1st on the list, which puts it at an estimated 30–80% of the formula.
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
Dr.Althea
Melaclear Cream
face cream
Dr.Althea
face cream
Added Last edited
Fit by skin type
General, ingredient-based — not your personalized match.
See how this fits your skin
Take the skin test and I'll show you how suitable this product is for you.
Take the skin testThe Dr.Althea Melaclear Cream is a brightening face cream that helps improve the look of uneven skin tone and dark spots while keeping skin hydrated. Niacinamide and tranexamic acid (TXA) give dull, uneven-looking skin a brightening boost, while multiple forms of hyaluronic acid and ceramide NP help keep it comfortably moisturized. The creamy formula makes an easy final step when you want brightening care without skipping hydration.
Melaclear Cream is a lightweight cream from Dr.Althea. The formula is built mainly around hydration. The ingredient list runs to 29 ingredients, each broken down in full below.
By its ingredient list the formula reads as light: water and humectants lead, with emollients kept lower in the order. Hydration is handled by Glycerin, Butylene Glycol and Hydroxyethyl Urea, humectants that pull water into the upper layers of skin rather than sealing it there.
Hydration: High. Ingredients that pull and hold water in the upper layers of skin, and here that comes from Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyethyl Urea and Ethylhexylglycerin.
Brightening: Moderate. Ingredients that act on uneven tone and post-inflammatory marks, and here that comes from Niacinamide and Tranexamic Acid.
Barrier support: Moderate. Lipids and repair signals that support skin barrier integrity, and here that comes from Niacinamide, Linoleic Acid, Ceramide NP and Hydrogenated Lecithin.
Soothing: Moderate. Ingredients aimed at visible redness and reactivity, and here that comes from Niacinamide, Adenosine, Sodium Hyaluronate and Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer.
On richness alone it suits Balanced, Combination (oily) and Oily skin best, and is the least natural fit for Dry and Combination (dry) skin. Nothing in the list is flagged as a common irritant, which is a reasonable starting point for reactive skin — though a patch test is still the only way to know.
The formula contributes little or nothing on antioxidant protection, cell renewal and firmness signalling. That is not a fault — most products are not meant to do everything — but if one of those is your priority, this is not the product that will address it.
Reading the full list, the formula is fragrance-free, essential-oil-free, no drying alcohol, paraben-free, silicone-free and sulfate-free. Those claims come from the ingredient list itself, not from the packaging.
It can be used morning and evening. In a routine it goes after serums. Seal in your serums with it; in the morning, sunscreen still goes on top.
This summary is generated from the product's ingredient list. It is not a review, it is not the brand's own marketing claims, and it does not replace advice from a dermatologist.
Drawn purely from the ingredient list
Scored on how rich or light the formula reads from its INCI order.
No ingredient in this formula carries a common-irritant flag, making it a reasonable option for reactive skin. A patch test is still recommended, as individual skin reactivity varies.
Based on the curated benefits documented for this product's ingredients.
Attracts and locks in moisture to keep skin plump and dewy
Boosts collagen and cell turnover to reduce fine lines and wrinkles
Calms redness, irritation, and inflammation for sensitive skin
Fades hyperpigmentation and evens out dark spots over time
Brightens and balances complexion for a more uniform appearance
Tightens and refines the look of enlarged pores
None of the ingredients in this formula are associated with these benefits. This is not unusual, as most products are designed to target a limited number of concerns.
The actives, UV filters and benefit-carrying ingredients in this formula, in the order they are listed.
1st on the list, which puts it at an estimated 30–80% of the formula.
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
2nd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Glycerine ;Glycerol (INN); Glycerol (RIFM); Glycerolum (EP); Glycyl Alcohol; 1,2,3-Propanetriol; 1,2,3-Trihydroxypropane
4th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Butane-1,3-diol (CAS No. 107-88-0/ EC No. 203-529-7) (R)-(-)-butane-1,3-diol” (CAS No. 6290-03-5/ EC No. 228-532-0)
5th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is a gentle skincare active that repairs the skin barrier, calms redness, controls oil and evens tone at 2–5%. Official IUPAC name: **3-Pyridinecarboxamide**
6th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Cyclohexanecarboxylic acid, 4-(aminomethyl)-, trans-
11th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer is a copolymer of ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate and vinylpyrrolidone monomers
14th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Decanoic acid, ester with 1,2,3-propanetriol octanoate; Glycerides, mixed decanoyl and octanoyl
15th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
1,2-Propanediol, 3-(2-ethylhexyloxy)
16th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
6-Amino-9-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-9H-purine
21st on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Hyaluronic acid, sodium, salt
22nd on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is the hydrolysate of Hyaluronic Acid derived by acid, enzyme or other method of hydrolysis
23rd on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Hyaluronic acid
Each axis is scored from the ingredients present and how high up the list they sit.
