Dr. Althea vs Some By Mi
Dr. Althea and Some By Mi are celebrated Korean skincare brands offering thoughtful moisturizers, gentle cleansers, effective makeup removers, nourishing serums, and reliable toners. The former utilizes soothing formulas suited best for dry and acne-prone skin, while the latter builds its products around niacinamide, centella asiatica, and salicylic acid to fit dry sensitive skin and sensitive skin. Ultimately, the two brands differ through their distinct ingredient approaches and targeted remedies, allowing both to provide calm comfort and balanced hydration.
Dr. Althea is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2014 and owned by The Pure Lab Co., Ltd..
doctoraltheaglobal.comdoctoralthea.co.kr
Some By Mi is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2016 and owned by JKL Partners since 2021.
kedglobal.compreqin.comtracxn.com
This page compares some of the most popular Dr. Althea and Some By Mi products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Dr. Althea vs Some By Mi products
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AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner
£11.70
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Retinol Intense Reactivating Serum
£19.70
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AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Acne Clear Foam
£14.00
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AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum
£17.95
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Retinol Intense Advanced Triple Action Eye Cream
£12.35
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Super Matcha Pore Clean Clay Mask
£15.99
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Beta Panthenol Repair Cream
£15.75
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Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream
£11.90
People Say
Gentle Formula Mostly MentionedOften 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”
- “Zero irritation or redness — Some By Mi Retinol Intense Reactivating Serum”
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 retinol burn overnight — Some By Mi Beta Panthenol Repair Cream”
Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “hydrating but light — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
- “consistently hydrated mornings — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
- “Lasts 100 hours as claimed — Some By Mi Beta Panthenol Repair Cream”
- “Absorbs quickly — Some By Mi Galactomyces Pure Vitamin C Glow Serum”
Lightweight and Fast Absorbing Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “absorbs beautifully — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
- “absorbs quickly — Dr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum”
- “absorbs quickly — Some By Mi Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream”
- “absorbs quickly — Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Serum”
Skin Texture Improvement Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “Skin became smoother — Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner”
- “Skin feels baby soft — Some By Mi Retinol Intense Reactivating Serum”
- “skin feels baby soft — Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum”
- “Melts instantly — Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm”
Brightening and Evening Skin Tone Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “Fades dark spots — Some By Mi Galactomyces Pure Vitamin C Glow Serum”
- “skin looks visibly brighter — Some By Mi Yuja Niacin Anti Blemish Serum”
- “brightens dull skin — Some By Mi Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream”
- “faded dark spots — Dr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum”
Scent and Fragrance Dislike Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “smells like plants — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
- “clinical scent — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
- “prominent acidic hint — Dr. Althea Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser”
- “overwhelming citrus fragrance — Some By Mi V10 Hyal Air Fit Sunscreen”
Insufficient Hydration or Dryness Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “not enough for dry skin — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
- “drying on my hands and face — Dr. Althea Amino Gel Cleanser”
- “not moisturizing enough — Some By Mi Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream”
Breakouts and Purging Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “broke me out — Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
- “gave me cystic acne — Dr. Althea Barrier Cream”
- “Zits appeared initially — Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner”
- “gave me cystic acne — Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum”
Dr. Althea vs Some By Mi routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
£12.90
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Hydrating Toner
Dear, Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner
Morning
£11.49
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Moisturizer
345 Relief Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
£16.81
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SPF
Torriden DIVE-IN Mild Sunscreen
Morning
£22.00
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Pre-Cleanser
Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
£9.69
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Serum or Treatment
Vitamin C Boosting Serum
Evening · Once a week
£14.79
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Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
£17.00
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Cleanser
Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Low pH Gel Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
£12.51
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Hydrating Toner
Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning
£13.98
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Moisturizer
Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
£11.90
-
SPF
V10 Hyal Air Fit Sunscreen
Morning
£16.10
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
£13.58
-
Serum or Treatment
Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Serum
Evening · Once a week
£21.45
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Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
£17.00
Buy Dr. Althea routine · £104.68 · 91% fit
Buy Some By Mi routine · £90.42 · 91% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit
Dr. Althea vs Some By Mi routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
£12.90
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
£13.98
-
Moisturizer
345 Relief Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
£16.81
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SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
£11.29
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Pre-Cleanser
Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
£9.69
-
Cleansing Toner
Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Toner
Evening
£29.00
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Serum or Treatment
Vitamin C Boosting Serum
Evening · Once a week
£14.79
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Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
£19.00
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Cleansing Mask
Dr. Sebagh Deep Exfoliating Mask
Once a week
£61.99
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Cleanser
Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Low pH Gel Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
£12.51
-
Hydrating Toner
Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
£13.98
-
Moisturizer
Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
£11.90
-
SPF
V10 Hyal Air Fit Sunscreen
Morning
£16.10
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
£17.00
-
Cleansing Toner
AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner
Evening
£11.70
-
Serum or Treatment
AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum
Evening · Once a week
£17.95
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Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
£19.00
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Cleansing Mask
Super Matcha Pore Clean Clay Mask
Once a week
£15.99
Buy Dr. Althea routine · £189.45 · 89% fit
Buy Some By Mi routine · £120.03 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Dr. Althea vs Some By Mi routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Amino Acid Gentle Bubble Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
£12.90
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
£30.37
-
Moisturizer
345 Relief Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
£16.81
-
Pre-Cleanser
Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
£9.69
-
Cleansing Toner
REN Clean Skincare Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic
Evening
£30.99
-
Serum or Treatment
Vitamin C Boosting Serum
Evening · Once a week
£14.79
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
£19.00
-
Cleansing Mask
VT Cosmetics Cica Purifying Mask
Once a week
£19.00
-
Cleanser
Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Low pH Gel Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
£12.51
-
Hydrating Toner
Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
£13.98
-
Moisturizer
Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
£11.90
-
SPF
V10 Hyal Air Fit Sunscreen
Morning
£16.10
-
Pre-Cleanser
Pyunkang Yul Deep Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
£23.92
-
Cleansing Toner
AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner
Evening
£11.70
-
Serum or Treatment
AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum
Evening · Once a week
£17.95
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
£19.00
-
Cleansing Mask
Super Matcha Pore Clean Clay Mask
Once a week
£15.99
Buy Dr. Althea routine · £153.55 · 88% fit
Buy Some By Mi routine · £126.95 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
Questions and answers
Dr. Althea or Some By Mi: which is better?
