Dr.Althea
Dr.Althea is a Korean clinical-skincare brand under The Pure Lab Co., Ltd. that formulates barrier-repair products (PDRN, retinol, centella asiatica) for sensitive-skin consumers. It sells direct-to-consumer via its Korean e-commerce platform to 100+ countries, with K-pop ambassador Jang Wonyoung driving global expansion.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersMapo, South Korea
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Dr.Althea does
Dr.Althea is a Korean clinical-skincare brand operated by The Pure Lab Co., Ltd. (주식회사 더퓨어랩), a privately held company headquartered in Seoul (with planned relocation to support global operations), founded in 2014. The brand serves sensitive-skin consumers and K-beauty enthusiasts globally with a portfolio of barrier-repair skincare formulations, including the flagship 345 Relief Cream (which has surpassed 26 million cumulative units sold globally), the 147 Barrier Cream, the PDRN Reju 5000 Cream, retinol treatments, vitamin C serums, cleansing balms, hydration-focused Aqua Marine line products, sheet masks, and a single color cosmetic (Aurora Cover Cushion). Core technology centers on clinical formulations using PDRN, retinol, centella asiatica (cica), panthenol, and proprietary 3-4-5 ratio compounds targeting compromised skin barriers, supported by scientific advisory input from Alan Meyers (former L'Oréal and Revlon R&D executive, appointed May 2026).
The company operates a direct-to-consumer e-commerce model through its official Korean storefront at doctoralthea.co.kr, shipping to over 100 countries. Pricing is in Korean Won, ranging from KRW 15,000 for entry-level masks/mists to KRW 35,000 for premium cushions, with select products offering subscription/regular delivery. The go-to-market blends direct e-commerce with community-led K-pop celebrity marketing — Jang Wonyoung (IVE) was named global ambassador in March 2026 to drive transnational fan-community engagement — alongside Instagram and KakaoTalk organic social channels. Revenue is generated entirely through unit sales (no disclosed licensing, wholesale, or B2B contracts). Disclosed scale: Q1 2026 revenue of KRW 192 billion, full-year 2026 projection exceeding KRW 700 billion, and reported sixfold year-over-year sales growth, with a headcount of 11-50 employees and no disclosed external funding.
Dr.Althea firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Dr.Althea
- Legal name
- 주식회사 더퓨어랩 (The Pure Lab Co., Ltd.)
- Website
- https://doctoralthea.co.kr
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Dr.Althea is a Korean clinical-skincare brand under The Pure Lab Co., Ltd. that formulates barrier-repair products (PDRN, retinol, centella asiatica) for sensitive-skin consumers. It sells direct-to-consumer via its Korean e-commerce platform to 100+ countries, with K-pop ambassador Jang Wonyoung driving global expansion.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Dr.Althea industry classification
Industry- Product category
- K-Beauty Skincare
- NAICS
- Cosmetics, Beauty Supplies, and Perfume Retailers (456120)
- SIC
- Perfumes, Cosmetics & Other Toilet Preparations (2844)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Dermocosmetics & Medical-Grade Skincare (CRABAAAF)
Keywords
Where Dr.Althea is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Mapo
- HQ country
- South Korea
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
Dr.Althea business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Others
Revenue model
- Direct E-commerce Product Sales: The company generates revenue primarily through direct-to-consumer sales via its official Korean shopping mall (doctoralthea.co.kr), selling skincare products including creams, serums, masks, and cleansing products at price points ranging from KRW 15,000 to KRW 35,000
- International Direct Sales: Global e-commerce sales shipping to over 100 countries, contributing to sixfold annual sales growth and Q1 2026 revenue of KRW 192 billion
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Entry-level skincare products (masks, mists) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Mid-range products (cleansers, serums) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Premium products (creams, treatments) |
| Subscription | Monthly | Subscription/Regular Delivery |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Dr.Althea product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Dr.Althea manufactures and sells a portfolio of clinical K-beauty skincare products formulated for sensitive and compromised skin, with a flagship 345 Relief Cream that has sold over 26 million units globally. The product range includes barrier-repair creams, retinol treatments, PDRN-based regeneration creams, vitamin C serums, cleansing balms, sheet masks, and a cushion foundation, sold direct-to-consumer through its official Korean e-commerce platform with worldwide shipping.
