Table of Contents
- The Composition of Dr Althea 345 and 147 Creams
- 345 vs 147 Dr Althea: What Are the Real Differences?
- Which Dr Althea Cream to Choose for Your Skin?
- FAQ
Same packaging, noticeably different formulations: this Dr Althea 345 vs 147 comparison helps you identify which one suits your skin, depending on whether you're looking to soothe blemishes or restore a weakened skin barrier.
The Composition of Dr Althea 345 and 147 Creams
The Dr Althea creams look similar visually, but they don't address the same skin needs. The two formulas diverge on texture, level of nourishment, and formulation logic: on one side, a cream oriented towards uneven skin tone and redness, and on the other, a barrier cream designed to limit discomfort and support hydration.
The Key Actives in the 345 Relief Cream
The Dr Althea 345 formula is built around several well-targeted actives: niacinamide at 10,000 ppm to help even out the complexion and regulate excess sebum, panthenol to retain moisture and calm discomfort, centella asiatica to soothe redness and support the skin, then resveratrol to help protect the skin from oxidative stress, and adenosine to soften and smooth the skin's appearance.
The formula also includes tea tree, calendula, and propolis extracts, in a vegan base free from fragrance and silicones. In practice, this combination speaks primarily to skin prone to blemishes, post-spot marks, and diffuse sensitivity, with a lighter feel than a traditional repair cream.
The Star Ingredients in the 147 Barrier Cream
By contrast, the 147 Barrier Cream prioritises immediate comfort and repair of the protective film. K-beauty addresses this concern with 147 technology: seven types of hyaluronic acid of varying molecular weights, designed to maintain hydration at multiple levels of the skin.
Formulation plays a key role here: ceramides help to reinforce the skin barrier, while plant oils such as avocado, camellia, and argan add suppleness to dry and dehydrated skin. Once absorbed, the finish is more enveloping than that of the 345, which is particularly noticeable on very dry or reactive skin.
White peony extract completes the formula with a soothing and anti-ageing effect, complementing the centella asiatica already present. Panthenol, also incorporated into the 147 Barrier Cream, helps soothe tightness in a richer texture suited to sensitised skin.
345 vs 147 Dr Althea: What Are the Real Differences?
The difference between these two treatments goes beyond texture. It comes down to their role in the routine: the 345 Relief Cream targets skin prone to blemishes and redness, while the 147 Barrier Cream focuses primarily on comfort, nourishment, and support of the skin barrier.
Texture, Finish and Application Timing
The difference is felt from the very first application. The 345 Relief Cream is a lightweight cream with a gel-cream finish, fresh and quick to absorb, designed to stay discreet on oily or combination skin. By contrast, the 147 Barrier Cream leaves a softer, more protective veil, useful when skin is lacking comfort.
The difference also comes down to timing: the 345 works very well in the morning, especially if SPF or makeup follows, while the 147 more naturally finds its place in the evening, when the goal is to hydrate and limit water loss.
- 345 Relief Cream: morning — its lightweight gel-cream texture and mattifying effect make it a comfortable base under makeup, particularly for oily or combination skin.
- 147 Barrier Cream: evening — its richer formula works well at the end of a routine, especially when skin feels tight or reacts easily.
- Combination skin: dual use — the 345 in the morning for a lightweight treatment, the 147 in the evening to reinforce skin comfort.
In practice, the 345 dries down quickly enough not to interfere with SPF application, while the 147 is better suited for when no matte finish is needed.
| Criteria | 345 Relief Cream | 147 Barrier Cream |
| Target skin type | Combination to oily, acne-prone | Dry, dehydrated, mature |
| Texture | Lightweight gel-cream | Rich, creamy texture |
| Main goal | Soothe, even out, mattify | Nourish, reinforce the barrier |
| Recommended timing | Morning (and/or evening) | Evening (and/or morning in winter) |
| Key actives | Niacinamide, centella, panthenol | Ceramides, 7 HA types, plant oils |
Which Skin Type for Each Cream?
The 345 Relief Cream is primarily for skin that becomes shiny quickly, marks easily after spots, or needs to soothe visible minor inflammation. Thanks to actives like niacinamide and panthenol, it calms redness and suits sensitive skin that doesn't tolerate richer finishes well.
The 147 is more suited to skin that's lacking in lipids, suppleness, or has been weakened by exfoliants and retinoids. It works well when the skin barrier seems compromised, with a more noticeable feeling of tightness on waking or after cleansing.
