Dr. Althea Barrier Cream for combination skin
Paeonia Albiflora Flower Extract
Avocado Fruit Extract
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Low
- AverageCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A weak match for combination skin; the moisturizers alongside fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with combination skin: an oily T-zone, enlarged pores, and dry cheeks. 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 moisturizing for your combination skin, as Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil and Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract hydrate and enhance barrier resilience, though these ingredients are not specifically targeted for oily shine.
- The formula provides general skincare benefits, with ingredients like Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil offering emollient action that is supportive but not optimal for managing excess oil.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your combination skin due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
How to apply
- Use this moisturizer in your AM and PM routine every day to control shine. Always pair with SPF in the morning.
- Apply this moisturizer after your cleanser and toner, right before your morning SPF.
- Gently press a small amount of the moisturizer into your skin and avoid harsh rubbing. Let it ⏳absorb for a minute.
- Apply the moisturizer on slightly damp skin to help it lock in moisture better. This keeps your combination skin balanced.
- Avoid the eye area when applying the moisturizer. Do a patch test before your first use.
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
Why is Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream a weak match for combination skin?
Dr. Althea Barrier Cream is a weak match for your combination skin because, while it provides moderate moisture and is very safe with no irritation risk, its oils and extracts are not specifically targeted for managing oily shine. A moisturizer for combination skin needs effective brightening and hydrating ingredients that reduce shine without excess heaviness, along with soothing agents and antioxidants.
Which ingredients make this cream a poor fit for combination skin?
This cream is a weak match for your combination skin because its oils provide moderate moisture and softness without helping to manage oily shine. A product of this type needs brightening and moisturizing ingredients that reduce oily shine while providing hydration, along with soothing agents and antioxidants.
What does Peony Flower Extract do for combination skin?
Peony Flower Extract helps calm inflammation and reduces redness in combination skin while keeping it balanced and smooth. It may also provide antioxidant benefits that protect your skin from daily stress and irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2025
What does Avocado Fruit Extract do for combination skin?
Avocado Fruit Extract helps keep combination skin feeling soft and smooth by delivering nourishing plant compounds. It is unlikely to feel heavy, making it a gentle option for balancing both dry and oily areas.
Where does it go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This moisturizer goes as the last step of your morning routine before sunscreen, and after your evening treatment step at night. While it is safe and gentle, a moisturizer for combination skin also needs lightweight hydrators and ingredients that help manage oily shine without weighing your skin down.
Can I use this cream with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cream with retinol by applying the retinol first and following with the moisturizer. This cream is unlikely to irritate your skin, but a moisturizer for combination skin also needs ingredients that help balance excess oil and shine.
How often should I use it?
You can use this moisturizer twice a day, in the morning and evening, as part of your routine. Daily application helps keep your skin soft and supported, though combination skin needs lightweight, oil-controlling ingredients rather than heavy oils to manage shine.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Health Science Reports, 2021
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
This cream is unlikely to cause irritation for your combination skin since it lacks harsh ingredients, but it may feel too heavy for your oily areas. A moisturizer for this skin needs lighter hydrating ingredients that soften dry spots without adding extra shine or clogging pores.
Can I use this cream around the eyes or on my body?
Yes, you can safely use this cream around the eyes and on your body because its gentle formula has no harsh ingredients that cause irritation. Argan oil and avocado fruit extract help keep dry body skin soft and hydrated.
Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Topical 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, 2014Tea seed oil makeup remover successfully removed foundation and eyeliner without causing skin irritation in 20 human volunteers, with the 60% formulation showing superior foundation removal compared to other formulations and an olive oil benchmark.
Annales Pharmaceutiques Francaises, 2017Self-assembled cubic liquid crystalline nanoparticles loaded with paeonol reduced skin irritation compared to commercial ointment, serving as a promising transdermal delivery system.
Medical Science Monitor, 2015Partially 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, 2025Incorporating 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.
-
Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-
Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-
Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-
Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-
Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-
Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-
Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.