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
Skin Relief Essence
face essence
Dr.Althea
face essence
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 testSoothe, nourish, and protect your skin with the Dr. Althea Skin Relief Essence, a powerful ampoule-type Cica essence specially formulated for sensitive, easily irritated skin. Infused with 85% Centella Asiatica Extract, sourced from the pristine regions of India, this essence delivers intense calming and skin-conditioning benefits. Rich in skin-loving nutrients, it helps strengthen your skin barrier while delivering a refreshing burst of hydration and vitality. Ideal for daily use, this lightweight yet potent formula absorbs quickly to leave your skin feeling soft, balanced, and revitalized.
Skin Relief Essence is a lightweight essence from Dr.Althea. The formula is built mainly around hydration. The ingredient list runs to 43 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 Butylene Glycol, Glycerin and Propanediol, 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 Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propanediol and Sodium Hyaluronate.
Soothing: Moderate. Ingredients aimed at visible redness and reactivity, and here that comes from Centella Asiatica Extract, Panthenol, Chamomilla Recutita (matricaria) Flower Juice and Sodium Hyaluronate.
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, oil control, brightening and tone and cell renewal. 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 no drying alcohol, paraben-free, silicone-free, microplastic-free, sulfate-free and dye-free. Those claims come from the ingredient list itself, not from the packaging. It does contain fragrance and essential oils, worth knowing if your skin reacts to any of them.
It can be used morning and evening. In a routine it goes after cleansing, before serums. Apply to slightly damp skin so the humectants have water to hold on to.
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
Regulates sebum production to reduce shine and greasiness
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.
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.
Centella Asiatica Extract is the extract of the whole plant Hydrocotyl, Centella asiatica L., Apiaceae
7th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Glycerine ;Glycerol (INN); Glycerol (RIFM); Glycerolum (EP); Glycyl Alcohol; 1,2,3-Propanetriol; 1,2,3-Trihydroxypropane
8th 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
9th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
1,3-dihydroxypropane
10th 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
12th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Butanamide, 2,4-dihydroxy-N-(3-hydroxypropyl)-3,3-dimethyl-, (2R)-; dl-Panthenol
13th 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)
15th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
L-Arginine
16th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
.alpha.-d-Glucopyranosiduronic acid, (3.beta.,20.beta.)-20-carboxy-11-oxo-30-norolean-12-en-3-yl 2-O-.beta.-d-glucopyranuronosyl-, dipotassium salt
21st on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Dextrin
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.
Limonene, Linalool
Limonene, Linalool
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
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 "Toning" 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 43 ingredients on the label.
Draws water into the upper layers of skin
Sets the thickness, spread and stability of the formula
Changes how skin behaves rather than how it feels
Botanical material, usually for antioxidants or scent
Dissolves and carries everything else
Forms a film that slows water loss
Changes how the product smells or looks
Softens and smooths by filling gaps between skin cells
Binds trace metals that would otherwise spoil the formula
Sets the acidity the formula needs to work
Lifts oil and dirt, or holds oil and water together
Neutralises free radicals from UV and pollution
Calms visible redness and irritation
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.
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)
3rd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
1,1'-Oxydipropan-2-ol; Oxydipropan-2-ol; Hydroxypropyloxypropanol
4th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
5th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Centella Asiatica Extract is the extract of the whole plant Hydrocotyl, Centella asiatica L., Apiaceae
6th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Ethanol, 2-(phenylmethoxy)-
7th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Glycerine ;Glycerol (INN); Glycerol (RIFM); Glycerolum (EP); Glycyl Alcohol; 1,2,3-Propanetriol; 1,2,3-Trihydroxypropane
8th 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
9th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
1,3-dihydroxypropane
10th 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
11th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
1,2,3-Propanetriol, homopolymer, dodecanoates (1:1) (10 mol glycerol average molar ratio)
12th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Butanamide, 2,4-dihydroxy-N-(3-hydroxypropyl)-3,3-dimethyl-, (2R)-; dl-Panthenol
13th 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)
14th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
2-Propenoic acid, polymer with 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propane-1,3-diol 2-propenyl ether
15th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
L-Arginine
16th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
.alpha.-d-Glucopyranosiduronic acid, (3.beta.,20.beta.)-20-carboxy-11-oxo-30-norolean-12-en-3-yl 2-O-.beta.-d-glucopyranuronosyl-, dipotassium salt
17th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract is an extract of the flowers of the Safflower, Carthamus tinctorius L., Compositae
18th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Disodium dihydrogen ethylenediaminetetraacetate
19th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer is a copolymer of glyceryl acrylate and acrylic acid
20th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract is an extract of the fruit of the Cape Jasmine, Gardenia Florida L., Rubiaceae
21st on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Dextrin
22nd on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
2,6,10,15,19,23-Hexamethyltetracosane
23rd on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil is the psoralen-free volatile oil obtained from the fruit of Citrus aurantium L. var. bergamia, Rutaceae; Oils, bergamot; bergamot oil bergaptene free
24th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
1-Methyl-4-Isopropenylcyclohexene; dipentene
25th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
3,7-Dimethyl octa-1,6-diene-3-ol
26th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Leontopodium Alpinum Callus Culture Extract is the extract of a culture of the callus of Leontopodium alpinum L., Asteraceae
27th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Anastatica Hierochuntica Extract is an extract of the whole plant, Anastatica hierochuntica L., Brassicaceae
28th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Adansonia Digitata Fruit Extract is the extract of the fruits of the Monkey Bread Tree or the Baobab, Adansonia digitata L., Bombacaceae
29th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Juice is the extract of the juice of the flowers of Chamomilla recutita; Asteraceae.