Can You Use Both Creams Together?
For combination skin, alternating between the two is often the most practical approach. The 345 is useful when blemishes return or skin becomes oilier, while the 147 comes into play when cold weather, strong actives, or temporary sensitivity call for soothing and consolidating the skin barrier.
This combination also works well when skin needs evolve throughout the year. Depending on your skin type, alternating can be done between morning and evening, or simply from one period to another, with a clear logic: lightweight texture and discreet finish on one side, more enveloping comfort on the other.
Which Dr Althea Cream to Choose for Your Skin?
The choice becomes fairly straightforward once the need is clearly identified. In practice, the difference comes down to the skin's current state: the 345 Relief Cream targets blemishes, shine, and redness, while the 147 Barrier Cream is better suited when skin feels tight, lacks suppleness, or is losing comfort.
The 345 for Blemish-Prone Skin
The Dr Althea 345 Relief Cream is a fragrance-free vegan cream designed for acne-prone skin, including when the skin type is sensitive. This product is available at specialist K-beauty retailers like SKINOREA, with a clearer selection of the range.
Formulation plays a key role here: niacinamide at 10,000 ppm to help fade post-blemish marks and visually even out the complexion, centella asiatica and madecassoside to soothe discomfort and calm redness. Its gel-cream texture also matters: lightweight, quick to absorb, and without a greasy film, it suits skin that struggles with richer creams.
Once absorbed, this discreet finish makes it easy to layer a targeted anti-mark treatment on top. As a complement, the Dr. Althea Post Acne Boosting Duo Pack pairs the 345 Relief Cream with a serum enriched with rosehip water and tranexamic acid, to extend the action on marks left by spots.
The 147 for Dry and Dehydrated Skin
For skin that feels tight and lacks comfort, the 147 Barrier Cream offers a more direct response than the 345. It is better suited to dry or dehydrated skin, with an approach centred on the skin barrier: multiple forms of hyaluronic acid to retain moisture, and ceramides to maintain that hydration over a longer period.
What concretely sets them apart is the final sensation. Where the 345 favours a fresher, lighter texture, the 147 Barrier Cream wraps the skin more and helps limit tightness, particularly in cold weather, periods of skin stress, or after an intense routine.
How to Incorporate These Creams into Your Routine
Both creams are used at the end of a routine, after a gentle cleanser, toner, and serums. In the morning, the 345 Relief Cream works well before sunscreen thanks to its lightweight texture; in the evening, the 147 Barrier Cream takes over when skin needs more comfort.
Depending on your skin type, it is also possible to alternate between the two rather than choosing just one. The full Dr. Althea range is available on SKINOREA, and the anti-blemish cream is available separately to more directly target skin prone to blemishes, redness, and the discomfort of sensitive skin.
FAQ
What is the difference between the Dr Althea 345 Relief Cream and the 147 Barrier Cream?
The difference comes down to texture and the target concern. The 345 Relief Cream is a lightweight cream with a gel-cream finish, designed for combination to oily skin, particularly when dealing with blemishes and redness: niacinamide helps regulate excess sebum, while centella asiatica soothes.
By contrast, the 147 Barrier Cream offers a more enveloping texture and clearer lipid support. Its formula, rich in ceramides and hyaluronic acid, is better suited to dry skin or dehydrated skin, when the goal is to reinforce the skin barrier and better retain moisture within the skin.
How do you choose between the 345 and the 147 based on your skin type?
The right choice starts with skin type and the visible signals you experience day to day. Combination skin or skin that's prone to shine, visible pores, and minor blemishes generally points towards the 345. If skin feels tight, lacks suppleness, or shows clear dehydration, the 147 is better suited to that profile.
In practice, both can coexist within the same routine. The 345 works well in the morning for a lighter feel, and the 147 in the evening to rebuild the lipid film and limit nocturnal moisture loss.
Is the Dr Althea 345 Relief Cream also suitable for sensitive skin?
Yes, the 345 Relief Cream can also suit sensitive skin. Its formula, free from artificial fragrance, parabens, and silicones, relies on soothing actives such as centella asiatica, panthenol, and madecassoside, which help calm redness from the very first applications.
Formulation plays a key role here: if this sensitivity is accompanied mainly by excess sebum or uneven texture, the 345 remains a coherent choice. Additionally, if skin becomes uncomfortable or lacks lipids, the 147 Barrier Cream will be better suited for lasting hydration and to reinforce the skin barrier.