What is Dr.Althea 345 Relief Serum?
Dr.Althea 345 Relief Serum is a lightweight soothing serum from the Korean brand Dr.Althea, part of the same 345 family as the much-loved 345 Relief Cream. Where the cream is the comforting moisturiser, the serum is the lighter, faster-absorbing calming step that goes underneath it. The formula is built around the brand's 345NA soothing complex and adds a long list of skin-comforting ingredients: niacinamide, panthenol, several forms of centella, layered hyaluronic acid, ceramide NP and PDRN.
It is available in 15ml and 30ml bottles. The smaller size is handy if you want to try it before committing, while the larger one suits daily users. In Pakistan, it has become a favourite for skin that feels stressed by heat, sun, pollution and strong actives.
What does 345 mean?
The number refers to Dr.Althea's 345 line and its signature soothing complex, which links the serum and cream together. You do not need to use both, but they are designed to layer well.
Who is it for?
It is for dehydrated, sensitive or easily stressed skin, and for fans of the 345 Relief Cream looking to add a lighter calming step beneath it. Its light feel also makes it popular with oily, combination and acne-prone skin that finds richer serums too heavy.
Dr.Althea 345 Relief Serum benefits: what it does for your skin
Calms redness and discomfort
Centella compounds, panthenol and the 345NA complex help skin that looks red or feels tight after breakouts, sun exposure, harsh weather or over-exfoliation settle down.
Light, multi-level hydration
Several types of hyaluronic acid, together with polyglutamic acid and glycerin, hydrate without heaviness. Skin feels plumper and more supple, even in air-conditioned rooms.
Supports a stronger barrier
Ceramide NP, cholesterol and niacinamide help the skin's protective layer recover, which over time means fewer days of stinging and tightness.
Helps skin look clearer and more even
Niacinamide supports a more even-looking tone and less visible pores, so the serum adds a little polish alongside its soothing role.
A comfortable partner for actives
If you use retinol, AHA or BHA, the serum gives your skin a calming layer that makes those treatments easier to tolerate.
Dr.Althea 345 Relief Serum key ingredients
| Ingredient | What it does |
|---|---|
| 345NA complex | Dr.Althea's own soothing blend at the core of the 345 range |
| Centella (madecassoside, asiaticoside, asiatic acid, madecassic acid) | Calms the look of redness and supports recovery |
| Niacinamide | Evens the look of tone, refines pores and supports the barrier |
| Panthenol | Hydrates and soothes discomfort |
| Hyaluronic acid (several forms) and polyglutamic acid | Draw in and hold moisture at different depths of the surface |
| PDRN (sodium DNA) | A popular Korean ingredient associated with a healthy, resilient-looking complexion |
| Ceramide NP and cholesterol | Rebuild the skin's lipid barrier |
| Birch juice, tea tree and green tea leaf waters | A fresh, calming base |
Does it contain tea tree?
Yes, as tea tree leaf water in the base rather than concentrated tea tree oil. That gives a gentle, purifying touch without the sting that strong tea tree oils can cause.
Is Dr.Althea 345 Relief Serum good for your skin?
Is it good for sensitive skin?
Yes. Sensitive, reactive and stressed skin is its main target, and the formula avoids harsh actives. As with any new product, patch-test first if your skin reacts easily.
Can I use Dr. Althea 345 for combination skin?
Yes. The light serum texture suits combination skin well, hydrating dry cheeks without making the T-zone feel greasy.
Is it good for acne-prone skin?
Yes, as a calming step. It does not treat active acne, but it helps red, irritated skin around breakouts feel calmer and keeps skin hydrated while you use acne treatments. Its light texture is comfortable on oily, acne-prone skin.
Does Dr. Althea 345 help with melasma?
Not directly. This is a soothing and hydrating serum, not a pigmentation treatment. Melasma usually needs strict daily sunscreen and targeted ingredients, ideally guided by a dermatologist. The serum can sit in that routine to keep irritated skin calm, but it will not fade melasma on its own.
Is it good for dry skin?
Dry skin will enjoy the hydration, but it still needs a moisturiser on top to seal it in, such as the Dr.Althea 147 Barrier Cream.
Who should patch-test first
- Anyone who has reacted to Dr.Althea or centella products before
- Skin with a rash, broken areas or a condition that is getting worse, which needs a doctor first
- People with known sensitivities to tea tree or plant extracts
How to use Dr.Althea 345 Relief Serum (morning and night)
In your morning routine
- Wash with a mild cleanser, then use toner if it is part of your routine.
- Press two or three drops into your face and neck with your palms.
- Follow with a moisturiser such as the Dr.Althea 345 Relief Cream.
- Finish with SPF 50 sunscreen.
In your evening routine
- Remove the day's sunscreen and makeup with a double cleanse.
- Apply your active treatment first if you use one, such as the celimax The Vita-A Retinol Shot Tightening Serum, or apply the serum first if your skin is very sensitive and you want a buffer.
