Brand Comparison
Torriden 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)
Torriden
Torriden does hyaluronic acid hydration better than most brands at twice the price. The DIVE-IN line is a masterclass in stripped-back formulation — no fragrance, no filler, just multiple molecular weights of hyaluronic acid doing their job. The Balanceful Cica line broadens the brand's appeal to sensitive skin. Not a brand for those seeking active treatments, but for pure hydration at budget prices, Torriden is hard to beat.
Pros
- ✓ DIVE-IN Serum is one of the best budget hyaluronic acid products
- ✓ Completely fragrance-free across the range
- ✓ Lightweight textures that layer well
Cons
- ✗ Very narrow focus — hydration and not much else
- ✗ Packaging feels generic and clinical
- ✗ Limited range beyond DIVE-IN and Balanceful lines
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
