Brand Comparison
APLB vs Dr. Althea
A head-to-head comparison of two popular K-beauty brands. Which one is right for your skin?
Our Pick
Dr. Althea
Higher editor rating (8.8 vs 8)
APLB
APLB is the K-beauty brand that made glutathione mainstream in Korea. Their Glutathione Niacinamide Hyaluronic Acid Ampoule combines three of the most effective brightening actives in one fragrance-free formula. Fast-rising brand to watch in 2026.
Pros
- ✓ Glutathione-forward formulations
- ✓ Fragrance-free across the range
- ✓ Targeted brightening approach
- ✓ Fast-growing brand momentum
Cons
- ✗ Glutathione efficacy data is mixed
- ✗ Smaller catalog than established brands
- ✗ Newer brand with less track record
Dr. Althea
Dr. Althea is the dermatologist-led K-beauty brand quietly outperforming its more-hyped peers on every actives-forward product. The 147 Enriched Cream (147 active and adjunct ingredients in one barrier cream) is the reason Reddit's AsianBeauty community keeps pointing new people here. No sparkly packaging, no K-pop collab — just well-built formulas with peptide, ceramide, and panthenol stacks that hold up under scrutiny.
Pros
- ✓ dermatologist-led clinical approach
- ✓ 147 Enriched Cream is a legitimate barrier workhorse
- ✓ minimalist, no-nonsense branding
- ✓ every product is actives-first
Cons
- ✗ brand voice is drier than its peers
