‘I’m mid-40s with hormonal acne – £22 cream has been a game changer’

Acne and hormonal breakouts are one of the most common skin concerns among UK consumers. But Boots shoppers have been heaping praise on a ‘life changer’ cream that works to ‘reduce spots’ and keep rosacea ‘under control’.

The Dr.Althea 345 Relief Cream is a popular Korean skincare formula, and in April, sold one tube every six minutes at the health and beauty retailer, cementing its status as one of the most sought-after K-beauty products safe for blemish-prone skin. Priced at £21.99, skincare enthusiasts have said their ‘skin texture has never been smoother’ since using the product.

K-beauty has exploded in popularity thanks to social media, but it’s not just the buzz on Instagram and TikTok that has our bathroom shelves filling up with Asian brands. It’s because many Korean formulations focus on supporting the skin barrier, maintaining hydration and using gentle yet effective ingredients, making them suitable for a wide range of ages and skin concerns.

That means K-beauty isn’t just attracting teenagers influenced by TikTok trends. Products such as the 345 Relief Cream are proving popular with adults dealing with concerns including hormonal breakouts, sensitivity and redness.

Unlike many acne-focused products that can leave skin feeling stripped or sensitised, the 345 Relief Cream is a nutrient-rich vegan gel cream that helps target blemishes while delivering deep hydration and soothing care. It’s formulated with Niacinamide to help brighten post-breakout marks and Ceramide NP to support long-lasting hydration, all while helping to strengthen the skin barrier.

Another popular K-beauty moisturiser is the Purito Mighty Bamboo Panthenol Cream 100ml, which is £20 at Boots. The Panthenol and Korean Bamboo-infused cream strengthens the moisture barrier to reinforce moisture retention.

But French pharmacy skincare is also a great category, with the La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm B5 Multi-Purpose Repairing Balm 40ml costing £11 at LookFantastic. The cream is so gentle, it’s even suitable for use on babies, according to the brand.

Back at Boots, the lightweight clinically-tested gel cream has built a loyal following among those with acne-prone and sensitive skin, with a 4.3 star rating on the Boots website. One shopper wrote: “I’m mid-40s dealing with hormonal cystic acne – this cream has been a game changer and helped with reducing spots and pigmentation like nothing else has.”

Another described it as a ‘life changer’, commenting: “I brought this and its a life changer. I am going to keep ordering this.”

While a third said: “I got a small tube in a kbeauty box and fell in love, have been using twice daily since. My skin texture has never been smoother, rosacea is under control. Lightweight creamy and hydrating 10/10.”

No skincare product works for everyone, though, and one reviewer with combination-dry skin noted that although the cream helped reduce redness and improve texture, they found it wasn’t quite hydrating enough on its own. They wrote: “I have combination dry skin (sensitive) but have personally found it too dry for me.

“My skin feels parched and is a little flakey after using it even after applying sunscreen on top. However, my texture has evened out a bit and redness has gone down. I really wanted to love this product but it looks like my skin needs more moisture.”

Shoppers can find the K-beauty staple for under £22 here.