Ingredients that pull and hold water in the upper layers of skin
Lipids and repair signals that support skin barrier integrity
Ingredients that mop up free radicals from UV and pollution
Ingredients that moderate sebum or absorb shine
Ingredients that act on uneven tone and post-inflammatory marks
Ingredients aimed at visible redness and reactivity
Retinoids, acids and enzymes that speed surface turnover
Peptides and growth factors that signal for collagen support
"Active" here means an ingredient carrying a recorded active type or a recognised UV filter.
Solvents, emollients, texture agents and preservatives — the formula that carries the actives.
Read from the full ingredient list. A brand's own claim may differ.
Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Judged by the same curated rules our routine checker uses. It reads the ingredients, not the label.
Nothing in this formula belongs to a group our rules can put in conflict, so it layers freely. Order still matters — thinnest texture first.
This product is the "Moisturise" step.
Flags to check, not verdicts. None of this is medical advice — if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or treating a skin condition, ask a doctor.
Most ingredients do more than one job, so these counts add up to more than the 29 ingredients on the label.
Draws water into the upper layers of skin
Changes how skin behaves rather than how it feels
Botanical material, usually for antioxidants or scent
Dissolves and carries everything else
Lifts oil and dirt, or holds oil and water together
Sets the thickness, spread and stability of the formula
Softens and smooths by filling gaps between skin cells
Forms a film that slows water loss
Neutralises free radicals from UV and pollution
Every ingredient on the label, in order, with what it does and roughly how much of it is likely to be there.
1st on the list, which puts it at an estimated 30–80% of the formula.
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
2nd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Glycerine ;Glycerol (INN); Glycerol (RIFM); Glycerolum (EP); Glycyl Alcohol; 1,2,3-Propanetriol; 1,2,3-Trihydroxypropane
3rd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Zizania Latifolia Stem Extract is the extract of the stems of Zizania latifolia, Poaceae.
4th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Butane-1,3-diol (CAS No. 107-88-0/ EC No. 203-529-7) (R)-(-)-butane-1,3-diol” (CAS No. 6290-03-5/ EC No. 228-532-0)
5th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is a gentle skincare active that repairs the skin barrier, calms redness, controls oil and evens tone at 2–5%. Official IUPAC name: **3-Pyridinecarboxamide**
6th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Cyclohexanecarboxylic acid, 4-(aminomethyl)-, trans-
7th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
8th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Alcohols, coco, mixed esters with octanoic and decanoic acids
9th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Butanedioic acid, bis(2-ethoxyethyl) ester
10th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Urea, (2-Hydroxyethyl)-
11th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer is a copolymer of ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate and vinylpyrrolidone monomers
12th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Methyl-D-glucopyranoside, ethers with 1,2,3-propanetriol homopolymer, octadecanoates (1:1:2) (3 mol glycerol average molar ratio)
13th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Polymer of acrylic acid ester and C10-30 alcohol
14th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Decanoic acid, ester with 1,2,3-propanetriol octanoate; Glycerides, mixed decanoyl and octanoyl
15th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
1,2-Propanediol, 3-(2-ethylhexyloxy)
16th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
6-Amino-9-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-9H-purine
17th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract is an extract of the dried roots of Lithospermum erythrorhizon, Boraginaceae
18th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract is the hydrolysate of Gardenia Florida L., Rubiaceae, Extract derived by acid, enzyme or other method of hydrolysis
19th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Hydrolyzed Viola Tricolor Extract is the hydrolysate of an extract of the Pansy, Viola tricolor L., Violaceae, derived by acid, enzyme or other method of hydrolysis
20th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Hydrolyzed Hibiscus Esculentus Extract is a hydrolyzate of the Hibiscus esculentus, Malvaceae, extract derived by acid, enzyme or other method of hydrolysis
21st on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Hyaluronic acid, sodium, salt
22nd on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is the hydrolysate of Hyaluronic Acid derived by acid, enzyme or other method of hydrolysis
23rd on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Hyaluronic acid
24th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
9,12,15-Octadecatrienoic acid (9Z, 12Z, 15Z)
25th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
9,12-Octadecadienoic acid (9Z, 12Z)-
26th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Plumeria Rubra Flower Extract is an extract of the flowers of Plumeria rubra L., Apocynaceae
27th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Ceramide NP,1,3,4-Octadecanetriol, 2-Octadecanamide,Stearoyl-C18-Phytosphingosine,Stearoyl-4-Hydroxysphinganine
28th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Lecithins, hydrogenated
29th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Hyaluronic acid, sodium salt, polymer with 1,1'-sulfonylbis[ethene]
Products in the same category that share this formula's distinguishing ingredients.
