Yes, Dr. Althea is a Korean skincare brand known for its gentle yet effective formulations that focus on soothing sensitive skin and strengthening the skin barrier. Founded in South Korea and inspired by co-founder Evelyn Lee’s personal skincare journey, Dr. Althea combines K-beauty innovation with natural, skin-loving ingredients.

The brand takes its name from Althea, the Greek goddess of healing, reflecting its mission to restore and protect the skin through thoughtful, restorative skincare solutions.

Yes, Dr. Althea is a cruelty-free skincare brand. They don't test their products or ingredients on animals at any stage of development or production, and they follow strict ethical standards across manufacturing, sourcing, and supply chain.

Most of their products are also vegan, though formulations vary product to product. If you need to confirm vegan status for a specific Dr. Althea product, check the individual product page on our site or reach out to our customer team.

Cruelty-free certification matters to many of our community, which is why we're proud to stock Dr. Althea as one of our partner brands. Their commitment to ethical production sits alongside other cruelty-free Korean brands we love, including ANUA, Beauty of Joseon, SKIN1004, and Aromatica.

Dr Althea’s best‑selling products include the 345 Barrier Cream, Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm, and 147 Barrier Cream. These products have gained popularity thanks to their effective, science‑backed formulations.

Dr. Althea is a Korean skincare brand that blends advanced dermatology with gentle, skin-friendly formulations. The brand sits in a sweet spot: more affordable than luxury Western dermatology brands, more sophisticated than entry-level K-beauty.

Their philosophy is to combine science-led actives with soothing, plant-based ingredients, so their products tend to be effective without being aggressive on the skin. This makes them especially loved by people with sensitive, reactive, acne-prone, or barrier-compromised skin.

The brand was founded in South Korea by Evelyn Lee, inspired by her personal skincare journey. The name 'Althea' references the Greek goddess of healing, which reflects the brand's focus on restoring and protecting skin rather than overhauling it.

Our hero Dr. Althea products: the viral 345 Relief Cream (gel-cream moisturiser for sensitive and acne-prone skin), the 147 Barrier Cream (richer formula for compromised skin), and the Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm (gentle melt-on-skin oil cleanser).

Cruelty-free: yes. The Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream is not tested on animals, and the brand follows strict ethical standards across their manufacturing and ingredient sourcing.

Vegan: yes. The 345 Relief Cream is formulated with plant-derived, skin-friendly ingredients, with no animal-derived ingredients included.

More broadly, Dr. Althea as a brand is cruelty-free, and the majority of their products are also vegan. If vegan status matters to you for a specific product in their range, check the individual product page or our customer team can confirm.

If both cruelty-free and vegan are dealbreakers for you, you're in safe hands with the 345 cream and most of the Dr. Althea range.

The Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream is a lightweight and refreshing soothing and hydrating moisturiser designed for sensitive or irritated skin. Its focus is on calming redness, reducing sensitivity, and providing deep hydration. It contains ingredients like Centella Asiatica, Panthenol, and Peptides that work to restore balance and support the skin’s recovery, making it ideal for those dealing with sensitivity, acne, or post‑treatment skin.

The Dr. Althea 147 Barrier Cream, is a richer, barrier‑repairing moisturiser aimed at strengthening and reinforcing the skin’s natural protective layer. It contains a higher concentration of Ceramides, Cholesterol, and Fatty Acids (a lipid-rich blend), making it ideal for very dry, dehydrated, or compromised skin. Its thick, cushiony texture is best suited for night-time use or for people with a more compromised and weakened barrier.

The Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream is suitable for all skin types and is particularly loved by people with sensitive, dehydrated, acne-prone, or barrier-compromised skin.

Why it works across skin types:

1. Lightweight gel-cream texture absorbs quickly without feeling heavy on oilier skin
2. Hydrating enough for dry and dehydrated skin to feel comfortable
3. Gentle, fragrance-free formula that doesn't trigger sensitive or reactive skin
4. Non-comedogenic, so it won't clog pores or cause breakouts in acne-prone skin
5. Barrier-supportive ingredients (Centella, Heartleaf, Panthenol, Peptides) help repair compromised skin

It works particularly well for: post-treatment skin (after acids or retinol), seasonal sensitivity flares, redness and irritation, and as a daily moisturiser for normal-to-combination skin.

Where it might not be your perfect match: very dry or mature skin in cold winter weather may need something richer (in which case look at the Dr. Althea 147 Barrier Cream).

Yes. The Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream is formulated to be non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog your pores. This makes it suitable for most people, including those with acne-prone or sensitive skin.

The texture is a lightweight gel-cream hybrid that absorbs quickly without leaving a heavy residue. It uses gentle plant-derived ingredients (Centella, Heartleaf, and Niacinamide) rather than heavy occlusives that tend to cause breakouts.

That said, 'non-comedogenic' is a general claim, not a guarantee for every individual. If you're prone to congestion, patch-test the product on your jawline or under your ear for 5 to 7 days before applying to your full face.

Yes, Dr. Althea 345 Cream can be used alongside retinol, especially as it’s formulated with soothing and barrier-repairing ingredients that help calm irritation and support skin recovery.

We recommend doing a patch test first, combining active ingredients like retinol with other treatments may increase skin sensitivity. Discontinue use if irritation or redness occurs.

The Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream is designed to be used as your regular moisturiser, both morning and night. Apply it after cleansing, toning, and any treatment products (essences, serums, ampoules), and before SPF in the morning.

Use a pea-sized amount and gently press it into your skin rather than rubbing. Because it's a lightweight gel-cream hybrid that absorbs quickly, it works well for layering under makeup or as the final step in your evening routine.

If you only have a specific area of concern (such as an irritated patch or healing breakout), you can also spot-treat with it rather than applying to your full face. Suitable for sensitive, acne-prone and barrier-compromised skin.

Dr. Althea's viral 345 Relief Cream is available here at Skin Cupid! We are the official partner and authorised stockist of the brand. As a trusted retailer, we work directly with Dr. Althea to source every item, ensuring it’s 100% authentic, fresh, and delivered straight from the brand.

With so many counterfeit and grey‑market products online, it’s more important than ever to shop with an authorised stockist. At Skin Cupid, you can shop with total confidence, knowing you’re getting genuine Korean skincare products every time.

The Dr Althea 345 Barrier Relief Cream is a multi‑purpose gel-cream hybrid moisturiser that helps to soothe visible irritation, heal damaged skin barriers, and fade dark spots to brighten and balance your complexion. It supports long-term skin health with gentle plant-derived ingredients, including Centella and Heartleaf, and brightening agents like Niacinamide. It's ideal for daily use on sensitive, dehydrated, or compromised skin.