An In-Depth Numbuzin No 3 Serum Review

If you've been looking to get that 'glass skin' look, this serum might be the one for you. I originally heard about this product through a YouTuber named Tina Tanaka Harris, she raved about this and her skin was absolutely GLOWING. I had to give it a go! Let's dive straight into the Numbuzin No 3 Serum review!

Quick facts:

Formulation: The Skin Softening Serum is free from parabens, fragrances, oils or alcohols. 

Potential irritants: Looking at the ingredient list, there is a low irritancy level overall and the website lists that this product has passed the hypoallergenic test in 2019.

Scent: The serum has a light and subtle floral scent.

Packaging: Numbuzin’s product comes in a pipette bottle, allowing for the serum to be easily and hygienically applied to the skin.

Application: The serum is very lightweight and absorbs quickly into the skin. It has a watery but slightly tacky consistency but provides the skin with lots of hydration!

Where to purchase: The serum can be purchased from the Numbuzin site or their official Amazon storefront (I purchased from Amazon).

Price: Around $22.40 USD

Pros: This is a slightly thicker serum that is great for adding moisture to the skin and giving that dewy skin look! You're also getting a ton of value from this little bottle because one of the top ingredients, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate (also the main ingredient of SK-II under the trade name Pitera).

Cons: Because I have oilier skin in the summer, I felt like this was a little too tacky for me after applying to the skin. I also have noticed much change in the texture of my skin after using this.

My Verdict: 8/10. This could be a great starter fermented product to try first, especially if you're considering trying SKII somewhere down the line! If you're just looking for a hydrating serum and prefer something lighter in consistency, I am currently using the SKIN1004 Centella Ampoule mentioned in my all-time favorites list.

A SKII Dupe?

The Numbuzin website notes that the serum is made with high-quality fermented ingredients which leave the skin looking and feeling smoother. The fermented ingredients (Galactomyces 21%, Bifida 42%) help to even and smooth skin tone by strengthening the skin. If that first ingredient looks familiar, its because it is the main ingredient in the SKII treatment essence!

The Softening Serum ingredients (more notes about it below)

Bifida Ferment Lysate, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Butylene Glycol, Methyl Gluceth-20, Purified Water, Niacinamide, PEG-90, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Squalane, Alteromonas Ferment Extract, Silk Extract, Goat Milk Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Adenosine, Glycereth-26, Xanthan Gum, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Tropolone, Disodium EDTA

numbuzin.shop

You might notice right away - the Galactomyces ferment filtrate! Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, is the main ingredient of SK-II under the trade name Pitera. GFF is such a functional ingredient and this is also one of the key ingredients in SKII as well as the COSRX & Secret Key dupes. "Its use originated from the empirical observation that the hands of sake brewers who deal with yeast fermentation retain a beautiful and youthful appearance" (National Library of Medicine).

Is Numbuzin No 3 serum good for oily skin?

I think this serum is better for dry to normal skin types. This could be a great starter fermented product to try first, especially if you're considering trying SKII somewhere down the line. Since I have oiler skin during the summer months, this is a little tacky much for me and can cause some closed comedones. I am currently using the lighter SKIN1004 Centella Ampoule mentioned in my all-time favorites list.

My personal experience/verdict

If you're looking for an affordable dupe to the SKII essence, the Numbuzin No. 3 Skin Softening Serum (Amazon link here) might be worth a try! This serum is slightly more viscous and hydrating than a fermented essence, but it has similar brightening and hydration effects. This serum is truly value-packed in terms of ingredients, not to mention the brand has a solid lineup of products (I love the No3 primer too!!).

Comment below if you've tried this and have been enjoying it!

*This post may contain affiliate links – however, these are my honest opinions and products are purchased with my own moolah*