345 Relief Cream — Reddit Reviews
by Dr. Althea
Updated October 18, 2026
Niacinamide brightens marks and supports barrier hydration; lightweight gel-cream, breakout-prone skin may disagree.
What the community says
A lightweight gel-cream moisturizer with niacinamide, panthenol, ceramide NP, and soothing centella ingredients. Best for oily or combination skin needing daytime barrier support and a non-greasy finish. Clogged pores, reactive skin, or fungal acne can turn this into a gamble.
What this means for you
What people love
- Lightweight gel-cream that disappears under sunscreen and makeup
- Niacinamide helps fade post-acne marks
- Comfortable on oily or combination skin without greasy shine
Watch out for
- Closed comedones and forehead bumps show up for clog-prone users
- Tea tree water and niacinamide can sting reactive, already-irritated skin
- Too light for very dry skin; hydration can fade by morning
Product details
What the science says vs. what Reddit says
Acne
Some evidence
Niacinamide: 6 studies tested it on its own. See all 17 studies
On Reddit: After five years of breakouts, one user says the original version cleared their skin. 41 mentions
Hyperpigmentation
Some evidence
Niacinamide: 4 studies tested it on its own. See all 17 studies
On Reddit: Post-acne pigmentation gets the clearest mentions, with users reporting fading old marks and more even tone. 13 mentions
What the studies found
Anti-Aging
Some evidence
Niacinamide: 2 studies tested it on its own. See all 8 studies
Skin Barrier
Not proven yet
Few or mixed studies. This claim isn't established.
Niacinamide: 1 study tested it on its own. See all 17 studies
On Reddit: After retinoid overuse, users reach for it on damaged areas; another says it doesn’t sting on active acne. 112 mentions
Research context, not treatment advice. Studies are about the ingredient, not necessarily this exact product.
Real Reddit threads — 583 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
“multiple videos comparing the product (and claiming it to be superior to) dr.Althea 345 cream”
Mentioned
“having guidelines for creators to have their promoting videos begin with talking about how 'other (popular) barrier creams don't work for you'”
Mentioned
“This claim belittles other brands to put your own brand on a pedestal with questionable methods.”
Mentioned
