DR's Secret Emulsion A6 Versus Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream
Updated on May 27, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain common allergens and silicones
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's Secret Emulsion A6 45 ingredients
Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream 38 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
DR's Secret Emulsion A6 45 ingredients
Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream 38 ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Lactobacillus
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Polyacrylate-13
Glyceryl Polyacrylate
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingPolyisobutene
Disodium EDTA
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Apium Graveolens Root Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentBrassica Rapa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Oryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Sodium Phosphate
BufferingCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Squalane, Glyceryl Stearate, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polysorbate 60, Cetearyl Alcohol, PEG-100 Stearate, Panthenol, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Lactobacillus, Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract, Polyacrylate-13, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Polyisobutene, Disodium EDTA, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate, Apium Graveolens Root Extract, Brassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Brassica Rapa Leaf Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract, Pentylene Glycol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PPG-26-Buteth-26, 1,2-Hexanediol, Lecithin, Sodium Phosphate, Copper Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Oligopeptide-1, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Tromethamine
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Coptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Resveratrol
Antioxidant
Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
Cleansing
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Corallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Cyclohexasiloxane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglycerin-3, Panthenol, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, C14-22 Alcohols, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Butylene Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyquaternium-51, Tromethamine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Beta-Glucan, Resveratrol, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Tocopherol, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Ceramide NP
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolThis ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCyclohexasiloxane is a type of silicone more commonly known as D6. It is an emollient and solvent.
Cyclohexasiloxane is used to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. When applied to the skin, Cyclohexasiloxane evaporates and leaves behind a silky feel.
As an emollient, it can help the skin feel soft and hydrated. It is also used to reduce frizz in hair products.
Learn more about CyclohexasiloxaneEthylhexylglycerin (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.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
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 WaterIngredient Ratings
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When to use
DR's Secret Emulsion A6 45 ingredients
Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream 38 ingredients
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