Compare Products: 345 Relief Cream vs 10% Niacinamide Booster

Dr. Althea

345 Relief Cream

Mid-range
$24 / 50ml — $0.48/ml
Paula's Choice

10% Niacinamide Booster

Mid-range10%
$44 / 20ml — $2.20/ml

Who It's Designed For

Dr. Althea
  • Those with compromised or sensitized skin barriers
  • Users recovering from skin procedures or environmental damage
  • Sensitive skin types seeking a fragrance-free calming cream
  • People who want centella benefits with added antioxidant support
  • Those looking for a non-greasy barrier repair cream
Paula's Choice
  • Enlarged pores and uneven texture
  • Uneven skin tone and dullness
  • Post-acne marks and discoloration
  • Fine lines and early aging concerns

Key Ingredients

Dr. Althea

Centella Asiatica Extract, Resveratrol, Ceramide NP, Panthenol, Madecassoside

Paula's Choice

Niacinamide (10%), Ascorbyl Glucoside (Vitamin C), Licorice Root Extract

Product Composition

30% similarity (14 ingredients in common)

Shared Ingredients
waterbutylene glycolglycerincetyl ethylhexanoateniacinamidepanthenolallantoinbeta-glucandipotassium glycyrrhizatesodium hyaluronatexanthan gumethylhexylglycerindisodium edtacaprylyl glycol
Only in Dr. Althea (23)
12-hexanediolcetearyl alcoholglyceryl stearatehydrogenated lecithinstearic acidcetearyl olivatesorbitan olivatedimethiconeceramide npcentella asiatica extractmadecassosideasiaticosideasiatic acidmadecassic acidresveratroltocopherolcaprylic/capric triglyceridehydroxyethyl ureacarbomertromethaminesorbitan sesquioleatepolyglyceryl-10 laurate
Only in Paula's Choice (10)
ascorbyl glucosidephospholipidsboerhavia diffusa root extractepigallocatechin gallatecarnosinegenisteincitric acidpolysorbate 20pentylene glycolphenoxyethanol

User Feedback Patterns

Dr. Althea
Effective for redness and irritation

Users frequently report reduced redness and calmer skin within days of use. Popular among those with rosacea-prone or post-procedure skin.

Non-greasy for a barrier cream

Multiple reviewers note the texture is lighter than expected for a repair cream. Absorbs well and works under makeup.

Reliable daily moisturizer

Many users report using this as their primary moisturizer long-term, not just for recovery periods. Consistent performance across seasons.

Mild results for severe barrier damage

Some users with significantly compromised barriers note the cream helped but was not sufficient on its own. Needed pairing with other barrier products.

Paula's Choice
Texture takes adjustment

The watery, almost runny texture surprises some users. It can feel like it's not "doing" anything. The brand intends for it to be mixed with other products, which helps with application.

Price comparison to The Ordinary

At roughly 7x the price of The Ordinary's niacinamide serum, value is a common discussion point. Users who prefer it cite the more elegant texture, additional beneficial ingredients, and lack of pilling.

Gradual, cumulative results

Most users report noticing effects (smoother skin, smaller-looking pores, more even tone) after several weeks of consistent use rather than immediate results.

Plays well with other products

The booster format gets consistent praise for layering easily. Users report no issues combining it with retinol, acids, or other actives.

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