Dr. Althea Explained: What Makes This Korean Skincare Brand So Popular?
If you love exploring the world of Korean skincare, you’ve probably noticed the rising buzz around Dr. Althea. Known for its calming formulas, lightweight textures and barrier-strengthening ingredients, the brand has quickly become a favourite for skincare lovers looking for reliable results without irritation.
Today, we’re taking a closer look at Dr. Althea’s most loved products - from soothing creams to brightening serums and hydrating toner pads. Whether you're new to K-beauty or expanding your routine, these essentials are perfect for achieving healthy, glowing skin!
A calming everyday moisturiser for sensitive and acne-prone skin
One of the brand’s most-loved products, the Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream is a refreshing gel-cream created to soothe stressed, irritated or post-acne skin. Its lightweight texture delivers deep, lasting hydration without any heaviness, making it perfect for anyone dealing with redness, breakouts or a weakened skin barrier.
Packed with skin-supporting ingredients like Niacinamide and Resveratrol, it helps fade dark spots, refine pores and restore clarity, while Prickly pear extract, Hyaluronic Acid and Beta-Glucan boost moisture and keep the skin feeling soft and balanced. Panthenol, Centella Asiatica and Ceramides work together to reduce irritation and strengthen the barrier for healthier, calmer skin over time.
Why it stands out
- Helps the skin recover after breakouts or irritation
- Calms redness and reinforces the barrier
- Lightweight gel-cream texture ideal for daily use
- Great for combination, oily and sensitive skin
- Keeps the complexion clear, balanced and comfortably hydrated
A perfect choice for anyone looking for a gentle Korean moisturiser that brings comfort, clarity and balance back to the skin.
Dr. Althea 147 Barrier Cream (50ml)
The Dr. Althea 147 Barrier Cream is a rich, comforting moisturiser designed to support dry, dehydrated or easily irritated skin. With its silky, cushiony texture, it delivers long-lasting moisture while helping to restore a stronger, healthier skin barrier - perfect for anyone experiencing tightness, flakiness or sensitivity.
Formulated with barrier-strengthening ingredients like Azulene and a blend of Ceramides (NP, AS and AP), it helps reinforce the skin’s natural protective layer and maintain essential moisture. Avocado and Peony root extracts provide soothing nourishment, while seven types of Hyaluronic Acid flood the skin with deep hydration, leaving it smooth, supple and visibly revitalised.
Why it stands out
- Restores and reinforces a weakened skin barrier
- Provides rich, long-lasting hydration without feeling heavy
- Helps soothe dryness, tightness and irritation
- Ideal for dry, dehydrated or combination-dry skin
- Leaves the complexion soft, plump and comfortably moisturised
A wonderful choice for anyone looking for a reliable Korean barrier cream that keeps the skin calm, cushioned and deeply hydrated every day.
Dr. Althea Grinding Cleansing Balm 50ml:
A gentle, nourishing cleansing balm for a smooth and effective double cleanse
The Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm is a beautifully soft, melting oil cleanser that makes the first step of any routine feel effortless. It dissolves SPF, makeup, even the stubborn kind and daily impurities without stripping the skin, leaving it clean, comfortable and refreshed.
Formulated with nourishing oils like camellia seed and grape seed, along with soothing Centella Asiatica extract, it removes buildup while supporting the skin’s natural moisture barrier. The balm transforms into a silky oil as it melts, helping to cleanse thoroughly while keeping the skin soft and hydrated. Added Madecassoside and Asiaticoside help calm sensitivity and promote a healthy, radiant complexion.
Its unique grinder-style dispenser keeps the formula fresh and hygienic, making it a pleasure to use every day.
Why it stands out
- Removes SPF, makeup and impurities with ease
- Melts into a silky oil for a thorough but gentle cleanse
- Nourishes and soothes with camellia, grape seed and centella
- Helps maintain the skin’s natural moisture balance
- Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive
- Hygienic grinder-type packaging keeps each use fresh
A perfect choice for anyone wanting a gentle yet effective Korean cleansing balm for a smooth, nourishing double cleanse
Dr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum 30ml
A gentle, glow-boosting vitamin C serum for brighter, even-toned skin
The Dr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum is a hypoallergenic brightening vitamin c serum designed to revive dull skin, improve uneven tone and restore a healthy glow, all without the irritation that often comes with strong vitamin C products. Lightweight and fast-absorbing, it’s ideal for those wanting visible radiance with a gentle touch.
