You know how sometimes you buy a skincare product because everyone online recommends it, and you’re like, “Okay, this is it, this will fix everything”? I totally did that with the 345 Relief Cream. I’d heard the hype, saw it in my feed, read the ingredients, clicked “add to cart” you know how the story goes. My skin had been a roller-coaster , so I hoped this cream would calm things down. But did it? Let’s walk through what I found, what worked, what didn’t, and whether, IMO, it’s really worth it.
What is Dr. Althea 345?
Formulation overview
The 345 Relief Cream touts being a lightweight, regenerating gel-cream aimed at post-acne skin, soothing irritation, fading dark spots, supporting the barrier. DR.ALTHEA+2ulta.com+2 It lists a bunch of “3 blemish relief ingredients / 4 nourishing / 5 soothing” on its packaging. ulta.com For example:
- Niacinamide (brightening, fading marks) ulta.com
- Ceramide NP (barrier support) DR.ALTHEA
- Tea-tree leaf water / Centella Asiatica (soothing, calming) Amazon
Key claims
- Non-comedogenic, suitable for acne-prone skin. DR.ALTHEA+1
- Lightweight texture, absorbs fast, not heavy or greasy. ulta.com
- Helps with post-acne marks & blemishes (dark spots, red marks) in addition to general soothing. YesStyle
So yes, in the abstract, it ticks a lot of boxes for someone like me with acne-prone skin, post-breakout marks, and a bit of sensitivity. The big question: how did it perform?
My personal experience
Starting out
When I started using the 345 Relief Cream, I applied it as my night moisturizer about every other evening (I was still using actives like salicylic acid and a retinol every other night). My skin at that time: combination-leaning-oily, some active breakouts, lots of red marks and faint texture from past acne.
What worked
- The texture: I loved how it felt. It had a gel-cream consistency, light, non-sticky, and sank in pretty fast. I didn’t feel like I had a heavy coat on my face which was great.
- Days when my skin was irritated (hello mask-ne or friction from gym), it calmed things down. I woke up with less redness than usual.
- It did appear to help fade some red-marks over several weeks. I noticed the shade of post-acne spots was slightly lighter after 6–8 weeks.
What didn’t work (and yes, there were issues)
- Hydration level: There were nights when I woke up with very slight dry patches or flakiness despite using the cream. I felt sometimes it wasn’t rich enough for my skin on the nights I used strong actives.
- Sunscreen pilling: This surprised me. On multiple occasions I found that the 345 layered under my sunscreen caused pilling (those little bits of product that flake off). I tried three different sunscreens, same issue. (A user on Reddit mentioned this too) Reddit
- It’s not a magic fix: While I had some improvement in redness and mark-fading, I didn’t see dramatic changes in texture or very deep marks. I still needed my other actives and consistent routine.
- Price vs. benefit: Considering what I got, I felt the value wasn’t exceptional. If a simpler cream had done the same job (for me), I might have been happier saving the money.
Pros & Cons Summary
✅ What I liked
- Lightweight, comfortable texture, no heavy mask feeling.
- Good for soothing irritated or inflamed skin.
- Contains quality actives (niacinamide, ceramide, centella) and markets itself toward acne-prone skin.
- Vegan, free of fragrance and artificial colours (according to the brand) ulta.com
❌ What I didn’t like
- Not deeply hydrating enough on very dry or irritated nights (in my case).
- Sunscreen pilling risk when layered under certain formulas.
- Improvement was moderate, not dramatic so expectations need to be realistic.
- It felt more like a nice upgrade rather than a skincare miracle (IMO).
How it compares with similar products
If you’re shopping in this category (moisturizers for acne-prone skin / post-acne marks), you might consider alternatives:
- CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum (with niacinamide + retinol) if you lean more active-treatment than just a cream.
- La Roche‑Posay Effaclar Mat or the Toleriane line if you want something tried & tested.
- First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream if your barrier is very compromised and you need extra rich recovery.
In comparison: The 345 bill itself as everyday soothing plus post-acne care, but if your concerns are major texture problems or you need richer barrier repair, you might get greater value elsewhere. If your skin is oily/combination, post-acne marks, and you prefer lighter textures, 345 might align nicely.
Who should try it and who maybe skip it
Try it if:
- You have acne-prone or breakout-recovering skin and you prefer lighter moisturizers.
- You want a soothing, calming cream that supports your active routine (but won’t replace actives).
- You care about vegan, fragrance-free formulas and pretty minimalist textures.
Maybe skip or adjust if:
- You have very dry skin or your skin barrier is super damaged you might need something richer.
- Your sunscreen or morning layering is tricky and you’ve experienced product-pilling in the past.
- You expect a drastic overnight transformation (hint: prettier but still requires consistent use).
My Final Verdict: Is it Worth It?
In short: Yes, but with caveats. I think the 345 Relief Cream is worth trying if your skin situation fits the “soothing post-breakout mark / calming” category and you like lightweight textures. It felt comfortable, did deliver some improvement, and won’t clog your pores (for me it didn’t).
However, it’s not a miracle wand. If I were grading it I’d give it maybe a 7.5/10 for cost-to-performance in my skincare situation. It helped moderate things, I felt better using it than a basic drugstore cream, but I didn’t replace all my other steps with it. If your budget is tighter or you need more heavy-duty help, you might consider a richer cream or something that already includes stronger actives built in.
So if you’re shopping: go for it, but manage your expectations. Use it as part of a broader routine (cleansing, exfoliating, actives, sunscreen) don’t expect it alone to fix everything. Start slow, patch-test, and give it at least 6–8 weeks to show meaningful change. That’s how most skincare success stories happen.
Tips for Using It (So You Get the Best Results)
- Apply after your toner/serum step, as a final cream.
- Use at night (or if you use it in the day, be sure you follow with good sunscreen).
- Pair with your usual actives (retinol, salicylic acid) but don’t skip moisturizer, this cream itself doesn’t replace your other key steps.
- If you notice sunscreen pilling, switch it around: use this cream at night only and keep your morning moisturizer lighter or more compatible.
- Be patient. Treatments for post-acne marks and texture take time, consistent use beats chasing every new “viral” product.
Quick FAQs
Will this cream treat active breakouts?
Not primarily. It’s more about post-acne care, marks, and soothing. If you’re looking for strong breakout-fighting actives (like benzoyl peroxide, adapalene), keep those in your routine and use this as support.
Will it clog my pores?
In my experience & from reviews, no major pore-clog issues. But skin is personal, if you notice congestion, stop use and assess. For instance, one Reddit user said:
“This cream did nothing for me… it wasn’t hydrating and my sunscreen pilled.” Reddit
How soon will I see results?
Expect subtle improvements (like less redness, smoother feel) in about 4-6 weeks. Fading dark marks might take 8+ weeks consistently. Set that expectation now.
Summary
So, is the 345 Relief Cream worth it? Yes! if you’re going in with the right mindset: a supportive cream, not a magical fix. I liked it. My skin felt better using it. But I also kept my other good habits in place (cleansing, actives, sunscreen). The best skincare isn’t one single product; it’s a team thing.
If you buy it, treat it as part of your routine, not the whole routine. Try it for two months, track your changes (take photos!), and if you don’t see progress, it’s okay, you’ll know more about what your skin really needs. 🙂
Now go ahead, relax into your skincare routine, high-five your reflection for trying something new, and most important: give your skin time to show up for you.
