What is Dr.Althea 345 Relief Cream?
Dr.Althea 345 Relief Cream is a calming face moisturiser from the Korean skincare brand Dr.Althea. Most people know it simply as the 345 cream. It was made for skin that is having a hard time: cheeks that flush easily, a face that stings after a strong acid, the angry red patches left behind by a breakout, or skin that feels raw after too much sun and dust. Instead of loading the skin with heavy oils, it gives a soft layer of moisture plus soothing ingredients that help the surface feel settled again.
The cream comes in two sizes: a 15ml tube that is ideal for travel or a first try, and a 50ml jar-style pack for daily use. Both carry the same renewed formula, which is why the 345 is often the moisturiser people return to once they have tried it during a difficult skin phase.
What does the name 345 mean?
The number refers to the brand's signature complex built around niacinamide and panthenol, supported by a group of calming plant waters and centella derivatives. You do not need to remember the chemistry; what matters is that every ingredient in the blend points in the same direction: calm, hydrate and protect.
Is Dr.Althea 345 a moisturiser or a treatment?
It is a moisturiser first. It goes on as the last skincare step before sunscreen in the morning and as the final step at night. Its soothing ingredients make it feel like a treatment, but it is gentle enough to use twice a day, every day.
Dr.Althea 345 Relief Cream benefits: what it does for your skin
The strength of this cream is that it covers several jobs at once without irritating skin that is already reactive.
Calms redness and visible irritation
Centella, madecassoside and tea tree leaf water are classic soothing ingredients in Korean skincare. Used together, they help red, blotchy areas look calmer and make skin feel less hot and uncomfortable, which is welcome after a day in Karachi humidity or a dry Islamabad winter wind.
Supports a weakened skin barrier
Panthenol, ceramide NP and beta-glucan help the skin hold on to water and recover from over-cleansing or over-exfoliating. When the barrier is stronger, products that used to sting often start to feel comfortable again.
Helps post-breakout marks look less obvious
Niacinamide is well known for evening out the look of skin tone over time. The 345 is not a spot-fading serum, but steady daily use can soften the look of the pink and brown marks that linger after pimples heal.
Hydrates without a greasy film
Glycerin and two forms of hyaluronic acid draw moisture into the upper layers, while light silicones give a smooth, velvety finish. Oily skin gets comfort without shine, and makeup glides on top.
Dr.Althea 345 Relief Cream key ingredients
The formula is long, but a handful of ingredients do most of the work. Here is what they bring.
| Ingredient | What it does |
|---|---|
| Niacinamide | Helps even out the look of tone and supports the barrier |
| Panthenol (vitamin B5) | Soothes dryness and helps skin recover after irritation |
| Centella asiatica, madecassoside | Calm redness and support a healthier-looking surface |
| Tea tree leaf water | Gives a fresh, purifying feel for breakout-prone skin |
| Sodium hyaluronate, hydrolysed hyaluronic acid | Draw water into the skin for plumper hydration |
| Ceramide NP, beta-glucan | Help the barrier lock moisture in |
| Resveratrol, tocopherol | Antioxidants that help protect against daily stress |
Is Dr.Althea 345 Relief Cream non-comedogenic?
The texture is light and oil-free in feel, and it is widely used by acne-prone skin without trouble. No moisturiser can promise zero breakouts for everyone, so if your skin clogs easily, start with a thin layer at night for a week and watch how it responds.
Is Dr.Althea 345 Relief Cream good for your skin type?
This is the question most Pakistani shoppers ask, so here is a direct answer for each skin type and concern.
Is it good for oily skin?
Yes. The gel-cream texture absorbs quickly and dries down to a soft, non-shiny finish. In peak summer, one thin layer is usually enough; you may not need anything heavier underneath your sunscreen.
Is it good for acne and acne-prone skin?
Yes, as a support product. It does not treat acne on its own, but it keeps skin calm and hydrated while you use stronger treatments such as salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide or a retinoid. That comfort makes it easier to stay consistent with your acne routine.
Is it good for dry skin?
For mildly dry skin it is comfortable on its own. Very dry skin, especially in winter or in air-conditioned offices, may want a richer cream on top at night, such as the Dr.Althea 147 Barrier Cream.
Is it good for sensitive skin and a damaged barrier?
This is where the 345 shines. It is built for skin that reacts, so it is a sensible choice after over-exfoliating, a strong peel, sunburn or a harsh face wash.
Does Dr.Althea 345 help with dark spots and pigmentation?
It can help the look of uneven tone over weeks thanks to niacinamide, but it is gentle by design. For stubborn dark spots, pair it with a targeted serum such as the Dr.Althea Renew Vitamin C Boosting Serum and daily sunscreen.
