Melano CC Intensive Anti-Spot Essence - Japan Versus Numbuzin No.5 Vitamin Concentrated Serum
Updated on April 08, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 6 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain Vitamin C and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances
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
Melano CC Intensive Anti-Spot Essence 12 ingredients
Numbuzin No.5 Vitamin Concentrated Serum 47 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Melano CC Intensive Anti-Spot Essence 12 ingredients
Numbuzin No.5 Vitamin Concentrated Serum 47 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Sorbitol
Humectant
Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Saccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingAlpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Bifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Azadirachta Indica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Charcoal Extract
Skin ConditioningWool Extract
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Masking
Tromethamine
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Glutathione
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingUbiquinone
Antioxidant
Thioctic Acid
Antioxidant
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Water, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Tranexamic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sorbitol, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Alpha-Arbutin, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Azadirachta Indica Leaf Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Charcoal Extract, Wool Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Bisabolol, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Allantoin, Glutathione, Ceramide NP, Beta-Glucan, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Tocopherol, Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Ubiquinone, Thioctic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Behenyl Alcohol, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ascorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C. This form makes up the largest amount of vitamin C found naturally in our skin.
Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, it also has plenty of benefits on your skin.
Vitamin C is best used for brightening skin. It improves dark spots, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation. This is because it blocks the process of skin darkening when exposed to UV.
Remember: Vitamin C should not replace sunscreen!
Your skin uses vitamin C to build collagen. Collagen is one key component in having a strong skin barrier and plump skin. Vitamin C also plays a role in regulating collagen, thus making it effective in improving wrinkles and fine lines.
Ascorbic acid shows potent antioxidant activity. As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. These antioxidants also protect skin against UV damage.
The best formulations include Vitamin E and/or ferulic acid. These two ingredients help stabilize and provide a boost in the benefits of ascorbic acid. This is because ascorbic acid becomes unstable when exposed to UV and air. In fact, you can tell your ascorbic acid has oxidized when it turns an orange-yellow color.
Ascorbic acid is generally compatible with other ingredients. However, using ascorbic acid with other active ingredients might cause irritation. Two ingredients: copper ions and benzoyl peroxide, will inactivate ascorbic acid completely.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Foods rich with vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, broccoli, bell peppers, and more. When consuming Vitamin C, your skin receives a portion of the nutrients.
Learn more about Ascorbic AcidTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateDipotassium Glycyrrhizate comes from licorice root.
Extracts of licorice have demonstrated to have antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant properties.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Licorice root is native to Southern Europe and Asia. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to help with respiratory issues.
Learn more about Dipotassium GlycyrrhizateWater. 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 WaterButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolDisodium 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 EDTAIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Melano CC Intensive Anti-Spot Essence 12 ingredients
Numbuzin No.5 Vitamin Concentrated Serum 47 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Melano CC Intensive Anti-Spot Essence 12 ingredients
I'm giving this 5 stars for the phenomenal packaging. I lost the cap once and I was worried it'll oxidise quickly but after a whole week without the cap, the serum was still clear and not oxidised at all!!!
Price: 5/5
Great for the product quality & packaging.
Packaging: 5/5
Very good for vitamin c that oxidize easily. Easy to dispense the product.
Texture: 5/5
Slightly watery. Easy to spread and absorb into skin. Easy to layer with other skincare.
Smell: 5/5
pleasant citrus smell
Result: 5/5
After 1 month use, my dark acne scars are noticeably lighter, some completely gone. Not irritating Show more
Numbuzin No.5 Vitamin Concentrated Serum 47 ingredients
This serum is one of the best all-round anti-oxidant and dark spot serums containing:
- vitamin c
- Glutathion!!
- 5% niacinamide
- Q10
- Alpha Arbutin
(Unfortunately they removed TXA)
Skin type: combi acne prone
This is not just a dark spot serum, its a perfect anti-oxidant serum in the morning. Glutathion is a killer ingredient and the concentration of Vit C is low.
My acne Show more
Works perfectly how its advertised, the changes it made to my redness and acne were done overnight. In addition to it combating irritated skin, it is hydrating as well. It’s not perfect since it hasn’t worked for my fungal acne and texture wise it is a little sticky but it absorbs into my skin very quickly. I find the shea butter can be an issue for me personally in skincare since it will also Show more
