Versus

Numbuzin No.3 Skin Softening Serum Versus Numbuzin No. 5 Daily Multi-Vitamin Cream

Serum
General Moisturizer
Korean Brand South Korea
Korean Brand South Korea

Updated on August 20, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 13 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain niacinamide

Suited For

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

Free From

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

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

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
No. 5 Daily Multi-Vitamin Cream

Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Methylpropanediol

Solvent

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Cetyl Ethylhexanoate

Emollient

Cetearyl Alcohol

Emollient
2 / 1 Fatty Alcohol IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Panthenol

Skin Conditioning
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Niacinamide

Smoothing
Niacinamide IconGood for Oily Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Betaine

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Dark Spots Icon

Vinyldimethicone

Silicon Icon

Squalane

Emollient
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Masking

1,2-Hexanediol

Skin Conditioning

Methyl Trimethicone

Skin Conditioning
Silicon Icon

Butyrospermum Parkii Butter

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Polymethylsilsesquioxane

Silicon Icon

Propanediol

Solvent

Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract

Skin Conditioning

Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

Curcuma Longa Root Extract

Masking
Fragrance Icon

Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Corallina Officinalis Extract

Skin Conditioning

Olea Europaea Leaf Extract

Perfuming
Fragrance Icon

Phaseolus Lunatus Seed Extract

Emollient

Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil

Masking
Oil Icon

Hydrogenated Lecithin

Emulsifying

Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil

Masking
Oil Icon

Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil

Masking
Fragrance IconOil Icon

Rosa Canina Fruit Oil

Emollient
Oil IconGood for Scar Healing IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water

Masking
Fragrance Icon

Water

Skin Conditioning

Glyceryl Linolenate

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Glyceryl Linoleate

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Tocopheryl Acetate

Antioxidant
0 / 0 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant Icon

Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Isononyl Isononanoate

Emollient

Glyceryl Stearate Se

Emulsifying
3 / 2 Bad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Glyceryl Stearate

Emollient
1 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Bisabolol

Masking
Helps reduce irritation Icon

Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer

Emulsion Stabilising

Stearyl Alcohol

Emollient
2 / 2 Fatty Alcohol Icon

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer

Emulsion Stabilising

Tromethamine

Buffering

Xanthan Gum

Emulsifying

3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid

Skin Conditioning
Vitamin C IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores Icon

Behenyl Alcohol

Emollient
Fatty Alcohol Icon

Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate

Antioxidant
Vitamin C IconAntioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Adenosine

Skin Conditioning
Good for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Disodium EDTA

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Sorbitan Isostearate

Emulsifying
1-2 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Cholesterol

Emollient
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Hydroxydecyl Ubiquinone

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum

Emulsion Stabilising

Agar

Masking

Dextrin

Absorbent

Ceramide NP

Skin Conditioning
Ceramide IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

7-Dehydrocholesterol

Emulsion Stabilising

Magnesium Myristate

Magnesium Stearate

Cosmetic Colorant
1 / 0

Sea Salt

Abrasive
Exfoliant IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconMay cause irritation IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Acetyl Glucosamine

Skin Conditioning

Zinc Gluconate

Skin Conditioning
Helps fight Acne Icon

Calcium Stearate

Cosmetic Colorant

Lactic Acid

Buffering
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose

Emulsion Stabilising

Rutin

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Ascorbyl Glucoside

Antioxidant
Vitamin C IconAntioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Zinc PCA

Humectant
Good for Scar Healing IconHelps fight Acne Icon

Glycine

Buffering
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Glutamic Acid

Humectant

Glutamine

Skin Conditioning

Dipotassium Phosphate

Buffering

Lysine

Skin Conditioning

Leucine

Skin Conditioning

Methionine

Skin Conditioning

Valine

Masking

Serine

Masking

Cysteine

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Citrulline

Skin Conditioning

Ascorbic Acid

Antioxidant
Vitamin C IconAntioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Asparagine

Masking

Aspartic Acid

Masking

Isoleucine

Skin Conditioning

Alanine

Masking

Arginine

Masking
Good for Scar Healing IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Ornithine

Skin Conditioning

Copper Tripeptide-1

Skin Conditioning
Peptide IconGood for Skin Texture IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Taurine

Buffering

Tyrosine

Masking

Threonine

Tryptophan

Masking

Pantothenic Acid

Skin Conditioning

Phenylalanine

Masking

Proline

Skin Conditioning

Histidine

Humectant

Retinyl Palmitate

Skin Conditioning
1-3 / 1-3 Retinoid IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Repagermanium

Skin Conditioning

Linolenic Acid

Cleansing
Fragrance IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Riboflavin

Cosmetic Colorant

Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate

Antioxidant
Vitamin C IconAntioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Menadione

Masking

Biotin

Antiseborrhoeic

Bioflavonoids

Skin Conditioning

Cyanocobalamin

Skin Conditioning

Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate

Antioxidant
Vitamin C IconAntioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Tocopherol

Antioxidant
0-3 / 0-3 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Thiamine Hcl

Masking

Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7

Skin Conditioning
Peptide IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1

Skin Conditioning
Peptide IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Folic Acid

