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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 established skincare brands offering gentle moisturizers, cleansers, and makeup removers designed to support delicate barriers. Dr. Althea suits dry and mature skin best with soothing hydration, while Simple favors oily, acne-prone, and sensitive skin through formulations featuring nourishing niacinamide and glycerin. These brands differ primarily in their regional heritage, foundational years, and targeted ingredient profiles that address specific complexion needs.

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

Buy Dr. Althea routine · S$125.10 · 91% fitBuy Simple routine · S$261.94 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Dr. Althea vs Simple routines for oily skin

Buy Dr. Althea routine · S$322.85 · 88% fitBuy Simple routine · S$459.69 · 85% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Dr. Althea vs Simple routines for combination skin

Buy Dr. Althea routine · S$219.15 · 88% fitBuy Simple routine · S$355.99 · 85% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

Dr. Althea or Simple: which is better?

Dr. Althea has a Superior routine fit for dry and mature skin, while Simple fits best for oily acne-prone, sensitive, and acne-prone skin. Reviewers note that Simple offers lightweight, value-friendly moisturizers, whereas Dr. Althea provides soothing and hydrating moisturizers.

What is the difference between Dr. Althea and Simple?

Dr. Althea does better for soothing and calming as well as skin texture and tone, while Simple does better for a lightweight and fast-absorbing feel and an affordable price point. Lovi rates Dr. Althea as Superior for dry and mature skin routines, whereas Simple achieves a High fit level for those skin types.

Dr. Althea or Simple for dry skin?

Dr. Althea is a better fit for dry skin, earning a Superior routine fit compared to Simple, which has a High fit. Reviewers note that Dr. Althea offers soothing and hydrating moisturizers, and every product on this page lists no fragrance.

Dr. Althea or Simple: which cleanser is better?

For cleansers on this page, Dr. Althea has products with a Superior Lovi fit level for oily, combination, acne-prone, and dry skin, whereas Simple cleansers on this page have an Average Lovi fit level for those skin types.

Which is more affordable, Dr. Althea or Simple?

Simple is more affordable, as it is noted for an affordable price point compared to Dr. Althea on the products on this page.

Which brand performs better for soothing and calming?

Dr. Althea performs better for soothing and calming than Simple. Reviewers note that Dr. Althea's products on this page are especially strong for soothing moisturizers and cleansers.

Which brand has fragrance-free products?

Both Dr. Althea and Simple offer fragrance-free options, as every product on this page for both brands lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Dr. Althea or Simple for oily skin?

For oily skin, both Dr. Althea and Simple are good choices because Lovi rates their routines as High. The products on this page from Simple feature niacinamide and glycerin, while Dr. Althea offers cleansers like the Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser that Lovi rates as Superior for oily skin.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Dr. Althea or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

Dr. Althea is generally better for moisturizers because Lovi rates its 345 Relief Cream at a Superior fit for acne-prone skin, compared to an Average fit for Simple moisturizers. Reviewers also note that Dr. Althea offers soothing and hydrating moisturizers, whereas Simple moisturizers sometimes lack sufficient hydration or moisture.

Dr. Althea or Simple for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, both brands work well, with Lovi giving Dr. Althea a High fit level and Simple a High fit level as well. Reviewers frequently mention that the products on this page for both brands offer gentle and sensitive-skin-friendly options.

Dr. Althea or Simple for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, Dr. Althea gets a High fit level from Lovi while Simple gets an Average fit level. Reviewers mention that Dr. Althea offers soothing and gentle cleansers, whereas Simple sometimes causes breakouts or irritations.

Dr. Althea or Simple for mature skin?

For mature skin, Lovi rates Dr. Althea as Superior and Simple as High. Reviewers note that Dr. Althea offers soothing and calming benefits as well as improvements in skin texture and tone.

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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