Brand Comparison
Illiyoon 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 8.5)
Illiyoon
Illiyoon is the brand dermatologists and eczema sufferers quietly swear by. The Ceramide Ato line is genuinely excellent — dense, protective, fragrance-free, and effective at repairing compromised barriers. It does what expensive barrier repair creams do at a fraction of the price. Not glamorous, not trending on TikTok, but consistently one of the most recommended K-beauty brands in dermatology circles. If your skin is angry, start here.
Pros
- ✓ Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream is a genuinely outstanding barrier cream
- ✓ Dermatologist-backed formulations with real clinical data
- ✓ Exceptional value — premium quality at drugstore prices
- ✓ Fragrance-free across the core range
Cons
- ✗ Packaging is clinical and uninspiring
- ✗ Limited product range outside the Ato line
- ✗ Textures run heavy — not ideal for humid climates or oily skin
- ✗ Not widely available outside Korea and Amazon
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
