Brand Comparison
Bulk Homme 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 8.2)
Bulk Homme
Most men's skincare is lazy — Bulk Homme isn't. The Face Wash is a genuine upgrade over typical male cleansers, the Toner does actual work, and the packaging looks like what most men's grooming brands wish they looked like. If you're building a routine for a guy who'd die before using something called "sakura hydration dew," start here.
Pros
- ✓ Genuine skincare formulas, not marketing
- ✓ Strong cleanser and toner
- ✓ Clean design, no pink-and-blue split
Cons
- ✗ Men's skincare premium
- ✗ Small product range
- ✗ Fragranced
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
- ✗ distribution outside Korea and Sephora is limited
