The world of K-beauty isn't short of viral products, whether it's a collagen jelly cream that comes highly rated by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, or a covetedBB cream so good it sells one every 28 seconds. While the South Korean beauty market is brimming, not every product it launches into the social media stratosphere gets the seal of approval from celebrity make-up artists, dermatologists and major retailers alike. Dr. Althea's 345 Relief Cream, though, has defied the odds and done just that. Launching at Boots today - part of the high street giant's ongoing K-beauty expansion - the viral beauty buy is on sale right now for £18.69 thanks to a 15% off exclusive offer across the whole Dr. Althea range.
With over 18 million views under its belt, the 345 Relief Cream has been making waves on TikTok; in fact some 7.5K users have reviewed and credited it as the one product that has helped get their skin back on track after a bout of breakouts. And the A-listers love it, too. Earlier this year, Selena Gomez's long-time make-up artist, Hung Vanngo, revealed that he created her SAG Awards look using a line-up of Dr. Althea products, including its cult 345 Relief Cream which acted as the perfect base for the singer and actress's red carpet glam.
What is the Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream?
Dr. Althea's stand-out product functions as a soothing salve for sensitive, acne-prone, or lacklustre skin. It offers up a lightweight, gel-based layer that promises to deeply hydrate and calm while strengthening the skin barrier and tempering the appearance of hyperpigmentation.
The 345 Relief Cream's simplistic and clinical approach to healthy skin is reflected in its name and packaging. It's called '345' because it contains three ingredients that work to reduce both the appearance and the occurrence of blemishes (niacinamide, resveratrol, and hibiscus sabdariffa flower extract), four ingredients to nourish skin (beta-glucan, hydrolysed hyaluronic acid, evening primrose, and red seaweed extract), and five ingredients to soothe it (centella asiatica, jasmine, heartleaf extract, lavender and ceramide NP), all of which are clearly marked on the box packaging and the tube itself.
What do the experts think?
Dr. Aamna Adel, consultant dermatologist and Grazia Beauty Panel member, agrees that the viral skin soother is worthy of its spotlight. 'Barrier creams have had a huge surge in popularity over the last few years, with people focusing on repairing their skin barriers,' says Dr Adel, 'they are popular as an alternative to slugging with Vaseline, especially for people with oily or acne-prone skin.' Dr Adel praises the product's texture too, ' a lot of barrier creams can be super thick or leave a white layer on the skin but this is more lightweight and absorbs fast.'
Dr Christine Hall, GP, emergency medicine doctor and aesthetic physician, agrees, 'What makes it stand out in a busy skincare market is its compatibility with compromised skin,' Dr Hall says, 'it's rare to find an acne-fighting cream that doesn't sting or disrupt but rather soothes as it treats. While no single product is a miracle cure, I do think the 345 Relief Cream deserves the attention it’s getting. It’s definitely well-formulated, smartly designed and genuinely effective.'
The formula is gentle, thanks to the brand swerving common irritants like fragrance and alcohols, instead relying on gentle actives that are proven to work. Centella asiatica, a K-beauty hero ingredient, is known to calm inflammation and support the skin's own reparative processes; ceramides and panthenol rebuild skin barriers that are often left damaged by acne; low-molecular weight hyaluronic acid helps moisture to penetrate deeper, which prevents the kind of dehydration that can lead to breakouts.
Dr. Althea's 345 Relief Cream is a prime example of K-beauty's skin-first philosophy. 'K-beauty is all about treating skin respectfully and not aggressively,' says Dr. Hall, 'K-beauty has long been ahead of the curve when it comes to treating skin holistically. Rather than stripping or over correcting, it focuses on nourishment, repair and balance. The 345 Relief Cream is a great example of this. It's not just tackling breakouts, it’s restoring the skin's microbiome, calming inflammation and strengthening the skin barrier all at once. It’s the kind of formulation that prioritises long-term skin health over short-term fixes.'
Shop: Dr Althea 345 Relief Cream
www.boots.com
What the brand says: '345 Relief Cream is a regenerating ointment gel cream rich in nutrients that skillfully combines ingredients to address blemishes, nourish the skin, and provide soothing care, resulting in a well-rounded skincare solution.'
What we know: With over 18 million views on TikTok, this skin salve has been making waves online and collecting rave reviews thanks to its gentle yet effective formula that works to quell inflammation and irritation in acne-prone and sensitive skin types. It works in three folds with three ingredients to fight blemishes, four ingredients to nourish, and five ingredients to soothe.
Dr. Christine Hall, GP and aesthetic doctor, says: 'There’s a genuine appetite now for skincare that delivers results without compromising the skin barrier, especially among people dealing with acne and sensitivity. Dr. Althea’s 345 Relief Cream has most likely gained traction because it manages to tread that line so delicately. The hype isn’t just marketing, it’s coming from people seeing real, visible improvements. The formulation avoids common irritants such as no added fragrance and no alcohols and instead relies on proven, gentle actives. It’s targeting inflammation rather than just bacteria, which is a more modern, nuanced approach to acne treatment. The texture is lightweight and absorbs quickly, so it won’t clog pores or overwhelm the skin. It also supports barrier function which is crucial since many people with acne are using products that unintentionally make their skin more reactive. It’s not a pharmaceutical so I wouldn’t use it as a replacement for prescription-strength treatments in severe cases but as part of a daily regimen, particularly for those with inflamed or sensitive skin, it’s a great choice.'
Pros
- Gentle and effective
- Suitable for acne-prone sensitive skin
Cons
- Metal tube packaging can tear
Sameeha Shaikh is Grazia's beauty writer, covering all categories to bring you insights on the latest trends, industry news and the products you need to know about, viral or not (most probably viral).