Dr. Althea is better for acne-prone skin with a Superior Lovi fit level, whereas Some By Mi is better for sensitive and dry sensitive skin with a Superior Lovi fit level. Both brands offer equal routine fits for dry, oily, combination, mature skin, and skin with dark spots.
What is the difference between Dr. Althea and Some By Mi?
Dr. Althea is better for gentle formulas and soothing, whereas Some By Mi excels at skin texture improvement and brightening. Both brands offer equal routine fit levels for dry, oily, combination, mature, and dark spot skin types, but Dr. Althea provides a Superior fit for acne-prone skin while Some By Mi offers a Superior fit for sensitive and dry sensitive skin.
Dr. Althea or Some By Mi for dry skin?
Both Dr. Althea and Some By Mi fit dry skin well, offering a Superior routine fit for this skin type. Niacinamide helps reduce skin pigmentation, and hyaluronic acid benefits skin quality and signs of aging.
Dr. Althea or Some By Mi: which cleanser is better?
Dr. Althea does better on gentle formulas for cleansers, while Some By Mi cleansers do better on deep pore cleansing. Both brands offer fragrance-free options across the products on this page.
Which is more affordable, Dr. Althea or Some By Mi?
The provided page facts do not mention the prices of products from Dr. Althea or Some By Mi, so it is not possible to determine which brand is more affordable.
Dr. Althea or Some By Mi: which brand is better for skin texture improvement?
Some By Mi is better for skin texture improvement as it outperforms Dr. Althea in this review theme. The products on this page help refine skin texture with key ingredients like salicylic acid and retinol.
Dr. Althea or Some By Mi: which brand is better for sensitive skin and dry sensitive skin routines?
Some By Mi is better for sensitive skin and dry sensitive skin routines, as Lovi rates its routine fit as Superior for both, compared to High for Dr. Althea.
Dr. Althea or Some By Mi: which brand performs better for brightening and evening skin tone?
Some By Mi performs better for brightening and evening skin tone. The products on this page help improve skin texture and brighten complexions.
Dr. Althea or Some By Mi for oily skin?
Both Dr. Althea and Some By Mi share a High routine fit for oily skin. Dr. Althea features gentle cleansers and soothing moisturizers, while Some By Mi offers deep pore cleansing cleansers and effective acne-clearing treatments.
Dr. Althea or Some By Mi: which moisturizer is better?
Both Dr. Althea and Some By Mi offer moisturizers, such as the Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream and the Some By Mi Beta Panthenol Repair Cream, with Dr. Althea achieving a Superior fit for acne-prone skin and Some By Mi achieving a High fit for the same skin type.
Dr. Althea or Some By Mi for sensitive skin?
Some By Mi is better for sensitive skin because Lovi rates its routine fit as Superior, while Dr. Althea has a High fit level for sensitive skin.
Dr. Althea or Some By Mi for acne-prone skin?
For acne-prone skin, Dr. Althea has a Superior routine fit compared to Some By Mi, which has a High fit level. Reviewers often mention Some By Mi for effective acne-clearing treatments, while Dr. Althea is noted for gentle cleansers and soothing moisturizers.
Research behind their key ingredients
The effect of niacinamide on reducing cutaneous pigmentation and suppression of melanosome transfer
Topical menthol--a human model for cold pain by activation and sensitization of C nociceptors
Molecular basis of retinol anti-ageing properties in naturally aged human skin in vivo
Topical palmitoyl pentapeptide provides improvement in photoaged human facial skin
HelixComplex snail mucus as a potential technology against O3 induced skin damage
Vitamin C-squalene bioconjugate promotes epidermal thickening and collagen production in human skin
Ethosomes of Phenylethyl Resorcinol as Vesicular Delivery System for Skin Lightening Applications
The use of green tea extract in cosmetic formulations: not only an antioxidant active ingredient
A comparative study of gluconolactone versus benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of acne
Allergy to oxidized limonene and linalool is frequent in the U.K
The anti wrinkle efficacy of synthetic hexapeptide (Argireline) in Chinese Subjects
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
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
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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