Dr. Althea in Australia: The 345 Relief Cream Story, the 147 Barrier Cream and Which One to Choose

Most viral skincare burns bright and fades. The Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream did something less common. It kept selling. Year after year it turned up on the lists headed what actually works rather than what is trending, until the brand could announce that it had passed 35 million units sold worldwide. That is not hype. That is habit.

The Beauty Desk · Dr. Althea · 8 minute read

If you have searched for dr althea, dr althea australia, dr althea 345 or dr althea cream, here is the full picture. Browse the range in our Dr. Althea collection.

The brand behind the cream

According to pharmacist and retailer profiles, Dr. Althea was born in Seoul in 2018 within the Korean dermatology ecosystem that supplies Gangnam's aesthetic clinics, and positions itself as dermatologist-tested. A pharmacist reviewer noted that this matters: it is not just another K-beauty brand built around packaging and social media. The formulas are designed for skin that needs comfort, barrier support and a more careful routine.

What the numbers mean

The name is not random. Reviewers explain that 345 describes the structure of the formula: three blemish-care ingredients, four nourishing ingredients and five soothing ingredients, twelve in all, working in layers. The brand highlights centella asiatica, niacinamide and panthenol, and one pharmacist-led review noted niacinamide and panthenol each at 10,000 ppm. The cream is described as a lightweight gel-cream designed to soothe, hydrate and support the skin barrier without clogging pores, and is described as fungal acne-safe.

The milestone

In September 2026 the brand announced that the 345 Relief Cream had passed 35 million units sold worldwide, and that it was expanding the 345 line into a six-piece collection, adding a serum, cream mist, cream mask, spot powder and milky cleansing oil. It has also been recognised at major beauty awards in the United States. We do not currently stock the new additions, so check our Dr. Althea collection for what is available.

The 345 Relief Cream

The Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream (50ml, $34.00) is the one most people start with. It suits post-breakout, sensitive and irritated-looking skin. Use it as the moisturising step, morning or night.

The 147 Barrier Cream

The Dr. Althea 147 Barrier Cream ($34.00) is the barrier-focused sibling. If your skin feels tight, stripped or over-exfoliated, this is the one to look at. The Dr.Althea Dual Cream Set (345 and 147) ($76.00) gives you both.

The rest of the range

The Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm ($29.95) and the Dr. Althea Green Relief Amino Gel Cleanser ($25.00) handle cleansing. The Dr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum ($32.00) and the Dr. Althea Gentle Vitamin C Serum ($32.00) are the brightening-feel serums. Introduce vitamin C slowly and wear sunscreen.

Why barrier care is the big idea

Trend coverage for 2026 describes barrier-focused skincare, built on ceramides, panthenol and soothing ingredients, as one of the dominant directions in Korean beauty, alongside a shift away from aggressive correction towards preventive skin health. Dr. Althea sits squarely in that movement.

A simple routine

1. Cleanse gently.
2. Moisturise with the 345 Relief Cream.
3. Sunscreen every morning.
4. Add one new product at a time.

When to see a professional

If your skin is painful, persistently inflamed or not improving, speak to a doctor or dermatologist. A cosmetic cream is not a treatment for a skin condition.

Around Australia

• Sydney, NSW: a light gel-cream for humid days.
• Melbourne, VIC: add the Barrier Cream in winter.
• Brisbane and the Gold Coast, QLD: the 345 alone.
• Perth, WA: barrier care in dry air.
• Adelaide, SA: swap with the season.
• Canberra, ACT: the Dual Set.
• Hobart, TAS: richer layers.
• Darwin, NT: the 345 only.

Where we fit in

Eastern Curlew is an authorised Dr. Althea stockist and we dispatch from Sydney. We sell the products mentioned, so weigh our view accordingly. Prices come from the live product pages and can change.

Frequently asked questions

What does 345 mean in Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream?
Three blemish-care, four nourishing and five soothing ingredients.

Is the 345 cream good for sensitive skin?
It is designed for sensitive, easily irritated skin. Patch test first.

345 or 147?
345 for sensitive, blemish-prone skin. 147 for barrier support.

How much is Dr. Althea in Australia?
The 345 Relief Cream is $34.00 at Eastern Curlew.

Where can I buy Dr. Althea in Australia?
From Eastern Curlew, an authorised stockist, dispatched from Sydney.

This article is general information only. It is not medical advice and does not replace advice from a doctor or dermatologist. Results vary from person to person, and you should patch test new products. This guide draws on our own product pages and on published reviews, brand announcements and editorial coverage from Australian and international beauty and K-beauty publications and independent reviewers. Product information may change. Last checked: 10 November 2026.