Dr. Althea Barrier Cream for sensitive skin
Paeonia Albiflora Flower Extract
Avocado Fruit Extract
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
High
- HighNormal Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A great choice for sensitive skin; a few moisturizers fit it even better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with sensitive skin: redness, stinging, and reactions to new products. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Offers moderate soothing benefits for your redness and irritation, as Paeonia Albiflora Flower Extract and Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract provide supportive actions for your sensitive skin. Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil and Tocopherol enhance barrier resilience, which is beneficial for normal skin.
- The formula is highly suitable for normal skin due to the emollient and antioxidant actions of Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil and Tocopherol, respectively.
- The product is safe for your sensitive skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
How to apply
- Use this soothing AM and PM routine every day to keep your normal skin calm. Always remember to apply SPF in the morning after your moisturizer.
- Apply your moisturizer after your toner in the morning, and after your serum in the evening. This step locks in hydration and protects your skin.
- Gently press a small amount of the moisturizer evenly across your face. Avoid rubbing to keep your sensitive skin happy and calm.
- You can apply this gentle formula on dry or slightly damp skin for the best comfort. It works wonderfully on clean skin to soothe redness and irritation.
- Do a patch test before your very first use to check your skin's reaction. Avoid getting the product directly into your eyes .
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 300+ reviewsThis cream is highly regarded for its ability to repair damaged skin barriers and calm irritation, making it a favorite for dry and sensitive skin types. Users frequently praise its deep, long-lasting hydration and its unique ointment-gel texture that absorbs well without greasiness. Some users with oily skin find it too rich, and a few have noted issues with the packaging and price point.
Highlights
Repairs skin barrier Mostly Mentioned
- “strengthened my skin barrier”
- “healed my skin barrier”
- “restored protective barrier”
- “great for over-exfoliated skin”
- “calms redness immediately”
Pleasant texture Often Mentioned
- “rich but non-greasy”
- “absorbs beautifully”
- “velvety soft finish”
- “lightweight yet powerful”
- “no sticky residue”
Soothes irritation Often Mentioned
- “instantly calms irritated skin”
- “soothing effect within minutes”
- “calms redness from actives”
- “relieves tightness”
- “great for sensitive skin”
Gentle formula Sometimes Noted
- “didn't break me out”
- “minimal irritants”
- “fragrance-free option”
- “gentle on sensitive skin”
- “safe for acne-prone skin”
Provides hydration Sometimes Noted
- “consistently hydrated mornings”
- “plumper, smoother skin”
- “hydration boost”
- “locks in moisture all day”
- “cushiony and hydrating”
Too heavy for oily Sometimes Noted
- “too nourishing for combo skin”
- “heavy in hot weather”
- “caused closed comedones”
- “felt a bit heavy”
- “better for night use”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “gave me cystic acne”
- “caused whiteheads”
- “not fungal acne safe”
- “clogged pores”
- “caused tiny bumps”
Difficult packaging Rarely Noted
- “hard to squeeze”
- “tube cracks”
- “ointment-style tube is annoying”
- “product comes out too fast”
- “packaging dents easily”
Expensive price point Rarely Noted
- “a bit pricey”
- “expensive for the size”
- “wait for a sale”
- “good but costly”
- “pricey but quality ingredients”
Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
- “clinical scent”
- “mild floral scent”
- “smells like ointment”
- “wish it was unscented”
- “scent is negligible”
Sources: lovi.care, iherb.com, yesstyle.com, skinsort.com, ulta.com, youtube.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream a great fit for sensitive skin?
Dr. Althea Barrier Cream is a great fit for sensitive skin because Paeonia Albiflora Flower Extract and Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract offer soothing benefits that help calm redness and irritation. The formula is also very safe for sensitive skin as it contains no harsh or prohibited ingredients.
Which ingredients make this cream a good fit for sensitive skin?
