Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream Versus Dr. Althea Gentle Vitamin C Serum
Updated on July 31, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan and reef safe . They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain niacinamide
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens or sulfates
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream 39 ingredients
Dr. Althea Gentle Vitamin C Serum 20 ingredients
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream 39 ingredients
Dr. Althea Gentle Vitamin C Serum 20 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
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Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterPropanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use.
It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about Propanediol1,2-Hexanediol is a multi-tasker ingredient. It acts as a preservative to increase shelf-life and can aid other preservatives in preventing microbe growth. 1,2-Hexanediol also helps the skin retain moisture as a humectant.
In products that are water-based, this ingredient can help stabilize perfumes and fragrances. It can also help make the texture of products softer and more smooth.
Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.
It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation. It also helps fade dark-spots and strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.
Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.
The cherry on top? Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.
Learn more about NiacinamideButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
- It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
- It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
- It helps improve product application.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken and improve the texture of products.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is also an emulsifier. Due to its properties, it can prevent water and oil ingredients from separating.
Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Tromethamine is an aliphatic compound. An aliphatic compound is an organic compound with open-chained carbon atoms. It is synthetically created. Tromethamine is used to balance pH and improve texture.
As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.
1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-
Learn more about TromethamineIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream 39 ingredients
Dr. Althea Gentle Vitamin C Serum 20 ingredients
![](https://skinsort.com/assets/routine_creator/when_to_use_card-684ec64d.webp)
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream 39 ingredients
zell
Made me break out soo badly after just one use. I really wanted to love this because it does feel super nice when I apply it and it was getting a...
Made me break out soo badly after just one use. I really wanted to love this because it does feel super nice when I apply it and it was getting a ton of hype on social media.
Alia Jones
this has a very thick cream with a numbing feeling when first applied to the skin. i tried a very similar consistency, smell and feel of Medicube...
this has a very thick cream with a numbing feeling when first applied to the skin. i tried a very similar consistency, smell and feel of Medicube red cream i tried recently. this is much affordable. its just as hydrating.
Dr. Althea Gentle Vitamin C Serum 20 ingredients
Milan
I’ve been using this product for the past couple of days and noticed that it’s making my skin break out with a few small closed comedones and...
I’ve been using this product for the past couple of days and noticed that it’s making my skin break out with a few small closed comedones and pimples on my cheeks and nose. I highly doubt that my skin is purging since this serum contains ethyl ascorbic acid which is a more gentle alternative to L-ascorbic acid and vitamin C isn’t supposed to make the skin purge. I’m assuming the breakouts are caused by the castor oil or bifida ferment filtrate in this product but I’m not 100% sure. The pros of this serum are that it’s very lightweight and absorbs into the skin nicely without leaving a tacky/sticky finish.