Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream Mask

Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream Mask is the concentrated version of the brand's relief cream — a thick cream mask for skin that has gone past dry into genuinely irritated.

It carries the same panthenol, ceramide and madecassoside combination, in a richer base meant to sit on the skin rather than absorb immediately. Left on overnight it works the way an occlusive layer does: it stops water escaping and gives the barrier the uninterrupted hours it needs to recover.

How to use: as the last step at night, apply a thick layer over the whole face and leave on overnight. Rinse in the morning or simply massage in what is left. Use two or three nights a week, or nightly when skin is very irritated.

Frequently asked questions

Do I rinse it off?
Either works. Rinse in the morning if your skin is oily, or press in the remainder if your skin is dry.

When should I use it instead of the relief cream?
Use the cream daily. Reach for the mask when your skin is actively stinging, flaking or reacting — after over-exfoliation, a strong retinoid night or a procedure.

Will it clog my pores overnight?
It is a soothing mask, not a heavy oil balm. If your skin is very oily, use it only on the irritated areas.