Made with a 63% Vita Boosting Complex, this serum blends nine types of vitamins with antioxidant-rich sea buckthorn (Hippophae Rhamnoides) extract to deliver a high level of vitamin C benefits in a soothing, skin-friendly way. It contains 45,000ppm of brightening actives, including 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, D-Panthenol and Niacinamide to help suppress excess melanin, fade pigmentation and reduce the look of blemishes.
To keep the skin plump and hydrated, the formula also includes eight types of hyaluronic acid, leaving the skin moisturised, smooth and refreshed without any stickiness. This vegan serum supports the skin barrier while helping prevent dryness, fine lines and dullness for a clearer, more luminous complexion.
Why it stands out
- Brightens dull skin and evens out pigmentation
- Gentle, hypoallergenic formula suitable for sensitive skin
- High concentration of vitamin-rich ingredients for radiant clarity
- Helps fade blemishes, dark spots and uneven tone
- Hydrates deeply with eight types of hyaluronic acid
- Lightweight, non-sticky finish ideal for daily use
A great choice for anyone looking to add a gentle yet effective Korean vitamin C serum to their routine for smoother, brighter and more radiant skin.
Dr. Althea Rapid Firm Sculpting Cream 45ml
A firming, smoothing cream for lifted, revitalised and youthful-looking skin
The Dr. Althea Rapid Firm Sculpting Cream is a rejuvenating moisturiser designed to lift, smooth and refresh the complexion for a more sculpted, youthful appearance. It's lightweight yet deeply hydrating texture absorbs effortlessly, making it an easy addition to any routine.
Powered by Copper Tripeptide-1 - known for supporting elasticity and improving the look of early signs of ageing, this cream helps firm the skin while softening the appearance of fine lines. Six types of hyaluronic acid provide multi-layer hydration, leaving the skin plump, supple and comfortably moisturised throughout the day.
To further nourish and protect, the formula includes Edelweiss Extract for antioxidant support and shea butter to smooth and soften the skin. The result is a revitalised complexion with a healthy, lifted glow.
Why it stands out
- Helps lift and firm for a more sculpted appearance
- Copper Tripeptide-1 supports elasticity and reduces visible ageing
- Six types of hyaluronic acid deliver deep, lasting hydration
- Edelweiss Extract offers antioxidant protection
- Shea butter nourishes and leaves skin feeling soft and smooth
- Lightweight, fast-absorbing texture suitable for all skin types
- Helps improve fine lines and enhances overall skin suppleness
- Leaves the complexion hydrated, refreshed and naturally radiant
A great choice for anyone looking for a gentle yet effective Korean firming cream that revitalises the skin and boosts elasticity with every application.
Dr. Althea Anastatica Skin Conditioning Pad (65 pads)
A hydrating, soothing toner pad for smoother, brighter and well-balanced skin
The Dr. Althea Anastatica Skin Conditioning Pad is a dual-sided toner pad infused with 85% Anastatica extract, a resilient desert plant known for its remarkable ability to retain moisture and protect the skin from environmental stress. This moisture-boosting botanical helps revitalise tired skin, enhance hydration and restore a naturally healthy glow.
Each pad offers gentle, two-in-one care: a textured honeycomb side provides mild exfoliation to sweep away dead skin cells and refine texture, while the smooth side delivers calming hydration to soothe and condition the skin. With soothing allantoin and moisture-binding hyaluronic acid, these pads help reduce redness, support elasticity and strengthen the skin barrier.
Suitable for all skin types, especially dehydrated, irritated or sensitive skin, these toner pads make it easy to refresh, brighten and rebalance the complexion in just one simple step.
Why it stands out
- Contains 85% Anastatica extract to hydrate, protect and revitalise
- Gently exfoliates to smooth texture and brighten dull skin
- Supports elasticity and provides anti-ageing benefits
- Allantoin calms irritation and reduces redness
- Hyaluronic acid boosts deep hydration and strengthens the barrier
- Dual-sided design: textured side for exfoliating, smooth side for conditioning
- Leaves skin soft, refreshed and comfortably balanced
- Ideal for sensitive, dehydrated or tired-looking skin
A perfect everyday step for anyone wanting smoother, more radiant and well-nourished skin with minimal effort.
Final thoughts:
As K-beauty continues to evolve, Dr. Althea stands out for its gentle formulas, thoughtful ingredients and results that genuinely support healthier, calmer and more balanced skin. Whether you’re looking to repair your barrier, brighten your complexion or create a smoother, more radiant routine, each of these products offers something uniquely effective. Dr. Althea makes it easy to build a comforting, high-performing skincare routine that works in harmony with your skin and that’s exactly why it has become a favourite among K-beauty lovers worldwide.