Brand Comparison
I'm From 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)
I'm From
I'm From is the brand for ingredient purists. Every product highlights one hero ingredient sourced from a specific Korean location, and they actually tell you where it comes from. The Honey Mask, Rice Toner, and Mugwort Essence are all legitimate cult classics. Quality is consistently high.
Pros
- ✓ Full ingredient traceability and sourcing transparency
- ✓ Honey, rice, and mugwort lines are all excellent
- ✓ Gentle enough for sensitive skin
- ✓ Clean, no-nonsense formulations
Cons
- ✗ Limited product range per ingredient line
- ✗ Some products feel basic for the price
- ✗ Availability can be inconsistent
- ✗ Packaging is functional, not luxurious
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