Skin Conditioning

Pyridoxine

Skin Conditioning

Hesperidin

Emollient

Ethylhexylglycerin

Skin Conditioning

Limonene

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Citral

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Methylpropanediol, Glycerin, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Panthenol, Niacinamide, Betaine, Vinyldimethicone, Squalane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Methyl Trimethicone, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Propanediol, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Phaseolus Lunatus Seed Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Water, Glyceryl Linolenate, Glyceryl Linoleate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Glyceryl Stearate, Bisabolol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Stearyl Alcohol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Xanthan Gum, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Behenyl Alcohol, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Butylene Glycol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Cholesterol, Hydroxydecyl Ubiquinone, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum, Agar, Dextrin, Ceramide NP, 7-Dehydrocholesterol, Magnesium Myristate, Magnesium Stearate, Sea Salt, Acetyl Glucosamine, Zinc Gluconate, Calcium Stearate, Lactic Acid, Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose, Rutin, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Zinc PCA, Glycine, Glutamic Acid, Glutamine, Dipotassium Phosphate, Lysine, Leucine, Methionine, Valine, Serine, Cysteine, Citrulline, Ascorbic Acid, Asparagine, Aspartic Acid, Isoleucine, Alanine, Arginine, Ornithine, Copper Tripeptide-1, Taurine, Tyrosine, Threonine, Tryptophan, Pantothenic Acid, Phenylalanine, Proline, Histidine, Retinyl Palmitate, Repagermanium, Linolenic Acid, Riboflavin, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Menadione, Biotin, Bioflavonoids, Cyanocobalamin, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tocopherol, Thiamine Hcl, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Folic Acid, Pyridoxine, Hesperidin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Limonene, Citral

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

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.
  • It has mild preservative properties.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water
Smoothing

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
Skin Conditioning, Solvent

1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse. 

It is a:

  • Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
  • Emollient, helping to soften skin
  • Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
  • Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives 
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

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
Emollient, Skin Conditioning

Squalane is an emollient that helps the skin hold onto moisture. It's an oily liquid that occurs naturally in certain types of fish and plant oils.

Because squalane boosts hydration in the skin, it also comes with plenty of benefits: it is an antioxidant and can help fight free radicals and skin damage. Squalane is also found to have a detoxifying effect when applied.

Squalane comes from squalene, which occurs naturally within the sebum of our skin. It is one of the oils our skin produces to keep itself hydrated. Squalane is the hydrogenated version of squalene and has a longer shelf life.

Research shows that squalane is non-irritating (even at 100% concentration).

In general, it's a fantastic ingredient. It does a great job at hydrating the skin, and it's suitable for those with sensitive skin.

The source of squalane may impact malassezia / fungal acne. This is because olive oil derived squalane can contain impurities such as fatty acids and plant waxes. Sugarcane derived squalane is recommended for anyone with malassezia concerns.

Is squalane vegan?

This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.

Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane.

Read more about squalene with an "e".

Learn more about Squalane
Skin Conditioning

Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.

There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.

D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.

Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):

Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.

This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.

Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.

This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.

Learn more about Panthenol
Skin Conditioning

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
Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.

On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.

Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.

Learn more about Xanthan Gum
Emulsifying

Glyceryl Stearate Se is a self-emulsifying (SE) form of glyceryl stearate. Self-emusifying means this ingredient automatically blends with water. It is an emulsifier, emollient, and cleansing agent.

As an emulsifier, Glyceryl Stearate Se prevents ingredients such as oil and water from separating. It is also a surfactant, meaning it helps cleanse the skin. Surfactants help gather oil, dirt, and other pollutants so they may be rinsed away easily.

Emollients help your skin stay smooth and soft. It does so by creating a film on top of the skin that helps trap moisture in.

Learn more about Glyceryl Stearate Se
Buffering, Masking

Tromethamine helps balance the pH and improve the texture of a product. It is synthetically created.

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
Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.

Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.

Learn more about Disodium EDTA

When to use

1,833 Routines
43% use in am
57% use in pm
92% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
119 Routines
49% use in am
52% use in pm
94% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Numbuzin No.3 Skin Softening Serum 28 ingredients

3.7 /5
from 39 ratings
Works Well (12) Light (9) Absorbs Well (8)
cgi's avatar

cgi

1 year ago
Review

numbuzin has become one of my favorite brands along with cosrx. this is one of the two serums i own from them, this and the no.5 goodbye blemish serum.
i've only been using this since march of last year and it has been a game-changer ever since. i feel a bit dramatic when i say this, but i genuinely have seen a big difference in my skin using this compared to any other serum i've ever used. it Show more

#expensive
#light
#no scent
#works well
anniec's avatar

anniec

1 year ago
Review

I had small bumps everywhere and my skin is quite sensitive but this worked very well. It made my skin almost completely smooth. The only thing it didn't fix was the stubborn closed comedones on my jaw and chin which wont go away no matter what.

#light
#absorbs well
#works well

Numbuzin No. 5 Daily Multi-Vitamin Cream 116 ingredients

3.3 /5
from 3 ratings
Broke Me Out (2) Light Scent (2) Drying (1)
vaannnssss's avatar

Vans

9 months ago
Review

This is incredible at first use since it feels like a butter melting into your skin. Easily absorbed and what I love about this it doesn’t leave a sticky finish. Not at all. Has a little citrusy smell and has bit of orange granules that melt. But throughout my use, I noticed that it somehow triggered my acne and noticed hardcore drying along my nasolabial folds and chin area where I usually apply Show more

#drying
#broke me out
#irritating
#light scent
hannahmae's avatar

Hannah Mae

6 months ago
Review

This is actually amazing! It helped me hydrate my skin. Although, this is a heavy cream, so you’d rather use this at night only

#hydrating
#works well