345 Relief Cream — Reddit Reviews
by Dr. Althea
Updated October 30, 2026
Niacinamide gel-cream calms redness and supports barrier; closed-comedone risk.
What the community says
A lightweight niacinamide gel-cream with panthenol, centella, beta-glucan, and ceramide NP, built for daytime hydration and redness-prone combination skin. It layers neatly under sunscreen, though clog-prone or reactive users report closed comedones, burning, and flare-ups.
What this means for you
What people love
- Lightweight gel-cream for oily-combination skin
- Calms redness and supports damaged barriers
- Layers cleanly under makeup and sunscreen
Watch out for
- Closed comedones and breakouts show up for some users
- Tea tree and niacinamide trigger irritation for some
- Too light for dry skin; winter hydration falls short
Product details
How to use it
From Reddit routinesWhat the science says vs. what Reddit says
Acne
Some evidence
Niacinamide: 6 studies tested it directly. See all 17 studies
On Reddit: For hormonal breakouts, one user says it helped pimples heal faster and prevented post-acne scarring. 44 mentions
Hyperpigmentation
Some evidence
Niacinamide: 4 studies tested it directly. See all 17 studies
On Reddit: Post-acne pigmentation gets praise from a user without active acne, who says it helps, though others report breakouts. 14 mentions
What the studies found
- All 4 studies that tested it directly found it helped fade dark spots or patches
- It reduced facial dark spots better than a moisturizer without niacinamide
- Women with chloasma saw darker patches improve more when nicotinamide was added to salicylic acid
- Studies also found facial skin looked lighter as dark spots faded
Anti-Aging
Some evidence
Niacinamide: 2 studies tested it directly. See all 8 studies
Skin Barrier
Not proven yet
Few or mixed studies. This claim isn't established.
Niacinamide: 1 study tested it directly. See all 17 studies
On Reddit: Oily, acne-prone routines get a lighter, gel-like cream often used in the morning without a sticky feel. 114 mentions
Research context, not treatment advice. Studies are about the ingredient, not necessarily this exact product.
Real Reddit threads — 651 mentions across 25 threads
Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream on Reddit, in one place — 25 threads from r/tretinoin, r/koreanskincare and 2 more, summarized.
“after that, i use dr. althea 345 relief cream”
Positive
“It’s very lightweight.”
Positive
“it’s lightweight, hydrating, and layers really well with the rest of my routine.”
Positive
“Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream: This cream is more watery than the other ones.”
Positive
“It’s also gentle, moisturizing and odorless.”
Positive
“The Dr. Althea cream does feel more like a lotion than cream!”
Positive
“So far I've gotten: Dr. Althea 345 Cream”
Positive
“At this point they are my #1 source, with exceptions for sunscreen, and a few HG's, every time I go the selection gets better and better.”
Positive
“What have you found, and what do you think about k-beauty in costco?”
Positive
“- Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream”
Positive
“I really like the Dr Athena 345, it was my intro into Korean skincare.”
Positive
“I’ve gone through a few tubes already of the 345 but I feel like it’s just ok, but my skin tolerates it and it doesn’t break me out”
Positive
“Dr. Althea 345 moisturizer ($29.99 after rebate, normally $39.99)”
Positive
“Wow I spent $22 for a single 345 moisturizer! That’s incredible”
Positive
“The dr Althea moisturizer is amazing”
Positive
“VT reedleshot + Dr. Althea 345 has been pretty good at removing my acne dark spots.”
Positive
“i have it and love for my oily skin but 345 cream has saved me”
Positive
“my routine is Skin1004 ampoule foam cleanser, the skin1004 ampoule and i also have the soothing gel but i use 345 cream more”
Positive
Dupes & Alternatives
Often paired with
Products Redditors use alongside this one
Skin1004
Madagascar Centella Asiatica Ampoule
Mentioned together in 11 threads
“Then Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Asiatica Ampoule. Next: COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence. Moisturizer: Aveeno Calm + Restore Oat Gel or Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream.”
Beauty of Joseon
Relief Sun Aqua-Fresh: Rice + B5 SPF50+ PA++++
Mentioned together in 7 threads
“Dr althea 345 relief cream in the evening and beauty of joseon aqua relief sunscreen in the mornings”
COSRX
Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
Mentioned together in 6 threads
“AM - cerave oil cleanser, pair cream, snail mucin, 345 cream, BoJ spf”
Vaseline
Mentioned together in 5 threads
“I only put Vaseline at night and once I got a handle on the rashes (after a couple weeks) I would put Dr Althea 345 relief cream after showers.”
— r/eczema