Athe

athe is a Korean skincare and lip-care brand with a strong vegan focus. The range pairs the Vegan Relief line of soothing essences and sun care with treatment steps like the Melaser Programming Ampoule and Vital A Prime Relief Cream, plus the Ascetic and Glaze lip balms and a hand cream. Most pieces run in compact 30ml to 70ml sizes built for layering. Shop the full athe collection below.

  • Korean skincare
  • Vegan Relief line
  • Sun care & cushions
  • Lip balms & glow

By Skinsli editorial Updated

Buying guide

athe buying guide: vegan skincare, sun care, and lip balms

athe is a Korean beauty brand built around vegan skincare, with a smaller run of lip products and a hand cream. The catalogue centres on the Vegan Relief line of soothing essences, sun essences, and a sun cushion, then adds targeted steps like the Melaser Programming Ampoule and the Vital A Prime Relief Cream. This guide explains what each part of the range does, how to layer the essences and creams, and which products suit calming, brightening, or sun-protection goals.

What athe makes

athe is a Korean skincare brand with a clear vegan slant, and most of the range is facial care: essences, an ampoule, and creams. It also makes lip balms in the Ascetic and Glaze lines and a hand cream, so you can round out a routine beyond the face. The product names point at their job, from the Vegan Relief Zen Essence for soothing to the Melaser Programming Ampoule for spots and tone. If you want a single Korean brand that covers calming, treatment, sun, and lips, athe gives you a tidy set to work from.

The Vegan Relief line

The Vegan Relief line is the largest part of the athe range. It includes the Zen Essence for soothing and hydration, the Sun Essence for daytime protection, and a Sun Cushion for touch-ups over makeup. Some Zen Essence options come as a 70ml plus 40ml set, which gives you a full size and a smaller one to keep in a bag. Reach for this line first if your skin runs sensitive or easily flushed and you want calming care that still includes sun cover.

Treatment steps: ampoule and relief cream

For more targeted work, athe offers the Melaser Programming Ampoule and the Vital A Prime Relief Cream. An ampoule like the Melaser is a concentrated serum step you apply before moisturiser, aimed here at dark spots and uneven tone. The Vital A Prime Relief Cream sits later in the routine as a richer finish that seals in the steps before it. Use the ampoule on the concern you care about most, then lock it in with the cream.

Sun care options

athe builds sun protection into the Vegan Relief line rather than treating it as a separate range. The Sun Essence works as a lightweight daily layer that doubles as the last step of skincare, while the Sun Cushion lets you reapply over the day without disturbing makeup. Daily sun protection is the single most useful habit for keeping tone even, which is why pairing the Sun Essence with the Melaser ampoule makes sense. Keep the cushion in a bag for afternoon top-ups.

Lip balms: Ascetic and Glaze

On the lip side, athe makes the Ascetic Airy Lip Balm, the Ascetic Lip Glow Balm, and the Glaze Lip Balm Stick. The Airy Lip Balm leans toward a light, comfortable finish, while the Lip Glow Balm adds a hint of colour and shine. The Glaze stick format is the easy grab-and-go option for dry lips through the day. Any of these works as a finishing touch after skincare or a quick standalone fix.

Beyond the face

athe also makes a 50ml Hand Cream, sold under the Bell Sleeve Dress name, for dry hands and cuticles. A compact hand cream is handy to keep at a desk or in a bag for use through the day. It rounds out the brand past facial care without asking you to switch to another label. Apply it after washing your hands or whenever they feel tight.

How to layer athe in a routine

A simple athe routine runs from thinnest to richest. Start with the Melaser Programming Ampoule on clean skin for tone, follow with the Vegan Relief Zen Essence for hydration and calm, then seal with the Vital A Prime Relief Cream. In the morning, finish with the Sun Essence and top up with the Sun Cushion as needed. Lip balm and hand cream sit outside this order and go on whenever you want them.

Sizes and value

athe products tend to come in compact sizes, from the 10ml Melaser ampoule to 30ml and 70ml creams and essences. Smaller sizes make it cheaper to try a step before committing, and the 70ml plus 40ml Zen Essence set is a good way to test the line with a travel piece included. Start with one essence or the ampoule to see how your skin responds, then build out the routine once you know what works.

Vegan formulas and Korean sourcing

athe is a Korean brand, and the Vegan Relief naming reflects a vegan focus that runs through the core of the range. Vegan skincare leaves out animal-derived ingredients, which appeals to shoppers who screen for that. We carry athe so you can buy the line without arranging your own import from Korea. If vegan Korean skincare is what you are after, this collection is a solid place to start.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

  • athe is a Korean skincare brand with a vegan focus. Most of the range is facial care, including the Vegan Relief essences, the Melaser Programming Ampoule, and the Vital A Prime Relief Cream. It also makes lip balms in the Ascetic and Glaze lines and a hand cream, so you can build a routine that goes beyond the face.

  • The Vegan Relief line is athe's soothing range and includes the Zen Essence for calm and hydration, the Sun Essence for daytime protection, and a Sun Cushion for reapplying over makeup. It suits sensitive or easily flushed skin that wants gentle care with sun cover built in. The Zen Essence also comes as a 70ml plus 40ml set so you have a full size and a smaller one to carry.

  • The Melaser Programming Ampoule is a concentrated serum step aimed at dark spots and uneven tone, and you apply it before your moisturiser. In an athe routine it goes on clean skin first, followed by an essence and then the Vital A Prime Relief Cream to seal it in. Pair it with daily sun protection, since sun care does most of the work to keep tone even.

  • Use the athe Sun Essence as a lightweight daily layer that also works as the last step of your morning skincare. The Sun Cushion is for touch-ups during the day, since it goes over makeup without disturbing it. Many people use both: the essence in the morning and the cushion for afternoon reapplication.

  • athe makes the Ascetic Airy Lip Balm, the Ascetic Lip Glow Balm, and the Glaze Lip Balm Stick. The Airy Lip Balm gives a light, comfortable finish, the Lip Glow Balm adds a hint of colour and shine, and the Glaze stick is the easy grab-and-go option for dry lips. Any of them works as a finish after skincare or on its own.

  • Go from thinnest to richest. Start with the Melaser Programming Ampoule on clean skin, follow with the Vegan Relief Zen Essence, then seal with the Vital A Prime Relief Cream. In the morning, finish with the Sun Essence and top up with the Sun Cushion as needed. Lip balm and hand cream sit outside this order.

  • athe is a Korean brand, and the Vegan Relief naming reflects a vegan focus that runs through the core of the range. Vegan formulas leave out animal-derived ingredients, which matters to shoppers who screen for that. We carry athe so you can buy the line without arranging your own import from Korea.