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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Numbuzin No. 5 Goodbye Blemish Serum versus Numbuzin No.3 Skin Softening Serum .

Last updated on July 18, 2023. Published on October 03, 2022

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe serums. They have a total of 12 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid and 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, silicones or sulfates

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

Serum South Korean Brand South Korea
Serum South Korean Brand South Korea

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Price

Shop

Buy No. 5 Goodbye Blemish Serum

Starts at $19.60
Shop

Buy No.3 Skin Softening Serum

Starts at $19.60

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

Vitamin C (3)
Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (9)
Reduces Irritation (6)
Skin Texture (3)
Reduces Large Pores (2)
Anti-Aging (4)
Dark Spots (6)
Scar Healing (5)
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (4)

Notable Ingredients

Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

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

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

Ingredients Side-by-side

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

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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, 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.

Numbuzin No. 5 Goodbye Blemish Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.

Numbuzin No.3 Skin Softening Serum contains this as ingredient number 3.

2
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.

Numbuzin No. 5 Goodbye Blemish Serum contains this as ingredient number 3.

Numbuzin No.3 Skin Softening Serum contains this as ingredient number 4.

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

Numbuzin No. 5 Goodbye Blemish Serum contains this as ingredient number 5.

Numbuzin No.3 Skin Softening Serum contains this as ingredient number 9.

4
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.

Numbuzin No. 5 Goodbye Blemish Serum contains this as ingredient number 6.

Numbuzin No.3 Skin Softening Serum contains this as ingredient number 8.

5
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

Numbuzin No. 5 Goodbye Blemish Serum contains this as ingredient number 7.

Numbuzin No.3 Skin Softening Serum contains this as ingredient number 6.

6
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Panthenol (also referred to as pro-vitamin B5) is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin.

lt is a humectant, meaning that it helps the skin attract and retain moisture.

Another benefit is the anti-inflammatory abilities. This means that it's great for sensitive, irritation-prone skin.

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

Learn more about Panthenol

Numbuzin No. 5 Goodbye Blemish Serum contains this as ingredient number 26.

Numbuzin No.3 Skin Softening Serum contains this as ingredient number 15.

7
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

Numbuzin No. 5 Goodbye Blemish Serum contains this as ingredient number 27.

Numbuzin No.3 Skin Softening Serum contains this as ingredient number 14.

8
What it does: Humectant
Community Rating: Mixed

Glycereth-26 is a synthetic ingredient and polyethylene glycol ether of Glycerin. Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin and helps keep your skin moisturized.

It is a humectant and helps add texture to products. It can make your product thicker.

As a humectant, it helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This helps your skin stay hydrated.

Learn more about Glycereth-26

Numbuzin No. 5 Goodbye Blemish Serum contains this as ingredient number 29.

Numbuzin No.3 Skin Softening Serum contains this as ingredient number 17.

9
What it does: Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming
Community Rating: Disliked

Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create gel consistency within products.

Carbomer is commonly found in many types of cosmetics products. It is found to be safe in concentrations up to 15%. However, a high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Most products contain 1% of less of carbomer.

Numbuzin No. 5 Goodbye Blemish Serum contains this as ingredient number 32.

Numbuzin No.3 Skin Softening Serum contains this as ingredient number 23.

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

Numbuzin No. 5 Goodbye Blemish Serum contains this as ingredient number 34.

Numbuzin No.3 Skin Softening Serum contains this as ingredient number 24.

11
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

Numbuzin No. 5 Goodbye Blemish Serum contains this as ingredient number 35.

Numbuzin No.3 Skin Softening Serum contains this as ingredient number 5.

12
What it does:
Community Rating: Disliked

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

Numbuzin No. 5 Goodbye Blemish Serum contains this as ingredient number 37.

Numbuzin No.3 Skin Softening Serum contains this as ingredient number 28.

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

62% are loved or liked
10% have mixed ratings
23% are disliked or very disliked
5% have no rating yet
43% are loved or liked
18% have mixed ratings
29% are disliked or very disliked
11% 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

Numbuzin No. 5 Goodbye Blemish Serum 39 ingredients

4.1 /5
from 12 reviews
SkylerMikalson's Avatar'
Jan 14, 2024

I was not very knowledgable about skincare when I first tried this product, so I can't fault it for that, but I have to say it was extremely irritating for me.

If you're new to skincare and are looking for something for acne, I do...

I was not very knowledgable about skincare when I first tried this product, so I can't fault it for that, but I have to say it was extremely irritating for me.

If you're new to skincare and are looking for something for acne, I do not think you should start with this.

I'm honestly not sure what is in this that is supposed to treat acne besides Niacinamide, which I've come to suspect my skin may not like in any amount anyway - I think it irritates me and causes flakiness.

And on top of the potentially irritating niacinamide, it has ascorbic acid, which is crazy given that Numbuzin is not marketing this as a vitamin C serum whatsoever. Vitamin C is a good ingredient for some people, but it doesn't treat acne, and ascorbic acid is the most irritating form of it. Why is it in here??

AND it has three essential oils in it! For what? Again, essential oils are irritants and, as far as I know do not treat acne.

So, why would you put highly irritating ingredients that do not treat acne in a product that is marketed as an acne treatment? If anything, those will only worsen acne, as irritated skin tends to be more acne prone.

I don't know, maybe I'm missing something, given that this product is so highly rated otherwise, but I just wouldn't recommend it to anyone, personally.

Irritating
rainbowfish's Avatar'
Dec 23, 2023

this clears up dark spots and acne scars so well!

this clears up dark spots and acne scars so well!

lia_240's Avatar'
Oct 17, 2023

makes the redness gone in a day

makes the redness gone in a day

Numbuzin No.3 Skin Softening Serum 28 ingredients

4.2 /5
from 16 reviews
cgi's Avatar'
Jan 28, 2024

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...

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 blended in with my routine sooo unbelievably well. i don't know what type of witchcraft or sorcery is in this, but this product is a blessing and it's money VERY well-spent. beautiful bottle, it's like glass or something. it's a bit expensive, but you get so much product that'll last you way longer than a year. like i've had this since MARCH, and i still have over half the bottle left even though i use 3 drops every single night religiously.
it's hydrating, makes my skin very smooth (as it should), and has gone above and beyond in improving my skin texture. it miraculously decreased so many of the little bumps i get. it also absorbs very well under my base, literally just cleared my skin and boosted the glass skin look. i love this serum please buy it.

Expensive
Light
No Scent
Works Well
anniec's Avatar'
Feb 5, 2024

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...

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
AlexandraMedina_359's Avatar'
Jul 23, 2023

It clears my acne and gets rid of texture fast! Took me less then a week to see its results when I first tried it,

It clears my acne and gets rid of texture fast! Took me less then a week to see its results when I first tried it,

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