Medicube vs Dr. Althea
Medicube and Dr. Althea are two respected Korean skincare brands offering thoughtfully formulated moisturizers, serums, toners, and masks. The brand founded in 2016 utilizes key ingredients like niacinamide, collagen, and hyaluronic acid to suit dry and oily acne-prone skin best, while the 2014 counterpart features gentle, nourishing formulas that cater primarily to dry and mature skin. Both provide targeted solutions for concerns such as dark spots and aging, differing mainly in their specialized active ingredients and the specific skin types they prioritize.
Medicube is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2016 and owned by APR Corp..
medicubereviews.co.ukglossy.co
Dr. Althea is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2014 and owned by The Pure Lab Co., Ltd..
doctoraltheaglobal.comdoctoralthea.co.kr
This page compares some of the most popular Medicube and Dr. Althea products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Medicube vs Dr. Althea products
People Say
Soothing and Gentle Formulas Often 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”
- “refreshing sensation — Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Gel Mask”
Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
- “skin feels bouncier and hydrated — Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum”
- “glass skin — Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Gel Mask”
- “woke up with baby soft skin — Medicube Collagen Jelly Cream”
- “hydrating but light — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
Cleansing and Pores Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “absorbs beautifully — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
- “foam is rich and creamy — Dr. Althea Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser”
- “absorbs quickly — Dr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum”
- “Pores drastically reduced — Medicube Zero Foam Cleanser”
Texture and Smoothness Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “rich but non-greasy — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
- “Melts instantly — Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm”
- “faded acne scars — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
- “gives my skin a smooth, glass-like finish — Medicube Zero Pore Pad”
Unique Application & Features Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “feels amazing and cooling — Medicube Zero Pore Blackhead Mud Mask”
- “dries super fast — Medicube Zero Pore Blackhead Mud Mask”
- “active breakouts look less inflamed — Medicube Red Succinic Acid Peeling Pad”
- “Innovative dial mechanism — Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm”
Glow and Brightening Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “gave me instant glass skin — Medicube Collagen Jelly Cream”
- “woke up with glowing skin — Medicube Collagen Night Wrapping Mask”
- “Dark spots go away faster — Medicube Deep Vita C Pad”
- “faded dark spots — Dr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum”
Packaging and Application Issues Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “messy — Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Gel Mask”
- “lifted around the nose/eyes — Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Gel Mask”
- “Hard to see remaining amount — Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm”
- “Struggles with waterproof mascara — Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm”
Stickiness and Heavy Residue Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “too nourishing for combo skin — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
- “left a moisturizing film — Dr. Althea Amino Gel Cleanser”
- “leaves a tacky film — Dr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum”
- “hair sticks to my face — Medicube Collagen Jelly Cream”
Acne and Breakouts Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “caused redness and sensitivity — Medicube Zero Pore Pad”
- “woke up with whiteheads — Medicube Collagen Night Wrapping Mask”
- “broke me out — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
- “gave me cystic acne — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
Price and Quantity Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “tube is tiny for the price — Medicube Collagen Night Wrapping Mask”
- “price is steep — Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Gel Mask”
- “Runs out fast — Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm”
- “a bit pricey — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
Medicube vs Dr. Althea routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
Zero Foam Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$25.74
-
Hydrating Toner
Triple Collagen Toner
Morning
S$41.00
-
Moisturizer
AGE-R Booster Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$28.12
-
SPF
thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen SPF 50+
Morning
S$21.09
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
S$39.68
-
Serum or Treatment
One Day Exosome Shot 2000
Evening · Once a week
S$30.69
-
Nourishing Mask
Deep Peptide Radiance Mask
Once a week
S$3.85
-
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
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Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Collagen Essential Mask
Once a week
S$62.94
Buy Medicube routine · S$127.51 · 91% fit
Buy Dr. Althea routine · S$125.10 · 91% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit
Medicube vs Dr. Althea routines for oily skin
-
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
Red Foam Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$47.21
-
Hydrating Toner
Triple Collagen Toner
Morning · Once a week
S$41.00
-
Moisturizer
AGE-R Booster Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$28.12
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
S$28.72
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
S$70.21
-
Cleansing Toner
Zero Pore Pad
Evening · Once a week
S$36.48
-
Cleansing Mask
Zero Pore Blackhead Mud Mask
Once a week
S$25.68
Buy Dr. Althea routine · S$322.85 · 88% fit
Buy Medicube routine · S$223.62 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
Medicube vs Dr. Althea routines for combination skin
-
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
-
Cleanser
Red Foam Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$47.21
-
Hydrating Toner
Triple Collagen Toner
Morning · Once a week
S$41.00
-
Moisturizer
AGE-R Booster Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$28.12
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
S$28.72
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
S$70.21
-
Cleansing Toner
Zero Pore Pad
Evening · Once a week
S$36.48
-
Cleansing Mask
Zero Pore Blackhead Mud Mask
Once a week
S$25.68
Buy Dr. Althea routine · S$219.15 · 88% fit
Buy Medicube routine · S$223.62 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Questions and answers
Medicube or Dr. Althea: which is better?
