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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Neogen Real Ferment Micro Essence versus Numbuzin No.3 Super Glowing Essence Toner .

Last updated on July 18, 2023. Published on May 19, 2022

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 15 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid and niacinamide

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores and dark spots

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens, silicones or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain oils

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Essence South Korean Brand South Korea
Toner South Korean Brand South Korea

Essence

Essences are used to prep skin for further treatment and may provide extra skin benefits. They are usually used before serum and moisturizers. Essences are thought to have originated in either Japan or Korea and is an essential step in K-Beauty.

Toner

Toners are used as a “last-step” cleanser, a pH balancer, add moisture to the skin, or may help in reducing impurities on the skin. They have a liquid consistency and are usually used after cleansers but before treatments.

Price

Shop

Buy Real Ferment Micro Essence

Starts at $19.88
Shop

Buy No.3 Super Glowing Essence Toner

Starts at $16.10

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Exfoliators
Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (3)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (4)
Reduces Irritation (3)
Reduces Large Pores (2)
Anti-Aging (3)
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (2)

Notable Ingredients

Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (2)
Reduces Irritation
Reduces Large Pores
Dark Spots
Acne Fighting
Brightening (2)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin
Acne Trigger
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

WaterDipropylene GlycolGlycereth-261,2-HexanediolNiacinamideButylene GlycolGlycerinMethyl Gluceth-20Spiraea Ulmaria ExtractLactococcus/Bean Seed Extract Ferment FiltrateLactobacillus/Rice FermentChlorella FermentLactobacillus/Algae Extract FermentSaccharomyces/Grape Ferment ExtractLactobacillus/Pumpkin Ferment ExtractLactobacillus/Soybean Ferment ExtractLactobacillus/Soybean Extract Ferment FiltrateSaccharomyces/Rice Ferment FiltrateSaccharomyces/Barley Seed Ferment FiltrateSaccharomyces/Calcium Ferment Saccharomyces/Laminaria Saccharina FermentSaccharomyces/Potato Extract Ferment FiltrateLactobacillus/Eriodictyon Californicum Ferment ExtractLactobacillus/Water Hyacinth FermentLactobacillus/Rye Flour FermentLactobacillus/Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Ferment FiltrateLactobacillus/Milk Ferment FiltrateLactobacillusLactobacillus/Acerola Cherry FermentLactobacillus FermentLactobacillus Ferment Lysate FiltrateLactococcus/Milk Ferment LysateLactococcus FermentLactococcus Ferment ExtractLactococcus Ferment LysateStreptococcus Thermophilus FermentAureobasidium Pullulans Ferment FiltrateBifida Ferment FiltrateLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment FiltrateLactobacillus/Wasabia Japonica Root Ferment ExtractLactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment ExtractBacillus/Glutamic Acid Ferment FiltrateBacillus/Rice Bran Extract/Soybean Extract Ferment FiltrateMonascus/Rice FermentSaccharomyces/Rice Bran Ferment Filtrate ExtractSaccharomyces/Rice Bran FermentLactobacillus/Pear Juice Ferment FiltratePichia Ferment Lysate FiltrateAlteromonas Ferment ExtractSaccharomyces/Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Ferment FiltrateSaccharomyces/Soy Protein FermentSphingomonas Ferment ExtractSaccharomyces/Malachite FermentSaccharomyces FermentSaccharomyces Ferment FiltrateAspergillus FermentAspergillus/Glucose/Soybean/Starch Ferment FiltratePelargonium Graveolens Flower OilSodium HyaluronatePolyglyceryl-10 LaurateCetearyl AlcoholBetaineAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerTromethaminePolyquaternium-51HydroxyethylcelluloseAdenosineGeraniolCitronellol

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Humectant
Community Rating: Liked

Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate is created from fermenting Saccharomyces, a yeast also known as baker's yeast or brewer's yeast.

As a humectant, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This helps keep your skin hydrated. This is due to its beta-glucan content.

Neogen Real Ferment Micro Essence contains this as ingredient number 2.

Numbuzin No.3 Super Glowing Essence Toner contains this as ingredient number 56.

2
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

We don't have a description for Aspergillus Ferment.

Neogen Real Ferment Micro Essence contains this as ingredient number 5.

Numbuzin No.3 Super Glowing Essence Toner contains this as ingredient number 58.

3
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.

As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.

Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.

Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.

In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.

This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

Learn more about Glycerin

Neogen Real Ferment Micro Essence contains this as ingredient number 6.

Numbuzin No.3 Super Glowing Essence Toner contains this as ingredient number 7.

4
What it does: Masking, Solvent
Community Rating: Disliked

Dipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created stabilizer and solvent. It is a part of the glycol class in the alcohol family.

Dipropylene Glycol helps dissolve and evenly distribute ingredients. It also helps decrease viscosity and thin out texture.

As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.

Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.

Learn more about Dipropylene Glycol

Neogen Real Ferment Micro Essence contains this as ingredient number 7.

Numbuzin No.3 Super Glowing Essence Toner contains this as ingredient number 2.

5
What it does: Humectant, Moisturising
Community Rating: Liked

Methyl Gluceth-20 is a humectant. Humectants help draw moisture from the air to your skin.

