Brand

Dr. Althea

Bestselling 345 Relief Cream is its signature; the name draws on 'althea,' tied to the Greek root for healing.

Dr. Althea is a Korean vegan skincare brand focused on gentle, healing-oriented formulas for sensitive skin. Its 345 Relief Cream became a cult bestseller and drove a major US retail expansion.

Founded

2014

Founder

Evelyn Lee

Headquarters

Seoul, South Korea (US operations in Lakewood, New Jersey)

Ownership

Owned by The Pure Lab Co., Ltd (Seoul)

Ownership and scale

Privately held; valuation not publicly disclosed. The brand reported strong North American growth after its 2023 US expansion.

Brand timeline

2014
Founded by Evelyn Lee under parent company The Pure Lab
2023
Major US market expansion begins
2025
Expands US retail, including a nationwide Ulta Beauty launch

Where to buy

doctoraltheaglobal.comUlta BeautyAmazonYesStyle and StyleKorean

Where to get the best offers

Buy from the official global site or Ulta for bundles and gift-with-purchase. The 345 Relief Cream often comes in value sizes or sets that lower the per-unit cost.

Dr. Althea products we have reviewed

k-beauty

Vegan

PDRN Reju 2000 Cream

Dr. Althea

Key Ingredient

PDRN (Sodium DNA) 2,000ppm

PDRN for revitalized, healthy-looking skinPanthenol and ectoin for calming and hydrationGentle enough for daily use

$20.90/ 0.7 oz / 20 g

Review Product

k-beauty

Rapid Firm Sculpting Cream

Dr. Althea

Key Ingredient

Edelweiss Extract

Edelweiss extract targets the look of wrinkles and elasticityRich nutrition and moisture for tired-looking skinHelps skin look firmer, smoother, and glossier

$36.00/ 1.69 fl oz / 50 mL($0.72/ml)

Review Product

k-beauty

147 Barrier Cream

Dr. Althea

Key Ingredient

Ceramides

Supports a weakened, stressed skin barrierDeep hydration for dry, tight, sensitive skinCalms skin that feels overwhelmed by actives

$27.00/ 1.69 fl oz / 50 mL($0.54/ml)

Review Product

k-beauty

0.1 Gentle Retinol Serum

Dr. Althea

Key Ingredient

Retinol (0.1%)

Retinol plus bakuchiol gentle enough for sensitive skinHelps fade the look of post-acne marksRefines the appearance of skin texture without grease

$23.90/ 1.69 fl oz / 50 mL($0.48/ml)

Review Product

k-beauty

Vegan

Pure Retinol 0.15% Cream

Dr. Althea

Key Ingredient

Retinol 1,500ppm

Retinol plus bakuchiol for elasticity supportPanthenol cushions against irritationA gentler entry into retinol at night

$23.90/ 0.7 oz / 20 g

Review Product

k-beauty

Vegan

345 Relief Cream

Dr. Althea

Key Ingredient

Panthenol + Madecassoside

Barrier-soothing hero best-sellerMadecassoside and panthenol calm stressed skinNiacinamide and ceramides support the barrier

$27.00/ 1.7 oz / 50 mL($0.54/ml)

Review Product

k-beauty

Vegan

Vitamin C Boosting Serum

Dr. Althea

Key Ingredient

Vitamin C (63% sea buckthorn water)

Vitamin C in a sea buckthorn water baseNiacinamide for brightening and toneLightweight antioxidant layer

$23.90/ 1.0 oz / 30 mL($0.80/ml)

Review Product

k-beauty

Vegan

345 Relief Serum

Dr. Althea

Key Ingredient

Active serum complex

Active serum complex serumLightweight active serumVegan and cruelty-free

$22.00/ Full size

Review Product

k-beauty

Vegan

15% Niacinamide Purity Serum

Dr. Althea

Key Ingredient

Niacinamide

Niacinamide serumLightweight active serumVegan and cruelty-free

$23.90/ Full size

Review Product

k-beauty

Vegan

Melaclear Cream

Dr. Althea

Key Ingredient

Niacinamide

Niacinamide and tranexamic acid both above the preservative lineThree brightening actives targeting different steps of pigment formationFragrance-free, with no declared allergens

$29.00/ Full size

Review Product

Brand background is compiled from public sources. Ownership and valuation figures are reported acquisitions or valuations where disclosed; private brands are marked as not publicly disclosed. Prices and retailers change, so confirm on the brand's official page.