🇬🇧United Kingdom

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

Buy Dr. Althea routine · £104.68 · 91% fitBuy Simple routine · £136.73 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Dr. Althea vs Simple routines for oily skin

Buy Dr. Althea routine · £189.45 · 89% fitBuy Simple routine · £221.50 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Dr. Althea vs Simple routines for combination skin

Buy Dr. Althea routine · £153.55 · 88% fitBuy Simple routine · £185.60 · 85% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Dr. Althea or Simple: which is better?

Dr. Althea tends to perform better than Simple, offering a Superior routine fit for dry and acne-prone skin types on this page. Reviewers note that Dr. Althea provides soothing and hydrating moisturizers along with gentle cleansers.

What is the difference between Dr. Althea and Simple?

Dr. Althea provides superior routine fits for dry and acne-prone skin on this page, while Simple offers better affordability and lightweight moisturizers. Reviewers note that every product on this page for both brands lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Dr. Althea or Simple for dry skin?

For dry skin, Dr. Althea has a Superior routine fit while Simple has a High routine fit on Lovi. Reviewers mention that Dr. Althea offers soothing and hydrating moisturizers, whereas Simple is noted for lightweight and value-friendly moisturizers.

Dr. Althea or Simple: which cleanser is better?

Dr. Althea offers a better cleanser option on this page, with the Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser achieving a Superior Lovi fit level for oily, combination, acne-prone, and dry skin. In comparison, Simple features the Refreshing Facial Wash, which reaches only an Average or Low fit level across those same skin types.

Which is more affordable, Dr. Althea or Simple?

Simple is more affordable, offering an affordable price point for its products. Dr. Althea does better on skin texture and tone as well as soothing and calming, while Simple is noted for being lightweight and fast absorbing.

When was Dr. Althea founded and who owns it compared to Simple?

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.

Do Dr. Althea and Simple products contain any fragrance?

Every product on this page for both Dr. Althea and Simple lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

What key ingredients are found across Simple products?

Simple products feature key ingredients like niacinamide and glycerin. Niacinamide helps reduce skin pigmentation, while glycerin provides moisture.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Dr. Althea or Simple for oily skin?

For oily skin, Lovi rates Dr. Althea as High and Simple as High, making them equal choices. Reviewers mention that Simple offers lightweight and fast-absorbing products on this page.

Dr. Althea or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

Dr. Althea is better for moisturizers because its 345 Relief Cream achieves a Superior fit level for acne-prone and oily acne-prone skin on Lovi, whereas Simple moisturizers reach only an Average fit across all skin types.

Dr. Althea or Simple for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, both brands achieve a High fit according to Lovi ratings. Reviewers note that the products on this page for both Dr. Althea and Simple feature gentle formulations.

Dr. Althea or Simple for acne-prone skin?

Dr. Althea is a better choice for acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates its routine as Superior compared to Simple's High. Reviewers note that Dr. Althea offers soothing and calming benefits that help with 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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