Who should patch-test first?
If you know you react to tea tree or to fragrance-like plant waters, try a small amount along the jawline for two days before using it all over.
How to use Dr.Althea 345 Relief Cream (morning and night)
The 345 is easy to fit into any routine because it plays well with almost everything.
Morning routine
- Wash with a gentle cleanser and pat skin dry.
- Layer any toner and serum you normally use.
- Spread a pea-to-almond-sized amount of 345 over face and neck.
- Wait a minute, then finish with sunscreen.
Evening routine
- Remove sunscreen and makeup, then cleanse.
- Apply your treatment step, such as a retinoid or exfoliating toner, if you use one.
- Seal everything in with a slightly thicker layer of 345.
Can you use it with retinol?
Yes, and it is one of the best reasons to own it. Many people apply it after their retinol at night, or even as a buffer underneath on the first weeks, to reduce dryness and flaking.
Can you wear it under makeup?
Yes. Give it a minute or two to settle, apply sunscreen, then your foundation or BB cream. Because the finish is smooth and not slippery, base makeup tends to sit evenly instead of sliding by midday, which helps on long, warm days when you are out of the house from morning to evening. If you use a primer, you can often skip it, as the cream already leaves a soft-focus surface.
What to pair it with
It works well alongside the matching Dr.Althea 345 Relief Serum for extra calm, or with a vitamin C serum in the morning. Browse more options in our moisturiser edit.
Dr.Althea 345 Relief Cream results: how long until you see a difference?
Comfort comes first: most people notice skin feels less tight and looks less flushed within the first few days. Visible changes in texture and redness usually build over two to four weeks of twice-daily use. If you are hoping for softer post-acne marks, give it six to eight weeks alongside sunscreen, because tone changes always take longer than hydration.
Does Dr.Althea 345 Relief Cream have side effects?
It is a gentle formula, and most people use it without any issues. Occasionally, very breakout-prone skin finds any new moisturiser causes a few small bumps in the first week; if that continues, use less product or switch it to night-only. Stop using it if you see persistent itching, burning or rash, and speak to a dermatologist if irritation does not settle.
Dr.Althea 345 Relief Cream vs 147 Barrier Cream
The two are siblings with different jobs, and many people own both.
| 345 Relief Cream | 147 Barrier Cream | |
|---|---|---|
| Main role | Calming and evening tone | Deep barrier repair and comfort |
| Texture | Light gel-cream | Richer, more cushioning cream |
| Best for | Oily, combination, acne-prone, red skin | Dry, tight, flaky or winter skin |
| Season | All year, especially summer | Winter and air-conditioned rooms |
Choose the 345 if redness and breakouts are your main worry. Choose the 147 Barrier Cream if dryness and a damaged barrier come first. Prefer a western option? The La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+ is a thicker balm for very irritated patches.
Dr.Althea 345 Relief Cream price in Pakistan
The 15ml size is a low-risk way to see how your skin likes it and is handy in a handbag. The 50ml is the better value for daily use and lasts roughly two to three months used twice a day. The current price for each size is shown live at the top of this page, and orders above Rs. 6,000 ship free.
Original vs fake Dr.Althea 345 Relief Cream: how to check
The 345 is popular enough to be copied, so it pays to check what you buy. The genuine renewed pack has crisp printing, a clearly printed batch number and expiry date, and a smooth, evenly coloured cream that smells barely of anything. Blurry text, a missing expiry date, a watery texture or a strong perfume are all warning signs.
The simplest protection is the seller. YESBEAUTY is an authentic seller of Dr.Althea in Pakistan, and every unit we ship is sourced directly from Dr.Althea's official distribution channels in Seoul, Korea. As part of the Korean Skincare group we have been delivering genuine K-beauty for 10 years, and if a product is ever found inauthentic you are covered by our 7-day return guarantee. Read more in the YESBEAUTY Authenticity Promise.
Best moisturiser for sensitive and acne-prone skin in Pakistan: where 345 fits
For skin that is red, reactive and breakout-prone at the same time, the 345 is one of the most balanced picks because it calms without clogging. If you want something even lighter for oily skin, the Medicube Collagen Jelly Cream is a bouncy gel option. For a simple, fragrance-free barrier cream, look at the Purito Seoul Mighty Bamboo Panthenol Cream. You can see the whole range in our acne and blemish edit and the full Dr.Althea collection.
How long does Dr.Althea 345 Relief Cream last after opening?
Use it within about 12 months of opening; check the open-jar symbol on your pack for the exact period. In Pakistan's heat, keep it away from direct sun, car dashboards and bathroom windowsills. A cool drawer or bedroom shelf keeps the texture stable, and always close the cap tightly so the cream does not dry out.