Medicube is better for hydration, glow, and brightening, while Dr. Althea does better with soothing, gentle formulas, cleansing, and skin texture. Both brands achieve equal routine fit levels for dry, oily, combination, sensitive, acne-prone, dark spot, dry sensitive, and oily acne-prone skin, but Dr. Althea has a Superior fit for mature skin compared to Medicube's High fit.
What is the difference between Medicube and Dr. Althea?
Medicube and Dr. Althea are both South Korean skincare brands offering products that fit dry, oily, and acne-prone skin well, but Medicube excels more in hydration and glow while Dr. Althea stands out for its soothing, gentle formulas and cleansing options. Medicube also features a wider range of targeted treatments like exosome shots and peptide eye creams, whereas Dr. Althea keeps its entire page fragrance-free.
Medicube or Dr. Althea for dry skin?
Both Medicube and Dr. Althea are a Superior fit for dry skin. The products on this page for Medicube feature deep hydration moisturizers, while Dr. Althea offers soothing moisturizers.
Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Dermatology Practical & Conceptual, 2022
Medicube or Dr. Althea: which cleanser is better?
Dr. Althea does better for soothing and gentle formulas and for cleansing and pores, offering products on this page like the Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser with a Superior Lovi fit level for oily, combination, acne-prone, and dry skin.
Which is more affordable, Medicube or Dr. Althea?
Both brands have small quantity and pricing issues according to reviewers on this page.
Between Medicube and Dr. Althea, which brand has fragrance in some of its products?
Medicube has fragrance in some of its products, as two out of twenty-five items on this page list fragrance in their ingredients. In contrast, every product from Dr. Althea on this page lists no fragrance.
Which brand performs better for soothing and gentle formulas according to review themes?
According to the review themes on this page, Dr. Althea performs better for soothing and gentle formulas compared to Medicube.
What are the founding years and parent companies of Medicube and Dr. Althea?
Medicube was founded in 2016 in South Korea and is owned by APR Corp., whereas Dr. Althea was founded in 2014 in South Korea and is owned by The Pure Lab Co., Ltd.
Medicube or Dr. Althea for oily skin?
For oily skin, both Medicube and Dr. Althea achieve a High routine fit level on this page. Reviewers note that Medicube focuses more on hydration and glow, whereas Dr. Althea tends to excel with gentle cleansers and soothing formulas.
Medicube or Dr. Althea: which moisturizer is better?
Both brands offer popular moisturizers on this page, with Medicube focusing on deep hydration and a radiant glow, while Dr. Althea provides soothing formulas that are completely fragrance-free. Medicube's Collagen Jelly Cream is a top pick for mature and dry sensitive skin, whereas Dr. Althea's 345 Relief Cream achieves a Superior fit level for acne-prone and oily acne-prone skin.
Medicube or Dr. Althea for sensitive skin?
Both Medicube and Dr. Althea are a High fit for sensitive skin on Lovi. Reviewers note that Medicube focuses on deep hydration and glow, while Dr. Althea is known for its gentle, soothing cleansers and moisturizers.
Medicube or Dr. Althea for acne-prone skin?
Both Medicube and Dr. Althea are well-suited for acne-prone skin, as their routines on this page reach a High fit level. Dr. Althea is noted for having soothing and gentle formulas and better cleansing and pores.
Research behind their key ingredients
Topical palmitoyl pentapeptide provides improvement in photoaged human facial skin
Apigenin inhibits UVA-induced cytotoxicity in vitro and prevents signs of skin aging in vivo
Effect of Camellia japonica oil on human type I procollagen production and skin barrier function
Protective effects of Camellia japonica flower extract against urban air pollutants
Microneedling by dermapen and glycolic acid peel for the treatment of acne scars: Comparative study
A comparative study of gluconolactone versus benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of acne
The synergistic effect of retinyl propionate and hydroxypinacolone retinoate on skin aging
Supramolecular collagen nanoparticles for anti-wrinkle, skin whitening, and moisturizing effects
The anti wrinkle efficacy of synthetic hexapeptide (Argireline) in Chinese Subjects
Functional properties and skin care effects of sodium trehalose sulfate
Composition characterization and clinical efficacy study of a salmon egg extract
Development and efficacy assessments of tea seed oil makeup remover
Anti-Aging Efficacy of Low-Molecular-Weight Polydeoxyribonucleotide Derived from Paeonia lactiflora
Effects of fermented tea seed oil on the skin lipid barrier and microbiome of sensitive skin
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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