Product overview
Dr.Althea is a Korean skincare brand under The Pure Lab (주식회사 더퓨어랩), offering a diverse portfolio of clinical beauty products formulated for sensitive skin. The core offering centers on the 345 Relief Cream, the flagship product with over 26 million units sold globally, supported by the 345 Line sub-brand. The product portfolio spans moisturizers (345 Relief Cream, 147 Barrier Cream, Melaclear Cream), serums (Vitamin C Boosting Serum, Aqua Marine Deep Serum), cleansing products (Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm, Pore Refresh Grinding Cleansing Balm), the Aqua Marine hydration line (Watery Cream, Jelly Mist), specialty creams (PDRN Reju 5000 Cream, Pure Retinol 0.15% Cream), and sheet masks (Jelly Seal Dewy, Aqua Blue Hydration, Cushion Veil Calming, Vita Glow, 345 Relief Cream Mask). The brand also offers color cosmetic products like the Aurora Cover Cushion and a novelty eye care product (Retinol Flat Iron Eye Roller). Dr.Althea positions itself in the clinical beauty segment with formulations targeting compromised skin barriers.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- 26 million units sold globally for 345 Relief Cream
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Dr.Althea
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Dr.Althea technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Dr.Althea partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.
- Alan Meyers (Former L'Oréal and Revlon Executive)coreAlan Meyers, a former L'Oréal and Revlon executive with over four decades of cosmetics R&D experience, has been appointed as executive scientific advisor to support Dr.Althea's international expansion and formulation development for sensitive-skin products. Meyers has already contributed to reformulating two flagship products with ingredients targeting compromised skin barriers.
- Jang Wonyoung (IVE)flagshipK-pop idol Jang Wonyoung of the group IVE has been named as Dr.Althea's new global ambassador as part of its international expansion strategy. The partnership leverages the transnational appeal of K-pop ambassadors for integrated cross-border campaigns targeting fan communities worldwide.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Dr.Althea competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Klairs: Korean sensitive-skin skincare brand under Wishtrend with a comparable 'gentle, barrier-friendly' positioning and global DTC distribution. Direct overlap in target consumer profile.
- Anua: Korean skincare brand (heartleaf/toner-led) with strong international DTC momentum and a similar 'gentle yet effective clinical' positioning. Comparable K-beauty peer with viral international growth.
- COSRX: Korean clinical skincare brand built on a hero product (Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence) with active-ingredient formulations targeting acne and skin repair. Highly comparable K-beauty DTC-led brand with similar product architecture and global e-commerce reach.
- The Ordinary: DECIEM-owned active-ingredient treatment serum brand with similar single-ingredient-driven product architecture (retinol, vitamin C, PDRN-adjacent). Highly comparable in treatment-serum positioning and DTC-led economics.
- Some By Mi: Korean skincare brand centered on AHA/BHA/PHA and active ingredient formulations targeting troubled and sensitive skin. Comparable product architecture to Dr.Althea's clinical-barrier-repair positioning.
- Beauty of Joseon: Korean skincare brand with heritage-inspired positioning and active-ingredient focus (Relief Sun, Dynasty Cream). Closely comparable K-beauty peer with strong international DTC presence and treatment-serum driven product mix.
- Purito: Korean clean-clinical skincare brand with sensitive-skin focus and active-ingredient serums (vitamin C, retinol). Comparable peer in the Korean dermocosmetic-adjacent category.
Broad incumbents
- CeraVe: L'Oréal-owned clinical skincare brand built on ceramide/barrier-repair science with massive global distribution. The dominant global incumbent in barrier-repair clinical skincare that Dr.Althea competes against internationally.
- Innisfree: Major Amorepacific-owned K-beauty skincare brand with broad retail and international DTC presence. Comparable K-beauty peer at greater scale, serving overlapping consumer segments.
- La Roche-Posay: L'Oréal-owned dermocosmetics leader with pharmacy-distributed sensitive-skin and barrier-repair product lines. Broad incumbent in the same dermo-cosmetic category Dr.Althea is targeting.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Dr.Althea social profiles
Digital presenceDr.Althea financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Dr.Althea leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Dr.Althea funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Dr.Althea M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Dr.Althea
What does Dr.Althea do?
Dr.Althea manufactures and sells a portfolio of clinical K-beauty skincare products formulated for sensitive and compromised skin, with a flagship 345 Relief Cream that has sold over 26 million units globally. The product range includes barrier-repair creams, retinol treatments, PDRN-based regeneration creams, vitamin C serums, cleansing balms, sheet masks, and a cushion foundation, sold direct-to-consumer through its official Korean e-commerce platform with worldwide shipping.
Is Dr.Althea a public or private company?
Dr.Althea is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Dr.Althea founded?
Dr.Althea was founded in 2017. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Dr.Althea based?
Dr.Althea is headquartered in Mapo, South Korea, in the Asia region.
How does Dr.Althea make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Direct E-commerce Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are international Direct Sales.
Who are Dr.Althea's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Klairs, Anua, COSRX, The Ordinary, Some By Mi, Beauty of Joseon and Purito. Broad incumbents are CeraVe, Innisfree and La Roche-Posay.
Does Dr.Althea have an API?
No public API is recorded for Dr.Althea.
What industry is Dr.Althea in?
Dr.Althea's product category is K-Beauty Skincare. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRABAAAF, Dermocosmetics & Medical-Grade Skincare. Its NAICS code is 456120 and its SIC code is 2844.