THE PRODUCT DECODE

Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream: Everything You Need to Know Before Trying It

Few Korean moisturizers have had a rise quite like Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream.

The minimalist tube has become nearly impossible to avoid on K-beauty social media, where it's frequently recommended for everything from sensitive and acne-prone skin to post-breakout marks and compromised-looking skin barriers.

But viral skincare has a way of turning one moisturizer into a miracle product.

So what does Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream actually do? What does the “345” mean? Is it non-comedogenic? Does it contain niacinamide? Can oily skin use it? And what's different about the newer version?

Here's what you should know before adding it to your routine.

What Is Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream?

Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream is a lightweight Korean gel-cream moisturizer developed with acne-prone and sensitive skin in mind.

The current Ver.2 formula is officially described as a daily post-acne and soothing moisturizer and has been clinically tested as non-comedogenic and for sensitive skin.

Despite being called a “cream,” its appeal comes partly from the fact that it doesn't behave like a traditionally heavy moisturizer.

The texture is designed to absorb relatively quickly while providing hydration and barrier-supporting ingredients.

In other words:

Think soothing daily moisturizer—not intensive acne treatment.

What Does “345” Mean?

This is probably the most searched question about the product.

The name refers to the way Dr. Althea organizes the formula around groups of ingredients designed to address blemish-related concerns, nourishment and soothing.

The current formula highlights ingredients including niacinamide, resveratrol, tannic acid, Ceramide NP, beta-glucan, hyaluronic acid, tea tree leaf water, centella and madecassoside.

It's a clever name—but don't get too caught up in the numbers.

The more useful question is what those ingredients actually contribute to the formula.

The Ingredients Worth Knowing

Niacinamide

One of the most recognizable ingredients in the formula.

Niacinamide is widely used in skincare aimed at improving the appearance of uneven tone and supporting overall skin condition.

That makes it particularly relevant to 345 Relief Cream's post-breakout positioning.

Ceramide NP

Ceramides are naturally associated with the skin's barrier.

Including Ceramide NP makes sense in a moisturizer intended for skin that feels dry, stressed or uncomfortable.

Centella Asiatica

It wouldn't be modern K-beauty without centella.

The current formula contains both Centella Asiatica Leaf Water and Centella Asiatica Extract, alongside madecassoside.

These ingredients are commonly used in Korean skincare designed around soothing and skin comfort.

Beta-Glucan

An ingredient we're seeing increasingly often in Korean moisturizers.

Beta-glucan contributes to the hydration and comforting side of the formula, complementing ingredients such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid.

Hyaluronic Acid

The formula contains Sodium Hyaluronate and Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, helping provide the lightweight hydration you'd expect from this type of gel cream. 

Tea Tree Leaf Water

Tea tree leaf water appears very high on the current ingredient list—second only to water.

That's particularly interesting given the product's positioning toward blemish-prone skin.

Resveratrol

Resveratrol is an antioxidant ingredient and forms part of the product's blemish-care ingredient story.

It's not the reason we'd buy the cream by itself, but it's an interesting addition to an otherwise hydration-and-soothing-focused formula.

What Does Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream Actually Do?

We'd describe its purpose in four words:

Hydrate. Soothe. Support. Moisturize.

It's designed primarily to provide lightweight hydration while supporting skin that is prone to blemishes or feels sensitive.

Dr. Althea also positions it for the appearance of post-acne marks, with niacinamide playing an important role in that part of the formula.

What we wouldn't do is treat 345 Relief Cream like an acne medication.

It's a moisturizer.

And that's an important distinction.

Is Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream Good for Acne-Prone Skin?

This is one of the most important questions surrounding the product.

It can be a good moisturizer option for acne-prone skin.

Most importantly, the current Ver.2 formula has been clinically tested as non-comedogenic, according to Dr. Althea.

That doesn't guarantee that every acne-prone person will love it.

No cosmetic product can guarantee that.

Individual sensitivities vary, and even products labeled non-comedogenic may not work equally well for everyone.

But if you're specifically concerned about pore-clogging, the current version has at least been tested with that concern in mind.

Does 345 Relief Cream Help With Acne Scars?

This requires a distinction.

If by “acne scars” you mean dark or discolored marks left behind after a blemish, ingredients such as niacinamide make the formula relevant to a routine focused on improving the appearance of uneven tone.