30th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Corn starch, reaction products with 3-(dodecenyl)dihydro-2,5-furandione, calcium salt, degree of substitution per glucose unit less than 0.1
31st on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Naturally occurring substances, the water expressed from peat
32nd on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Glycosaminoglycans, hydrolyzed
33rd on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Acetic acid
34th 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
35th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
2-Hydroxy-1,2,3-propanetricarboxylic acid
36th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Spirulina Maxima Extract is an extract of the fronds of the Spirulina, Spirulina maxima, Cyanophyceae
37th 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]
38th 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
39th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Lecithins, hydrogenated
40th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Hyaluronic acid, 2-hydroxy-3-(N,N,N-trimethylammonio)propyl chloride derivatives
41st 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
42nd on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Hyaluronic acid
43rd on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Sodium Acetylhyaluronate
Products in the same category that share this formula's distinguishing ingredients.
Dr. Althea
Shares 18 key ingredients with Skin Relief Essence: Water, Butylene Glycol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Glycerin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp Copolymer
Dr. Althea
Shares 13 key ingredients with Skin Relief Essence: Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Panthenol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp Copolymer, Propanediol
TIRTIR
Shares 13 key ingredients with Skin Relief Essence: Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Water, Panthenol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Dr.Althea
Shares 13 key ingredients with Skin Relief Essence: Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Panthenol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp Copolymer, Propanediol
Huxley
Shares 13 key ingredients with Skin Relief Essence: Water, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
NEOGEN
Shares 12 key ingredients with Skin Relief Essence: Glycerin, Water, Propanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Panthenol
WATER, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, DIPROPYLENE GLYCOL, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, CENTELLA ASIATICA EXTRACT, BENZYL GLYCOL, GLYCERIN, AMMONIUM ACRYLOYLDIMETHYLTAURATE/VP COPOLYMER, PROPANEDIOL, SODIUM HYALURONATE, POLYGLYCERYL-10 LAURATE, PANTHENOL, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, CARBOMER, ARGININE, DIPOTASSIUM GLYCYRRHIZATE, CARTHAMUS TINCTORIUS FLOWER EXTRACT, DISODIUM EDTA, GLYCERYL ACRYLATE/ACRYLIC ACID COPOLYMER, GARDENIA FLORIDA FRUIT EXTRACT, DEXTRIN, SQUALANE, CITRUS AURANTIUM BERGAMIA FRUIT OIL, LIMONENE, LINALOOL, LEONTOPODIUM ALPINUM CALLUS CULTURE EXTRACT, ANASTATICA HIEROCHUNTICA EXTRACT, ADANSONIA DIGITATA FRUIT EXTRACT, CHAMOMILLA RECUTITA (MATRICARIA) FLOWER JUICE, CORN STARCH MODIFIED, PEAT WATER, HYDROLYZED GLYCOSAMINOGLYCANS, ACETIC ACID, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, CITRIC ACID, SPIRULINA MAXIMA EXTRACT, SODIUM HYALURONATE CROSSPOLYMER, HYDROLYZED HYALURONIC ACID, HYDROGENATED LECITHIN, HYDROXYPROPYLTRIMONIUM HYALURONATE, CERAMIDE NP, HYALURONIC ACID, SODIUM ACETYLATED HYALURONATE.
SODIUM HYALURONATE, PANTHENOL, CITRIC ACID, SODIUM HYALURONATE CROSSPOLYMER, HYDROLYZED HYALURONIC ACID, CERAMIDE NP, HYALURONIC ACID, SODIUM ACETYLATED HYALURONATE.
Cleanse your face thoroughly and gently pat dry. Apply toner (optional) to prep and balance the skin. Dispense 2–3 drops of the Skin Relief Essence onto your fingertips or directly onto the face. Gently pat and press the essence into the skin, starting from the center of your face and working outward for full absorption. Follow with moisturizer and SPF in the morning, or layer with serum and night cream in your evening routine.
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.
2 ingredients could feed malassezia: Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil. That describes the yeast's food supply, not a prediction that they 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.
No — it contains Limonene, Linalool.
No. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is no drying alcohol.
Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is silicone-free.
Yes — it contains Limonene, Linalool.
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 cleansing, before serums.
It lists 43 ingredients, of which 8 are recorded as actives.
Dr.Althea.
We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Attempting to reconnect