Dr.Althea 345 Relief Cream in Pakistan: An Honest Guide for Acne-Prone Skin
Dr.Althea 345 Relief Cream is a light, oil-free moisturiser for acne-prone skin. What is inside, who it suits and how to use it with retinoids and acids.
You have finally calmed a breakout, and now the skin around it is red, tight and a little flaky from the acne treatment. Heavy creams feel like they will start the next pimple, and skipping moisturiser makes the dryness worse. That gap is exactly where Dr.Althea 345 Relief Cream has built its following, and searches for it in Pakistan have climbed steadily this year.
This guide goes through what is actually in the tube, who it suits, who should pick something else, and how to fit it around salicylic acid, retinoids and sunscreen without wasting it.
What Dr.Althea 345 Relief Cream is
It is a 50ml lightweight daily moisturiser from the Korean brand Dr.Althea. On its official product page, the brand describes it as a non-comedogenic moisturiser for acne-prone and sensitive skin dealing with post-breakout redness, uneven texture or lingering blemish marks.
The brand says the formula was tested as non-comedogenic in a clinical trial run by the Korea Institute of Dermatological Sciences, and that it contains no added oils and no essential oils. Its reasoning is that essential oils can carry fragrance allergens that irritate sensitised skin. These are the brand's own claims, and we have not seen the trial data ourselves.
On Yellow Pink it is the 50ml tube (Rs 5,500), sold as the original imported product with cash on delivery.
What is inside, and what each part does
The full ingredient list is long, but a handful of ingredients do most of the work. Here is where they sit in the list printed on our product page and on the brand's site, and why they are there.
| Ingredient | Position in the list | Why it matters for acne-prone skin |
|---|---|---|
| Tea tree leaf water | 2nd, right after water | The water base of the formula. This is leaf water, not tea tree essential oil |
| Glycerin | 4th | A humectant that pulls water into the top layer of skin |
| Niacinamide | 9th | Vitamin B3, studied for oil control, redness and dark marks |
| Panthenol | 11th | Pro-vitamin B5, used to support the skin barrier |
| Sodium hyaluronate | Mid-list | A form of hyaluronic acid for surface hydration |
| Centella asiatica water, extract and madecassoside | Lower half | A soothing plant long used in wound care |
| Ceramide NP | Near the end | A barrier lipid, present in a small amount |
One honest note: neither Dr.Althea nor our listing gives the niacinamide percentage. What we can say is that it sits in the top ten ingredients, ahead of panthenol and centella.
Niacinamide
Niacinamide is the ingredient doing the heavy lifting for oily, breakout-prone skin. A 2024 systematic review of topical acne treatments in Cureus reported that niacinamide reduced sebum production in a randomised trial of 41 participants.
A 2025 Delphi consensus of 62 cosmetic dermatologists, published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, named niacinamide as a recommended ingredient for redness and dark spots. That lines up neatly with what this cream is marketed for. If you want the full story on this vitamin, read our niacinamide guide.
Panthenol, glycerin and ceramides
A 2023 review of skincare in acne management in Dermatology and Therapy lists ceramides, glycerin and panthenols among the ingredients that may support skin barrier function in acne. The same review lists niacinamide as useful both for acne itself and for reducing irritation from treatment.
Centella asiatica
Centella is the backbone of a lot of Korean "cica" skincare. A review titled Centella asiatica in cosmetology names madecassoside as one of the plant's main active compounds and describes its use for small wounds, burns and scars. In this cream it sits in the lower half of the list, so think of it as a soothing extra rather than the main act.
Why acne-prone skin still needs a moisturiser
Many of us were raised to believe oily skin should never be moisturised. The research says otherwise, especially once you start treating acne. Salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide and retinoids all tend to dry and irritate, and irritated skin is more likely to be abandoned halfway through a routine.
The Dermatology and Therapy review describes a 2018 study by Tan and colleagues where people using adapalene with benzoyl peroxide reported less drying and scaling when a daily moisturiser was added. A 2024 narrative review in the International Journal of Dermatology reached a similar view: cleansers, moisturisers and sun protection used alongside treatment can reduce irritation and improve how well people stick with it.
The NHS advice for acne is simple: wash twice a day with a gentle cleanser and choose skincare and makeup labelled non-comedogenic, meaning it will not clog pores. A light, non-comedogenic moisturiser fits that brief.
