'The viral $39 product that saved my irritated skin within days.'

I didn’t expect to spend the first few days of my solo European summer holiday in tears but that’s exactly what went down. OK, no luggage was lost and no one was harmed, but I did experience the worst skin irritation of my 29 years of existence. Yes, call me a drama queen but at the time, it felt like my holiday was ruined. 

It wasn’t just a bit of redness here and there, either. It was a full-blown breakout that caused dry patches, itchiness, rogue acne and a veil of tiny bumps that spanned from my lower cheeks down to my lower neck. 

Watch: Amanda Ramsay skincare over 50. Post continues below.

My skin irritation was partly the result of a pre-trip facial my skin greatly disagreed with and partly the result of a sudden change of climates, a build-up of stress and weeks of very minimal sleep. 

What I desperately needed was a product that was going to be effective but not invasive. I needed to steer clear of all my favourite harsh acids and actives and instead, stick to gentle but hard-working formulas. 

So, I reached for an unopened Korean beauty product I miraculously packed in my luggage: the Dr Althea 345 Relief Cream. (This is not sponsored content, I paid my hard-earned cash for this and my beauty product addiction finally paid off). 

According to my trusty skincare-infiltrated TikTok algorithm, this product has gained cult status around the world, loved by thousands who swear by it for fixing a myriad of skin issues like post-acne scarring, hyperpigmentation and a damaged skin barrier.

A few days into my trip using nothing but this product, it completely healed. 

And because I believe no trip-saving product should be gate kept, here’s everything you need to know. 

What is the Dr Althea 345 Relief Cream?

The Dr Althea 345 Relief Cream has recently gained an honourable reputation in the skincare world as a multi-layered product that works absolute wonders to regenerate the skin barrier and provide instant comfort (read: relief) for acne-prone skin.

The numbers three, four and five all represent a different role — three ingredients to address blemishes, four for nourishing your skin and five to soothe it. The result? A well-rounded orchestra of 12 skincare solutions that provide, you guessed it, RELIEF! 

Image: Supplied.

Then, the formula is enhanced with an abundance of propolis and flower extracts for exceptional hydration, along with antioxidant-rich Centella Asiatica, which does everything from wound healing to calming blemishes, balancing natural oil and moisture levels and banishing wrinkles (I’ve previously ranted about this buzzy skincare ingredient here).  

To make it even more suitable for those with the most sensitive skin (hello @me), the 345 formula is free from artificial colours and fragrances, and it’s vegan-certified and EWG Green Grade-rated. In other words, it’s kind to your skin and the environment. 

How do you use the Dr Althea 345 Relief Cream?

The beauty of this product is that it can be used alongside all your other skincare products as your final moisturiser (or before sunscreen if used in the morning) or by itself. Simply take a pea-sized amount and gently massage it all over your face until it’s fully absorbed. 

You can also use it as a spot treatment for acne scars or healing extra dry and inflamed skin patches.

Where can you buy the Dr Althea 345 Relief Cream in Australia?

With so many skin-loving benefits in its front and back pockets, you’d think this luxurious cream would come with a fitting price tag. However, one 50ml tube will only set you back $39.50 when purchased from online Korean beauty store, Lila Beauty. 

The Dr Althea 345 Relief Cream verdict. 

I wish I was exaggerating about how severe my Euro summer holiday skin irritation was. My mother — whom I immediately FaceTimed for skin advice — can even testify to how ghastly I looked. 

However, if it wasn’t for my few days of skin trauma, I wouldn't have been able to properly put this viral product to the test. 

In short, I can confidently say that the word ‘relief’ has earned its place in the product’s name since it was quite literally able to provide it to my vulnerable skin in such a short amount of time. 

Image: Supplied.

Aside from its effectiveness, I adore the texture of the innovative gel cream — it’s silky, lightweight and unscented, and doesn’t leave your face feeling greasy or sticky. It’s luscious enough to keep your skin hydrated throughout the night and during the cooler months but breathable enough to wear during the warmer months (without clogging your pores) and under makeup. 

If I learned anything from my most recent travels, it’s that — one, my luggage is incomplete until I pack a tube of my trusty Dr Althea 345 Relief Cream; and two — bad experiences make for great stories… sometimes. 

Have you tried the popular Dr Althea 345 Relief Cream already? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Feature image: Supplied.