If you're talking about indented or raised acne scars, that's very different.

A moisturizer shouldn't be expected to erase structural scarring.

So we'd describe 345 Relief Cream as a post-acne supportive moisturizer, not an acne-scar treatment.

Does Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream Fade Dark Spots?

It contains niacinamide, so it can fit into a skincare routine concerned with dullness and uneven-looking tone.

But don't expect one moisturizer to replace a complete pigmentation-focused routine.

Daily sunscreen is particularly important if uneven-looking tone and post-blemish marks are among your concerns.

Is Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream Non-Comedogenic?

The current Ver.2 formula is clinically tested as non-comedogenic, according to Dr. Althea.

This is worth emphasizing because older discussions online may analyze a different formulation.

Whenever you're researching a viral skincare product that has been reformulated, check that the ingredient list you're reading matches the version you're actually buying.

Is Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream Fungal-Acne Safe?

This question produces conflicting answers online.

Some current ingredient-analysis services flag ingredients in 345 Relief Cream as potentially unsuitable for Malassezia-focused routines. At the same time, anecdotal experiences vary considerably, including among users who describe themselves as prone to fungal-acne-like breakouts.

We therefore wouldn't market 345 Relief Cream as “fungal-acne safe.”

Also remember that “fungal acne” is a popular internet term commonly used in reference to Malassezia folliculitis; if you suspect you have a skin condition rather than ordinary blemishes, professional diagnosis is more useful than relying on an ingredient checker.

Is 345 Relief Cream Good for Sensitive Skin?

The current formula has been clinically tested for sensitive skin, and it doesn't contain artificial fragrance according to current product information.

The formula also includes several ingredients commonly found in soothing skincare, including centella, madecassoside, beta-glucan and panthenol.

Still, “sensitive skin” isn't one universal skin type.

For example, someone who knows they're sensitive to niacinamide should take into account that niacinamide appears relatively high in this formula.

Is It Good for Oily Skin?

Potentially, yes.

One reason 345 Relief Cream became so popular is its relatively lightweight texture.

It provides moisture without having the traditional feel of a very rich face cream.

For oily but dehydrated skin, that combination can be particularly appealing.

If your skin becomes extremely oily, however, the amount you apply and the products underneath it will matter.

Is It Good for Dry Skin?

This is where we'd be more cautious.

Normal-to-dry or dehydrated skin: potentially yes.

Very dry skin: you may want something richer.

345 Relief Cream prioritizes lightweight hydration and comfort rather than the deeply occlusive texture of a traditional barrier balm.

That's an advantage for some skin types and a disadvantage for others.

Can You Use Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream Every Day?

Yes. The product is designed for daily use.

It can be used in the morning, evening or both depending on your routine and how much moisture your skin needs.

Can You Use 345 Relief Cream Morning and Night?

Yes.

A simple routine could look like:

Morning

Cleanser → Serum → 345 Relief Cream → Sunscreen

Evening

Cleanser → Toner/Serum → 345 Relief Cream

You don't need every step shown above. The cream simply belongs toward the end of the routine.

Do You Apply 345 Relief Cream Before or After Serum?

After serum.

Dr. Althea recommends applying an appropriate amount as the final or semi-final step of your skincare routine.

If you're using it during the day, sunscreen should normally follow your moisturizer.

Can You Use 345 Relief Cream With Retinol or Retinal?

A moisturizer can generally form part of a routine that contains a retinoid.

In fact, moisturizers are commonly used to keep such routines comfortable.

But the complete routine matters more than whether these two particular products technically “go together.”

If you're introducing a retinoid, avoid introducing several other unfamiliar active products simultaneously.

Can You Use It With Vitamin C?

There's nothing about 345 Relief Cream that inherently requires vitamin C to be avoided.

Again, consider your entire routine and your own sensitivity rather than treating skincare combinations as universal rules.

Can You Use It With Niacinamide?

Remember: 345 Relief Cream already contains niacinamide.

You don't necessarily need another niacinamide serum underneath it.

That doesn't mean you can never combine the two, but more isn't automatically better—particularly if your skin is sensitive to higher overall amounts of niacinamide.

Does Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream Contain Retinol?

