Why Dr. Althea 345NA Relief Cream Is a Must-Have for Sensitive Skin
Quick Summary: Dr.Althea 345 Relief Cream is a soothing Korean moisturiser built around Dr.Althea's 345NA complex, with niacinamide and panthenol. It calms skin that looks red or feels sensitive and stressed, and adds comfortable moisture without heaviness, which makes it a strong choice for Pakistani skin dealing with redness, heat and product sensitivity.
Looking to buy? See the Dr.Althea 345 Relief Cream: original from Seoul, Cash on Delivery, with the live price on the product page.
If your skin turns red at the slightest touch, stings when you apply most serums, or has been damaged by overuse of harsh products, you need a moisturiser made for stressed, sensitive skin. Pakistan's climate, with strong sun for much of the year, hot summers and drying winter winds in the north, is hard on skin with a weakened moisture barrier. The Dr.Althea 345 Relief Cream, often called the 345NA cream, has become one of the most recommended Korean options for exactly this type of reactive skin. But what does “345NA” actually mean, and is it the right choice for your skin type?
Understanding the 345NA Formula: What Has Changed?
The 345 Relief Cream is built around Dr.Althea's own soothing ingredient blend, the 345NA complex, which gives the cream its name. Alongside it are two well-known skin-comfort ingredients: niacinamide (vitamin B3), which supports the skin barrier and helps the tone look more even over time, and panthenol (vitamin B5), which helps the skin hold moisture and feel calm and comfortable.
What has changed is the version on the shelf. The 345 Relief Cream we sell is the renewed version, Dr.Althea's newer edition of the cream. So if you have seen “345”, “345NA” and “345 Relief Cream” used for what looks like the same jar, that is because they refer to the same cream; the renewed version is simply the current one.
The texture is a soft, light cream that spreads easily and feels comfortable, not heavy. That makes it easy to wear in humid weather on combination skin, while still giving enough moisture for most skin in drier months.
Why Pakistani Sensitive Skin Needs This Cream
Many Pakistani women develop sensitive, reactive skin through a common cycle: harsh creams irritate the skin, the barrier weakens, skin becomes sensitive to everything, more harsh products are applied, and the cycle gets worse. Years of strong sun without daily sunscreen add to that stress over time.
The 345 Relief Cream helps break the cycle by doing the basics well. Panthenol helps the skin hold moisture and feel calm, so tightness and stinging ease. Niacinamide supports the skin barrier and, over time, helps the tone look more even, which suits the common Pakistani mix of an oily T-zone with sensitive cheeks. The 345NA complex is there to soothe skin that looks red or feels stressed.
People dealing with dry, wind-chapped skin in northern winters can apply it to slightly damp skin and use a little more at night. In humid summers, a thin layer is enough, and its light feel means it does not sit heavily on acne-prone areas.
How to Layer the 345NA Relief Cream in a Pakistani Skincare Routine
For stressed or sensitive skin, simplicity matters most. Here is a sensible routine:
Morning: gentle cleanser (avoid strong foaming cleansers on sensitive skin) → alcohol-free toner → a pea-sized amount of 345 Relief Cream, warmed between your fingertips and pressed over the face and neck → broad-spectrum SPF 50 sunscreen. The cream does not replace sunscreen. Oily skin in humid summer can use a thin layer, or skip it in the morning if the sunscreen already feels moisturising.
Evening: double cleanse if you wore sunscreen or makeup → alcohol-free toner → your serum or active, if any → 345 Relief Cream as the last step. On very dry nights, use a slightly thicker layer. On nights when your skin feels irritated or sun-stressed, you can skip everything else and use the cream on its own; giving skin a rest is often the fastest way back to comfort.
With retinol or acids: the cream is a good partner for actives. On retinol nights, applying the cream first and the retinol on top can make the retinol feel gentler. If you are starting a retinoid, use it 2–3 nights a week at first, wear sunscreen every morning, and if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, ask your doctor first.
After threading or waxing: once the skin is calm and not broken, a thin layer can help it feel comfortable again. After any clinic procedure, follow your practitioner's aftercare instructions, and if your skin has a rash, broken skin or a condition that is getting worse, see a doctor before trying new products.
345NA vs 345 Original: Which Should You Choose?
