Dr Althea is a cosmetic company with a gentle, but strong hand. They promote wonderful all-natural ingredients from around the world (including their Radiance Essence containing Kakadu Plum from Australia). They are also famous for their Vitamin C serum, which uses the power of natural sea buckthorn to boost natural vitamins and unlock lasting radiance. But none, none at all is more famous than their 345 Barrier Cream. It has been so effective at healing people’s skin barrier than it has joined the stage of such rivals as Cosrx Snail Mucin 96 Power Essence and Skin1004 Madagascar Centella cream. 

So, why are people loving it so much? It has two main reasons – one, is its silky-soft texture and two the results. It is an incredibly airy, light-weight jelly cream that absorbs deeply in an instant. The other is its soothing herbal ingredients that refresh acne, hydrate and calm down redness and irritation. It’s good for all skin types, good for soothing both acne and irritation and seems like it can do no wrong! 

Resveratrol: extracted from berries, is a potent antioxidant that cools irritation, inflammation and is key to creating a sealed skin barrier against environmental damage. Vital to the cream’s soothing and healing ability. 

Niacinamide: brightening vitamin B3 that helps lift dark spots, even skin tone and infuses a lasting glow for skin shine. 

Panthenol: soothing vitamin B5 that helps heal skin barrier, naturally boosts skin hydration and calms redness. 

Algae extract: deeply soothing extract that boosts hydration and also prevents water loss throughout the day to maintain plump and refreshed skin. 

Bhringraj (Eclipta Prostrata) extract: is a delicate, white flowering plant that is used in traditional medicines to improve natural healing, soothe irritation and is rich in compounds that evens skin tone and moisturizes. 

Evening Primrose extract: naturally brightens, soothes spots and break-outs and boosts natural skin elasticity to lift fine lines is one powerful remedy. 

Turmeric extract: reduces dark spots and brightens skin, whilst also calming dryness, reducing redness and fighting acne-causing bacteria. 

Calendula flower extract: refreshing and soothing flower extract that stimulates skin barrier healing, improves cell growth and cools skin to the touch. 

Agave extract: rich in flavonoids and saponins, agave extract reduces skin oxidative stress, stimulates healing and refreshes redness and irritation. 

Prickly Pear extract (ficus): restores natural skin structures, boosts fine lines, hydrates and refreshes an irritated skin barrier for deeply soothing effect. 

Also includes background notes of refreshing perilla, lifting hibiscus, sweet crowberry juice, calming lavender and centella asciatica to create a plant-rich and soothing base. 

This cream is designed to be sensitive skin friendly, safe for oily skin and hydrating enough for dry skin whilst also reducing blemishes and refreshing acne-prone skin. On the surface, this cream is fairly safe for anyone to use, except for those who are sensitive to one of the ingredients. 

This cream was tested by one of our team – who has combination skin and is acne-prone, but it caused breakouts and immediate irritation (indicating a specific sensitivity to one of the ingredients). Rightfully, this meant they couldn’t give the cream a fair go, but it is important to know this cream won’t be beneficial to everyone. If you had breakouts or irritation in response to the Skin1004 Madagascar Centella cream (or something similar), it might be worth skipping this cream as the reaction was similar. 

I have a dry, sensitive skin type and was excited to feel the effect of the famous 345 barrier cream. I added it to my evening routine to see the effect.

This cream is incredibly lightweight - to the point where you can dispense a blob onto your finger and not even feel that its there. It comes in a foil tube, which can be a little hard to control the amount coming out. It has little-to-no scent and had an incredibly calming application, no irritation or burning in the slightest, just deeply soothing. 

With its gentle formula, it takes more time to show improvement - but here's a month of daily use. You can see the brightness and improvement to skin texture, reduction of dark spots and refreshed appearance to skin. It's best used in the evening, on top of your skincare treatments to help seal in moisture and refresh your biome. It's genuinely become a part of my daily routine and I can see why it's beloved for sensitive skin types.

It absorbs quickly and is so gently hydrating and light, that you can even layer it and not notice. Once it's absorbed, its not sticky to the touch and it provides a genuine ‘barrier’ for your skin overnight. I don't have acne or obvious irritation, but the hydrating agents lead to my skin feeling softer, looking more balanced and genuinely just feeling calmer. It's a quality moisturizer, whether you are struggling with an uneven barrier or not - although it is clearly famous for that purpose.

It should only be calming to your skin, if you do notice any outbreaks or reaction - cease using immediately (as our team member did). You should only see improvement with this cream, a more soothed and stronger barrier - otherwise you might be looking at an allergy to one of the ingredients.

This is a high-quality and balancing barrier cream for damaged and irritated skin. It helps bring balance, seal in moisture and improves the effects of other skincare products with it. If you are struggling with a damaged barrier that's been irritated with a variety of skincare treatments, this cooling and lightweight barrier cream is an amazing addition to your routine.

Shop Dr Althea's carefully formulated and calming range at Arktastic for quality K-beauty from Seoul, Korea. Want to know how to help sensitive skin? Have you asked Pogi, yet? Your personal K-beauty routine designer is ready to help!

Looking for more acne-friendly skincare? Check out our guide to caring for acne scarring. Or if you're looking for another review, check out one of our favourite serums; Anua Niacinamide + TXA Serum Review 

Guide to Caring for Acne Scars  

Anua Niacinamide + TXA Serum Review