It is created by combining polyethylene glycol with glucose.

Neogen Real Ferment Micro Essence contains this as ingredient number 8.

Numbuzin No.3 Super Glowing Essence Toner contains this as ingredient number 8.

6
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Neogen Real Ferment Micro Essence contains this as ingredient number 9.

Numbuzin No.3 Super Glowing Essence Toner contains this as ingredient number 1.

7
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Betaine is a common humectant (a substance that promotes retention of moisture). It's known to be gentle on the skin and can help balance hydration.

Betaine is best for improving hydration and soothing irritated skin. Studies show betaine may help with uneven skin tones.

Betaine is naturally created in the skin and body. The form found within cosmetic products can be either plant-dervied or synthetic.

Learn more about Betaine

Neogen Real Ferment Micro Essence contains this as ingredient number 10.

Numbuzin No.3 Super Glowing Essence Toner contains this as ingredient number 64.

8
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Lactobacillus is a type of bacteria. It makes up most of the food fermenting lactic acid bacteria. It is used to create wine, yogurt, cheese, sauerkraut, pickles, beer, cider, kimchi, cocoa, kefir.

Lactobacillus has antibacterial and antifungal properties (that's why we can eat the fermented foods above).

Lactobacillus is also skin conditioning and helps soothe the skin.

Read about lactobacillus ferment here.

Learn more about Lactobacillus

Neogen Real Ferment Micro Essence contains this as ingredient number 14.

Numbuzin No.3 Super Glowing Essence Toner contains this as ingredient number 28.

9
What it does: Emulsion Stabilising
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken and improve the texture of products.

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is also an emulsifier. Due to its properties, it can prevent water and oil ingredients from separating.

Neogen Real Ferment Micro Essence contains this as ingredient number 18.

Numbuzin No.3 Super Glowing Essence Toner contains this as ingredient number 65.

10
What it does: Buffering, Masking
Community Rating: Liked

Tromethamine is an aliphatic compound. An aliphatic compound is an organic compound with open-chained carbon atoms. It is synthetically created. Tromethamine is used to balance pH and improve texture.

As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.

Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.

Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.

1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-

Learn more about Tromethamine

Neogen Real Ferment Micro Essence contains this as ingredient number 19.

Numbuzin No.3 Super Glowing Essence Toner contains this as ingredient number 66.

11
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

1,2-Hexanediol is a multi-tasker ingredient. It acts as a preservative to increase shelf-life and can aid other preservatives in preventing microbe growth. 1,2-Hexanediol also helps the skin retain moisture as a humectant.

In products that are water-based, this ingredient can help stabilize perfumes and fragrances. It can also help make the texture of products softer and more smooth.

Neogen Real Ferment Micro Essence contains this as ingredient number 20.

Numbuzin No.3 Super Glowing Essence Toner contains this as ingredient number 4.

12
What it does: Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

  • It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
  • It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
  • It helps improve product application.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.

Neogen Real Ferment Micro Essence contains this as ingredient number 23.

Numbuzin No.3 Super Glowing Essence Toner contains this as ingredient number 6.

13
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.

Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.

Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.

These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:

Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate

Neogen Real Ferment Micro Essence contains this as ingredient number 29.

Numbuzin No.3 Super Glowing Essence Toner contains this as ingredient number 61.

14
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.

Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.

Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.

In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.

Learn more about Adenosine

Neogen Real Ferment Micro Essence contains this as ingredient number 30.

Numbuzin No.3 Super Glowing Essence Toner contains this as ingredient number 69.

15
What it does: Smoothing
Community Rating: Loved

Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.

It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation. It also helps fade dark-spots and strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.

Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.

The cherry on top? Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.

When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.

Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.

Learn more about Niacinamide

Neogen Real Ferment Micro Essence contains this as ingredient number 31.

Numbuzin No.3 Super Glowing Essence Toner contains this as ingredient number 5.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

71% are loved or liked
10% have mixed ratings
8% are disliked or very disliked
10% have no rating yet
30% are loved or liked
16% have mixed ratings
12% are disliked or very disliked
42% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Neogen Real Ferment Micro Essence 49 ingredients

3.0 /5
from 1 rating

Numbuzin No.3 Super Glowing Essence Toner 69 ingredients

2.8 /5
from 10 ratings
Strong Scent (3) Broke Me Out (2) Hydrating (1) Irritating (1) Sticky (1) Works Well (1)
sopheify's avatar

sopheify

6 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

broke me out so bad
thought my skin was just adapting so i continued to use it for 3 more days. it awakened pores that were semi-gone alrdy and it...

broke me out so bad
thought my skin was just adapting so i continued to use it for 3 more days. it awakened pores that were semi-gone alrdy and it developed puss and it was so sore and itchy entire night. gradually went away after i stopped using

laila.21's avatar

laila.21

4 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

I used this for 3 days (morning and evening) when I finally stopped having brekouts. Just when I used it, the next day I got painful cyctic acnes...

I used this for 3 days (morning and evening) when I finally stopped having brekouts. Just when I used it, the next day I got painful cyctic acnes and it just made my face dull with bumps all over my forehead.
Also the smell is horrible if you're not a fan of that (almost smells like a strong herbal medication)

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