Numbuzin Numbers Explained: Which No. Is Right for You?

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Numbuzin organises its range into numbered lines, and each number groups products around a particular skin goal. In short: No.1 is for calming and everyday basics, No.3 is for smoothness and glow, No.4 is for pores and cooling, No.5 is for brightening, No.6 is for overnight hydration and No.9 is for firming. Pick the number that matches your main concern, then build the rest of your routine around it.

Because the bottles look so similar, it's easy to end up with the wrong one. Below, we break down each line based on the Numbuzin products we stock, with tips on who each suits and how to combine them.

Numbuzin at a glance

• No.1: calming, gentle basics and sun care
• No.3: fermented ingredients for softer, smoother, glowier skin
• No.4: pore care and cooling
• No.5: brightening and the look of dark spots
• No.6: deep, overnight hydration
• No.9: firmness and the look of fine lines

No.1: calm and everyday basics

The No.1 line is all about keeping things gentle. It includes the No.1 Pantothenic B5 Active Soothing Cream, a lightweight cream with pantothenic acid and niacinamide that suits oily, combination and sensitive skin, and the No.1 Easy Peasy Cleansing Oil for removing makeup and sunscreen.

The standout for Australian routines is Numbuzin No.1 Clear Filter Sun Essence SPF50+ PA++++. It's a lightweight chemical sunscreen with a serum-like texture that absorbs quickly without a greasy residue or white cast. It contains licorice root, centella asiatica and houttuynia cordata extracts, niacinamide and 10 types of hyaluronic acid, is described as non-comedogenic and oil-free, and is designed to layer well under makeup.

Best for: sensitive skin, anyone wanting a simple routine, and anyone looking for a comfortable everyday sunscreen.

No.3: smooth, soft and glowy

No.3 is built around fermented ingredients and is probably Numbuzin's best-known line. Numbuzin No.3 Skin Softening Serum contains 42% bifida and 21% galactomyces ferments, along with niacinamide, adenosine and alteromonas ferment extract. It has a rich, viscous texture and is designed to improve the look of skin texture and enlarged pores, brighten dullness and give long-lasting hydration.

The line also includes the No.3 Porcelain Base-Skip Tone Up Beige, a 3-in-1 cream that acts as a sunscreen, primer and powder for days you want to skip foundation.

Best for: dull, rough or uneven-feeling skin, and anyone chasing a "glass skin" glow.

No.4: pores and cooling

No.4 focuses on pores and keeping skin feeling fresh. The No.4 Pore Zero Peeled Egg Toner Pad is an exfoliating pad with gluconolactone (PHA) and capryloyl salicylic acid (LHA), plus glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, panthenol and allantoin. It suits oily and acne-prone skin and is aimed at enlarged pores and uneven texture. The No.4 SOS Icy Soothing Sheet Mask is a cooling sheet mask for skin that feels overheated, which is handy for Australian summers.

Best for: oily or combination skin, congestion and visible pores.

No.5: brightening

If your main goal is a brighter, more even-looking complexion, No.5 is your number. Numbuzin No.5+ Glutathione Vitamin Concentrated Serum is a vitamin C serum with lingonberry extract, niacinamide and alpha-arbutin, designed to brighten dull skin and help fade the look of dark spots and uneven tone.

The line also includes the No.5+ Glutathione Vitamin Concentrated Toner, with glutathione, vitamin C, niacinamide, panthenol and madecassoside, and the No.5 Vitamin-Niacinamide Concentrated Pad.

Best for: dullness, uneven tone and the look of post-blemish marks. Pair it with daily sunscreen, as brightening products work best when you're also protecting skin from UV.

No.6: overnight hydration

The No.6 Deep Sleep Mask Serum contains 63% Icelandic glacier water, a 5-layer hyaluronic acid complex, niacinamide, vitamin E and chlorella vulgaris extract. It has a watery, gel-like texture that absorbs quickly with a non-sticky, dewy finish, and is designed for overnight hydration, especially for dry or dehydrated skin.

Best for: dry or dehydrated skin, air-conditioned offices and "lazy" nights when you want one hydrating step.

No.9: firming

No.9 is Numbuzin's firming line. numbuzin No.9 NAD Bio Lifting-sil Essence combines NAD+ with antioxidants such as glutathione and vitamin C, plus 50 types of peptides. It's designed to target the look of wrinkles (including smile lines, frown lines and under-eye lines) and sagging, and has an elastic, string-like texture that absorbs straight away for a subtle glow.

We go deeper on this one in our Numbuzin No.9 NAD+ Essence review.

Best for: mature skin, loss of firmness and the look of fine lines.

No.3 vs No.5 vs No.9: which should you choose?

These are the three serums people compare most often. A quick way to decide:

• Your skin looks dull or feels rough → No.3 Skin Softening Serum
• You want to brighten and even out tone → No.5+ Glutathione Vitamin Concentrated Serum
• You're focused on firmness and fine lines → No.9 NAD Bio Lifting-sil Essence

Can you mix Numbuzin numbers?

Yes. The numbers are a guide, not a rule. A popular combination is No.5 in the morning for brightness (followed by sunscreen) and No.3 or No.9 at night. As always, introduce one new product at a time so you can see how your skin responds, and layer from thinnest to thickest texture. If you're combining vitamin C with niacinamide, see our guide on using niacinamide and vitamin C together.

Browse the full range in our Numbuzin collection, or compare with other brands in our Korean serums collection.

Ready to compare? See every number in Numbuzin serums.

Prefer pads? See every number in our Numbuzin toner pads collection.

Numbuzin FAQ

What do the numbers on Numbuzin products mean?

Each number groups products around a skin goal. Based on the products in each line, No.1 focuses on calming basics, No.3 on smoothness and glow, No.4 on pores, No.5 on brightening, No.6 on hydration and No.9 on firming.

Is Numbuzin No.3 or No.5 better for dull skin?

Both can help dull-looking skin. Choose No.3 if your skin also feels rough or textured, and No.5 if your main concern is uneven tone or dark-looking marks.

Which Numbuzin is best for sensitive skin?

The No.1 line is the gentlest starting point, including the No.1 Pantothenic B5 Active Soothing Cream and the No.1 Clear Filter Sun Essence. Patch test any new product first.

Can I use Numbuzin No.9 with retinol?

The No.9 essence doesn't list retinol among its key ingredients, so many people use it alongside a retinoid. Introduce one product at a time and stop if you notice irritation.