- Press in the 345 Relief Serum.
- Seal with moisturiser.
Can I use it every day?
Yes. It is gentle enough for morning and evening use every day. On calmer days you can use it once daily; on stressed or irritated days, twice.
What can I pair it with?
It pairs well with almost everything. In the morning it sits nicely under a vitamin C serum such as the Dr.Althea Renew Vitamin C Boosting Serum. For brightening, layer it with the ANUA Peach 70% Niacinamide Serum on alternate days to keep the routine light. For extra repair, the Dr.Althea Reju 5000 PDRN Cream makes a richer night finish.
Dr.Althea 345 Relief Serum results: how long until you see a difference?
Soothing serums work quickly on comfort and more gradually on the barrier.
- Within minutes: skin feels calmer, softer and more hydrated.
- First week: less redness and tightness, especially if you have paused harsh products.
- Three to four weeks: a stronger-feeling barrier, fewer reactive days and a smoother, more even look.
How fast does Dr. Althea 345 work?
The comfort is immediate, and most people notice calmer-looking skin within a few days. Longer-term barrier benefits build over three to four weeks of daily use.
Does Dr.Althea 345 Relief Serum have side effects?
It is designed to be gentle, and most people use it without problems. Occasionally:
- Skin may tingle briefly if it is very irritated when you apply it
- Pilling under makeup if you use too many drops
- Rare reactions to plant extracts or tea tree water in very sensitive individuals
Stop using it if you notice itching, rash or swelling, and seek advice if irritation persists.
Is the Dr. Althea 345 range acne safe?
The 345 serum and cream are popular with acne-prone users because they are light, calming and free from heavy oils. No product can be guaranteed not to clog any pore, so introduce one new step at a time and watch for two weeks.
Dr.Althea 345 Relief Serum vs Cream
| 345 Relief Serum | 345 Relief Cream | |
|---|---|---|
| Role | Calming, hydrating serum step | Calming moisturiser |
| Texture | Light, fast-absorbing serum | Lightweight gel-cream |
| Best for | Extra soothing and hydration under a moisturiser | Daily moisturising for sensitive and acne-prone skin |
| Order | After toner | After the serum |
If you only buy one, choose the cream for a simple routine. Add the serum underneath when your skin needs an extra calming boost, during summer flare-ups or while using strong actives.
Using the 345 serum through Pakistan's seasons
Skin behaves differently across the year here, and a soothing serum is one of the easiest steps to adjust. In the hot, humid months, many people use the serum on its own under sunscreen in the morning, skipping a heavier cream, because it calms heat-flushed skin without adding shine. During the monsoon, when humidity, sweat and frequent face washing can leave skin irritated, two calming layers a day help keep the barrier steady.
In winter, dry air and gas heaters pull moisture from the skin, so the serum becomes a hydration booster under a richer cream. It is also a reliable step after sun exposure on holidays, long drives or outdoor events, when skin feels warm and tight.
Can men use it after shaving?
Yes. Shaving often leaves the jaw and neck red and stinging, and a few drops of a calming serum afterwards help the skin settle. Apply it once the skin has cooled down, then add a light moisturiser.
Dr.Althea 345 Relief Serum price in Pakistan
The serum comes in two sizes, 15ml and 30ml, and you can see the live price of each by selecting the size at the top of this page. The 15ml is a good way to test it; the 30ml is better value for daily use. A few drops per application means a bottle lasts longer than you might expect. Orders above Rs. 6,000 ship free, and cash on delivery is available.
Original vs fake Dr.Althea 345 Relief Serum: how to check
The 345 range is extremely popular, and that makes it a target for imitations. Before using a new bottle:
- Check that the outer box and bottle carry clear printing and a matching batch number and expiry date.
- Inspect the seal and dropper or pump; they should be intact and work smoothly.
- Notice the texture: it should be light and even, never separated, gritty or unusually scented.
Where to buy original Dr.Althea in Pakistan
YESBEAUTY is an authentic seller of Dr.Althea in Pakistan, and every bottle is sourced directly from Dr.Althea's official distribution channels in Seoul, Korea. That direct line, combined with ten years of experience in the Korean Skincare group and over 200,000 customers served, is backed by a 7-day return guarantee if a product is ever found inauthentic. Read our Authenticity Promise for the details.
Best soothing serum for sensitive skin in Pakistan: where 345 fits
For stressed, sensitive or acne-prone skin that wants calm without heaviness, the 345 Relief Serum is one of the most dependable Korean options. Browse more in our sensitive skin collection, compare treatments in serums and ampoules, or explore the full Dr.Althea range. If you also want a gentle retinal, the celimax The Vita-A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster pairs well with this serum as a calming buffer.
How to store it in Pakistan's heat
Keep the bottle closed, out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources such as cars or windowsills. Use clean, dry hands with the dropper, and finish the bottle within the period shown on the open-jar symbol.