Who it suits, and who should skip it
A good match if you have
- Oily or combination skin that breaks out and hates heavy creams
- Red or pink marks left behind after pimples heal
- Dryness or flaking from salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide or a retinoid
- Sensitive skin that reacts to fragranced products with essential oils
Think twice if you have
- Very dry skin, especially in winter. Dr.Althea itself says this is a light moisturiser, not a rich cream. You may need something heavier at night; our guide to moisturisers for dry skin covers richer options.
- A known reaction to tea tree. The oil is left out, but tea tree leaf water is the second ingredient. Patch test first.
- Deep, painful or cystic acne. A moisturiser supports treatment; it does not replace it. See the section on when to see a doctor below.
How to use it
The brand gives two ways to use it. Most people will only need the first.
1. As your everyday moisturiser
Use it morning and evening as the last step of your skincare, after any serum. Take a small amount, spread it evenly over the face and press it in until it absorbs. In the morning, sunscreen goes on top.
2. The sandwich method with strong actives
If you use a retinoid or another active that stings, Dr.Althea suggests a thin layer of the cream first to cushion the skin, then your active, then another thin layer of the cream to seal in moisture. This is a sensible way to start a retinoid if your skin is reactive. Our retinol guide for beginners explains how to build up slowly.
A simple routine around it
| Step | Morning | Night |
|---|---|---|
| Cleanse | Gentle cleanser or water | Salicylic acid or gentle cleanser |
| Treat | Optional niacinamide or vitamin C serum | Your acne treatment, if you use one |
| Moisturise | Dr.Althea 345 Relief Cream | Dr.Althea 345 Relief Cream (or the sandwich method) |
| Protect | Sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher | None needed |
For the cleanse step, CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser (Rs 6,590) is a gel-to-foam wash with 2% salicylic acid, three ceramides and niacinamide. CeraVe suggests following it with a non-comedogenic moisturiser, which is exactly the job the 345 cream does. If your skin feels sensitive, use it once a day rather than twice. For more on strengths and frequency, see our salicylic acid face wash guide.
For the protect step, the American Academy of Dermatology's acne tips recommend a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, labelled non-comedogenic, because many acne treatments make skin more sensitive to the sun.
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Aqua-Fresh: Rice + B5 SPF50+ (Rs 3,870) is a watery Korean sunscreen that the brand recommends for oily, combination and breakout-prone skin. It sits well over a light moisturiser. Our sunscreen for oily skin guide has more options.
What it will and will not do for dark marks
Many buyers pick up this cream hoping it will clear the brown or purple marks acne leaves behind. Be realistic. Dr.Althea says it "helps reduce the appearance" of lingering marks and uneven tone. That is a cosmetic claim, and it will not erase marks on its own.
The Cleveland Clinic lists acne as a cause of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and says avoiding sun damage is one of the best ways to prevent and reduce it. It also notes that treatments can take months or a year to work. On brown and olive skin, daily sunscreen matters more than any single cream.
Not sure whether you have dark marks or true scars? Our guide to acne scars vs dark marks explains the difference, because scars need a different plan.
Quick buying tips
- Check the size. The tube we stock is 50ml.
- A little goes a long way. Use a thin layer; a thick coat does not work faster and can feel heavy in humid weather.
- Give it time. Judge comfort and redness over a few weeks, not after one night.
- Patch test. Apply a small amount along the jaw for a few days before using it on the whole face, especially if your skin is reactive.
When to see a doctor instead
The NHS advises seeing a doctor if you have tried treating acne yourself and it is not getting better, if you have lots of spots or they are deep, painful or scarring, if you see signs of infection such as hot, swollen, red skin, or if acne is affecting your mental health. A dermatologist can prescribe treatments that a moisturiser simply cannot replace. Our guide on how to get rid of acne covers the options.
The bottom line
Dr.Althea 345 Relief Cream is a light, oil-free moisturiser built around niacinamide, panthenol and centella, and it makes the most sense for oily or acne-prone skin that has been dried out by treatment. It is not a treatment for active acne and it will not fade marks without sunscreen doing its part.
If that sounds like your skin, you can order Dr.Althea 345 Relief Cream with cash on delivery, or browse the rest of the Dr.Althea range and our moisturisers. Still unsure what your routine needs? Try our free Routine Finder.
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