No retinol or retinal appears in the current official ingredient list.

That makes this fundamentally different from an active retinoid treatment.

Does It Contain Fragrance?

The current product is described as being formulated without artificial fragrance or artificial colours.

That's one reason it may appeal to shoppers looking for relatively straightforward sensitive-skin skincare.

Is Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream Vegan?

Dr. Althea describes the product as a vegan gel cream. 

Does Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream Contain PDRN?

The current formula lists Sodium DNA.

Current U.S. retail information for the product describes its Sodium DNA components in connection with rice bran and centella-derived PDRN.

That makes the new formula particularly interesting given how prominent PDRN has become in Korean skincare.

However, 345 Relief Cream is still better understood as a multi-purpose soothing moisturizer than as a dedicated PDRN treatment.

What's the Difference Between the Original and Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream Ver.2?

This is especially important in 2026.

Dr. Althea has updated 345 Relief Cream.

The current official product page identifies the product as Ver.2, with an updated formula that includes ingredients such as tea tree leaf water, niacinamide, panthenol, centella, beta-glucan, resveratrol, hyaluronic acid, madecassoside, Sodium DNA and Ceramide NP.

That means an ingredient analysis, TikTok review, Reddit discussion or blog post from an older date may not describe the exact product currently on shelves.

Always compare the ingredient list on your package with the version being reviewed.

Why Did Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream Go Viral?

Part of it is timing.

The cream sits at the intersection of several major K-beauty trends:

Barrier care.
Centella.
Niacinamide.
Post-acne skincare.
Lightweight moisturizers.
Sensitive-skin routines.
PDRN-related ingredients.

And it has the type of simple packaging that performs exceptionally well visually on social media.

But virality alone doesn't make a product good.

What makes 345 Relief Cream more interesting is that underneath the hype is a fairly logical moisturizer formula.

Is Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream Worth the Hype?

For the right skin type, we understand the popularity.

We particularly like the idea of it for someone who wants:

• Lightweight hydration
• A non-comedogenic-tested moisturizer
• Barrier-supporting ingredients
• Niacinamide without needing a separate serum
• A moisturizer suitable for a post-breakout routine
• A comfortable gel-cream rather than a heavy cream

We'd be less enthusiastic if your skin is extremely dry and needs a very rich moisturizer.

And we wouldn't buy it expecting one cream to eliminate acne, pigmentation and acne scars.

That's asking far too much from a moisturizer.

Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream FAQ

What skin type is Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream best for?

It's particularly interesting for combination, oily, blemish-prone, sensitive and dehydrated skin, although suitability ultimately depends on the individual.

Is Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream a moisturizer?

Yes. It is a lightweight gel-cream moisturizer.

Is Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream non-comedogenic?

The current Ver.2 formula is clinically tested as non-comedogenic.

Can 345 Relief Cream clog pores?

No skincare product can guarantee it won't cause issues for every individual, but the current formula has undergone non-comedogenic testing.

Does 345 Relief Cream help acne?

Think of it as supportive skincare for acne-prone and post-breakout skin, not an acne medication.

Does 345 Relief Cream help acne scars?

It may fit a routine targeting the appearance of post-acne discoloration, but it shouldn't be expected to remove indented or raised scars.

Does it contain niacinamide?

Yes. Niacinamide appears relatively high in the current ingredient list.

Does it contain retinol?

No retinol is listed in the current formula.

Does it contain ceramides?

Yes. It contains Ceramide NP.

Does it contain centella?

Yes. The current formula contains Centella Asiatica Leaf Water, Centella Asiatica Extract and madecassoside.

Does it contain PDRN?

The current formula contains Sodium DNA, which current product information associates with PDRN ingredients.

Is it fragrance-free?

The current product is formulated without artificial fragrance.

Can you use it every day?

Yes. It's designed as a daily moisturizer.

Can you use it under makeup?

Its lightweight, fast-absorbing texture makes it suitable as a moisturizing step underneath makeup for many users.

Can you use it in the morning?

Yes—follow with sunscreen.

Can you use it at night?

Yes. It can be the final moisturizing step of an evening routine.

Is 345 Relief Cream Korean?

Yes. Dr. Althea is a Korean skincare brand, and current official company information lists its company operation in Seoul, South Korea.