barrier and microbiome of sensitive skin
Treatment with Ascorbyl Glucoside-Arginine Complex Ameliorates Solar Lentigos
Retrospective Review of Dermal Safety Studies of Organic Sunscreens
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.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-

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
-

Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-

Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-

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
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