Paeonia Albiflora Flower Extract and Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract help calm redness and irritation, making this cream a great fit for sensitive skin. Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil and Tocopherol also help strengthen your skin barrier while keeping it soft and smooth.
What does Peony Flower Extract do for sensitive skin?
Peony Flower Extract helps calm red, easily irritated skin by lowering inflammation and reducing everyday skin irritation. It also supports skin repair and protects against UV damage.
Phytomedicine, 2024International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2025
What does Avocado Fruit Extract do for sensitive skin?
Avocado Fruit Extract helps calm sensitive skin and supports skin barrier repair by providing anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits. This type of product needs soothing plant oils and barrier-supporting ingredients to keep dry or irritated skin feeling soft and comfortable.
Where does this cream go in a skincare routine for sensitive skin?
This moisturizer goes as the final step of your evening routine to lock in hydration and soothe your sensitive skin. It is unlikely to cause irritation because it leaves out harsh ingredients and includes calming plant extracts.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022Molecular Medicine Reports, 2017
Can I use this cream with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cream with retinol, and applying it before or after helps keep your skin calm and comfortable. Studies show that using a barrier-enhancing moisturizer alongside strong treatments supports your skin barrier and reduces dryness.
How often should I use this cream?
You can use this moisturizer daily as part of your morning and evening routine to keep your skin soft and calm. Regular daily application helps boost skin moisture and supports the skin barrier.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Health Science Reports, 2021
Can this cream clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for sensitive skin?
This cream is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for sensitive skin because it is free of harsh or prohibited ingredients that typically trigger irritation. It helps calm redness while supporting your skin barrier safely.
Can I use this cream around the eyes or on my body?
This cream is safe to use on the delicate skin around your eyes and on your body because its gentle formula has no harsh ingredients that cause irritation. It helps calm redness and keeps skin comfortable.
Is this cream fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Isosecotanapartholide (ISTP) isolated from Artemisia princeps Pampanini extract downregulated STAT-1 expression, reduced IL-33 production, and inhibited TARC/CCL17 mRNA and ICAM-1 protein expression in human keratinocytes stimulated by tumor necrosis factor-alpha/interferon-gamma.
Molecular Medicine Reports, 2017Co-delivery of paeonol and madecassoside via nanoemulsions improved transdermal delivery, promoted barrier repair proteins, inhibited inflammatory cytokine secretion in cellular and 3D models, and reduced transepidermal water loss and acne in human facial skin compared to free components.
Molecules, 2023A topical serum containing vitamin C, vitamin E, and raspberry leaf cell culture extract improved skin color, elasticity, radiance, smoothness, scaliness, and wrinkles compared to the untreated contralateral side in fifty female volunteers.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Partially purified paeoniflorin protected human keratinocytes and mouse skin from UV-induced DNA damage and reduced facial wrinkles in human volunteers.
Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2006Paeonia suffruticosa callus extract downregulated inflammatory factors, alleviated DNA damage, and increased total collagen content in in vitro and in vivo evaluations.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2025Topical application of Paeonia lactiflora root extract and paeoniflorin significantly decreases melanin content by 23% to 30% in reconstructed pigmented human epidermis compared to vehicle control.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2016A combination cream of stimu-tex AS and saccharide isomerate reduced erythema, increased skin capacitance, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to placebo in 20 subjects after fractional CO2 laser procedure without causing serious adverse events.
Lasers in Medical Science, 2025Topical application of an argan oil NLC-based hydrogel formulation increased skin hydration in healthy volunteers over a one-month period through a synergistic effect of NLC occlusion and argan oil hydration.
International Journal of Nanomedicine, 2014Incorporating allantoin into argan oil enriched liposomes improved its accumulation in the dermis (~8.7μg/cm(2)) and permeation through the skin (~33μg/cm(2)) compared to conventional liposomes, water dispersion, and a commercial gel.
International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2016
Ingredients
Paeonia Albiflora Flower Extract, Avocado Fruit Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract Avocado Fruit Extract, Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
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