Brand Comparison
Mantle 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 7.8)
Rating7.8/108.8/10
Price RangePremium ($$$)Mid-Range ($$)
Founded20192003
OriginSwedenSeoul, South Korea
Products105
Best ForSensitive, normal, Dry, ComboSensitive, compromised-barrier, Mature, Dry
PhilosophyCBD-forward, Swedish-made skincare — hemp, adaptogens, aesthetic architecture, minimalist pharmacology.Dermatologist-led K-beauty — clinical formulations, no wasted space, 147 as in the number of ingredients in the cream that made them famous.
Mantle
Post-Scandinavian Instagram skincare. CBD hype but decent formulas. The Dream Mask is the one to try.
Pros
- ✓ Beautiful design
- ✓ CBD done well
- ✓ Clean botanical focus
Cons
- ✗ CBD evidence still limited
- ✗ Premium price
- ✗ Brand is young
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
- ✗ packaging photographs less well than the K-pop-adjacent competition