Mary&May
Shares 13 key ingredients with Melaclear Cream: Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Water, Caprylic/capric Triglyceride, Niacinamide
VT Cosmetics
Shares 13 key ingredients with Melaclear Cream: Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/capric Triglyceride, Niacinamide, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp Copolymer
Dr. Ceuracle
Shares 12 key ingredients with Melaclear Cream: Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/capric Triglyceride, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol
SUNGBOON EDITOR
Shares 12 key ingredients with Melaclear Cream: Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/capric Triglyceride, Niacinamide
Medicube
Shares 12 key ingredients with Melaclear Cream: Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/capric Triglyceride, Niacinamide, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp Copolymer
Beauty of Joseon
Shares 12 key ingredients with Melaclear Cream: Water, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp Copolymer
WATER, GLYCERIN, ZIZANIA LATIFOLIA STEM EXTRACT, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, NIACINAMIDE, TRANEXAMIC ACID, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, COCO-CAPRYLATE/CAPRATE, DIETHOXYETHYL SUCCINATE, HYDROXYETHYL UREA, AMMONIUM ACRYLOYLDIMETHYLTAURATE/VP COPOLYMER, POLYGLYCERYL-3 METHYLGLUCOSE DISTEARATE, POLY C10-30 ALKYL ACRYLATE, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, ADENOSINE, LITHOSPERMUM ERYTHRORHIZON ROOT EXTRACT, HYDROLYZED GARDENIA FLORIDA EXTRACT, HYDROLYZED VIOLA TRICOLOR EXTRACT, HYDROLYZED HIBISCUS ESCULENTUS EXTRACT, SODIUM HYALURONATE, HYDROLYZED HYALURONIC ACID, HYALURONIC ACID, LINOLENIC ACID, LINOLEIC ACID, PLUMERIA RUBRA FLOWER EXTRACT, CERAMIDE NP, HYDROGENATED LECITHIN, SODIUM HYALURONATE CROSSPOLYMER.
NIACINAMIDE, SODIUM HYALURONATE, HYDROLYZED HYALURONIC ACID, HYALURONIC ACID, CERAMIDE NP, SODIUM HYALURONATE CROSSPOLYMER.
After applying serum, take an appropriate amount of cream. Apply evenly over the face as the moisturizing step of your routine. Gently smooth over the skin until absorbed. Tip : Use consistently morning and night, and pair with sunscreen during the day.
Judged on how rich the formula reads from its ingredient list, it suits Balanced, Combination (oily), Oily skin best. It is the least natural fit for Dry, Combination (dry) skin.
No ingredient in this formula carries a common-irritant flag, making it a reasonable option for reactive skin. A patch test is still recommended, as individual skin reactivity varies.
One ingredient could feed malassezia: Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate. That describes the yeast's food supply, not a prediction that it will cause a breakout.
Nothing in this formula is on the standard pregnancy-caution list. That is not medical clearance — check anything you use daily with your doctor or midwife.
Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is fragrance-free.
No. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is no drying alcohol.
Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is silicone-free.
No. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is essential-oil-free.
Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is paraben-free.
It layers well with Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), Retinoids (retinol, retinal), AHAs (glycolic, lactic), BHA (salicylic acid), PHAs (gluconolactone), Benzoyl peroxide.
Use it morning and evening, after serums.
It lists 29 ingredients, of which 6 are recorded as actives.
Dr.Althea.
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