You do not need to choose between them: “345NA” and the “345 Relief Cream” are the same Dr.Althea cream, and the renewed version is the current one. The real choice most Pakistani buyers face is between the 345 Relief Cream and Dr.Althea's richer 147 Barrier Cream:
| Feature | Dr.Althea 345 Relief Cream | Dr.Althea 147 Barrier Cream |
|---|---|---|
| Main focus | Calming red, sensitive or stressed skin | Supporting a dry, weak skin barrier |
| Key ingredients | 345NA complex, niacinamide, panthenol | Ceramides, centella asiatica, glycerin |
| Texture | Soft, light cream | Richer cream, comfortable, not greasy |
| Best for | Sensitive, combination and acne-prone skin | Dry and dehydrated skin, especially in winter |
| Step in the routine | Moisturiser, before sunscreen | Moisturiser, before sunscreen |
| Use together? | Yes: 345 in the morning | Yes: 147 at night in dry weather |
Choose the 345 Relief Cream if redness, sensitivity or stressed skin after breakouts or actives is your main concern. Choose the 147 Barrier Cream if your skin is mainly dry and tight. For a fuller comparison, read our guide to Dr.Althea 345 vs 147 Barrier Cream.
Recommended Products for Sensitive Skin Repair
Dr.Althea
345 Relief Cream (renewed)
The 345NA complex with niacinamide and panthenol in a soft, light cream for red, sensitive or stressed skin.
Dr.Althea
147 Barrier Cream 50ml (renewed)
A richer ceramide cream with centella and glycerin for dry, tight skin; a good night cream next to the 345 in winter.
Dr.Althea
Renew Vitamin C Boosting Serum 30ml
Once your skin feels calm again, this gentle vitamin C derivative serum helps dull skin and an uneven-looking tone. Start every other morning, and wear SPF 50 daily.
Korean Skincare Pakistan is an Official Authentic seller of Dr.Althea in Pakistan. See the full Dr.Althea collection, read about our sourcing on the Dr.Althea in Pakistan page, or compare it with another favourite in our Centellian24 Madeca Cream vs Dr.Althea guide.
Dr.Althea 345 Relief Cream: frequently asked questions
What is Dr.Althea 345 Relief Cream used for?
Dr.Althea 345 Relief Cream is a soothing Korean moisturiser for skin that feels red, sensitive or stressed. It is built around Dr.Althea's 345NA complex with niacinamide and panthenol, and it adds comfortable moisture without feeling heavy. It suits sensitive, combination and acne-prone skin, and skin using retinol or acids. Use it morning and evening as the moisturiser step, before sunscreen in the morning.
What is the difference between 345NA and the Dr.Althea 345 cream?
They are the same cream. 345NA is the name of Dr.Althea's own soothing ingredient complex, and it is what gives the 345 Relief Cream its name, so many people simply call it the 345NA cream or the 345 cream. The version Korean Skincare Pakistan sells is the renewed version, Dr.Althea's newer edition of the 345 Relief Cream, with the 345NA complex, niacinamide and panthenol.
Is Dr.Althea 345 Relief Cream good for acne-prone skin?
Yes, for most people. Its product page lists combination and acne-prone skin among the best matches, and its soft, light texture does not feel heavy. It calms and moisturises rather than clearing pimples, so pair it with a targeted product such as a salicylic acid cleanser if breakouts are your main concern. Patch-test on the jawline for 24 hours if you have reacted to Dr.Althea products before.
Where can I buy original Dr.Althea 345 cream in Pakistan?
Korean Skincare Pakistan is an Official Authentic seller of Dr.Althea in Pakistan. Our stock is bought directly from official brand manufacturers and authorised distributors in Seoul, every inbound batch is batch-code verified, and parcels ship from our Seoul warehouse by air with Cash on Delivery nationwide. You can also use our free batch-code verification to confirm your cream is original and fresh.
Can I use the 345 Relief Cream in a dry winter?
Yes. Apply it to slightly damp skin after toner to hold in more moisture, and use a slightly thicker layer at night. If your skin is very dry and flaky in winter, you may need a richer cream: many people use the 345 Relief Cream in the morning and the Dr.Althea 147 Barrier Cream, a richer ceramide cream, at night during the coldest months.
How long does it take for 345 Relief Cream to calm sensitive skin?
Many people notice skin feels more comfortable, with less tightness and stinging, within the first days of use, but a stressed skin barrier usually takes several weeks of gentle, consistent care to settle. Keep the routine simple, stop harsh scrubs and strong actives while it recovers, and wear sunscreen daily. If redness, rash or broken skin is getting worse, see a doctor.
Should I choose Dr.Althea 345 or 147 Barrier Cream?
Choose the 345 Relief Cream if your main concern is redness, sensitivity or skin that feels stressed after breakouts or actives. Choose the 147 Barrier Cream if your skin is mainly dry and tight; it is a richer cream with ceramides, centella and glycerin. If your skin is both sensitive and dry, use the 345 in the morning and the 147 at night.
