The numbuzin No.3 Super Glowing Essence Toner introduced me to the numbuzin brand. When I read Mia’s experience with the numbuzin No.3 Skin Softening Serum, I decided to get acquainted with the rest of the brand’s products. Someone’s got to try them all, right?

I chose to start with this essence toner because of its unique formulation. Never have I seen a product with 50(Fifty!) fermented extracts.

At a glance:

• Price and availability
• Brand
• Claims
• Ingredients
• Packaging
• Scent
• Texture
• My experience
• Pros
• Cons
• Verdict
• Shop

Where to buy numbuzin No.3 Super Glowing Essence Toner?

The toner is mostly sold for $20-$25, but on StyleVana you can easily get it for $13. If you’re lucky, there are hidden discounts for less.

The numbuzin Brand

Numbuzin is a “true skincare brand focusing on your skin concerns.” The brand’s philosophy is honesty, variety, and customer focus.

numbuzin starts from you

What are customers’ actual skin concerns?

We realized after long consideration. You, who must have been wandering among lots of cosmetics to resolve ever changing skin concerns. numbuzin was born to find clear skin answer with you. The answer lies within you.

We improve what customers don’t like, and we do more what customers like. We don’t make big promises, or provide beautiful packagaing. Instead, we stick to the basics.
You don’t need use your cosmetics only because it’s famous and expensive.
Even now, we are looking for good ingredients to resolve your skin concerns, improving ourselves to be a “True Cosmetic”. until we find all of your skin answers, our formula will be repeated.

numbuzin.shop

Awards

As a customer-focused brand, we tried our best to provide a one and only “number solution” for individual skin concerns.
As a result, in the 2021 Korea Youtuber’s Awards, where almost 3,000 brands participated, numbuzin was honored to win 1st place in the overall skincare category and was awarded in five different fields.

Ingredients

numbuzin states that in formulations, the more expensive an ingredient is, the more effective it is. To solve everyone’s skin concerns, numbuzin has developed individualized products. Numbuzin claims it spares no expense for ingredients to ensure high quality.

Marketing

Have you ever been fooled by fancy packaging? numbuzin says that their marketing is not marketing. They say they use difficult product names. (I mean other company make you solve math problems to read their names). Instead, numbuzin, focus only on finding the right solutions.

numbuzin No.3 Super Glowing Essence Toner claims

numbuzin No.3 Super Glowing Essence Toner refreshes and tones dull, tired skin . It prepares and moisturizes the skin, and has all the nourishing properties of the essence.

A complex of 50 fermented ingredients, probiotics moisturizes and nourishes the skin with vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants. The toner increases the elasticity of collagen fibrils and improves cell renewal, thereby reducing the manifestations of age-related changes.

numbuzin.shop

Who is this essence toner for?

The brand claims it is for those with overall skin concerns such as acne, textured skin, and lack of glow. I believe it best serves those with dry non-acne-prone skin. Keep reading to find out why.

numbuzin No.3 Super Glowing Essence Toner Ingredients

Ingredients Analysis

Ferments

Holy ferment. This is the first time I have seen such a formulation: 50 fermented ingredients. I think the conversation with the manufacturer went:

Manufacturer: How many fermented plant extracts do you want in this toner?

numbuzin: Yes

Joke aside, such a super cocktail of prebiotics and probiotics is a complete delight and excellent nutrition for our skin microbiome.

Dr. Shereene Idriss, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist, founder of Idriss Dermatology, and creator of the PillowtalkDerm skincare brand, says fermented ingredients are good for your skin, because of three main reasons. Fermentation:

1. “increases the potency of the active ingredient by utilizing the yeast, and through the fermentation process, that yeast secretes enzymes which make the active ingredient much more potent.”
2. “enhances penetration of the active ingredient because, through fermentation, the ingredient gets broken down into smaller sizes. The smaller the size of the active ingredient, the better it can penetrate deep into your skin.”
3. “increases the preservation of the active ingredient, because through fermentation a metabolite is created that prevents the growth of unwanted bacteria, therefore preserving the life of your product over time and making it safer for you to use.”

The previous formulation used to be called “No. 3 Dewy Radiance Essence Toner”. The new formulation is basically the same, except for the Schizosaccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, which was replaced with Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate. Potato-potato, I know.

Just kidding, they are different ingredients.

Niacinamide

Niacinamide has been making a splash in the Western market over the last few years and has been splashing in Asian skincare for decades. This beauty powerhouse is the topical form of vitamin B3.

Several well-documented studies show that when used topically, niacinamide can:

• Strengthens the skin barrier by increasing ceramides and lipids and decreasing transepidermal water loss (TEWL);
• Improves the surface structure and smoothes out wrinkles;
• Boost hydration;
• Controls sebum production;
• Reduces acne;
• Calms redness and evens out red blotchiness;
• Improves skin texture;
• Lessens hyperpigmentation;
• Brightens sallowness of the skin;

Long story short, niacinamide does everything, and the good news is that it is well-tolerated by most skin types. Read the Complete Guide on Niacinamide.

Glycerin

Glycerin is a very effective humectant, used in many moisturizers to increase skin hydration. It occurs naturally in your skin as part of its home-grown moisturizing system, the natural moisturizing factor (NMF).

Like other humectants, it works by sitting in the top layers of your skin and attracting water from the air and the deeper layers, leaving your skin surface plump and hydrated, even when the weather is arid. Glycerin also keeps the skin’s lipids flexible, which means your skin is more supple and able to function appropriately without cracking.

numbuzin No.3 Toner does not contain

Alcohol

Packaging

The toner came in a beautiful package. The package hardly had a word in English; all product information is in Korean.

The toner comes in a 6.76 fl. oz / 200 ml plastic bottle. The bottle is translucent, with a standard dispenser for toners. 

Scent

numbuzin no 3 toner has quite a strong perfumey scent. The herbal smell reminded me immediately of the Japanese Utena Royal Jelly masks I used in the past. I don’t mind it, but I know some people do.

My husband says it smells like a grandma’s house 🙂

Texture

In texture, it is similar to Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner or Purito Centella Green Level Calming Toner – a little thicker than water and slightly viscous, like syrup. It’s somewhere in between. It does feel more like an essence than a toner because it is thicker than your average watery toner.

numbuzin no 3 toner absorbs quickly without stickiness.

My personal experience with numbuzin No.3 Super Glowing Essence Toner

Holy ferment! My skin absolutely loves it.

I’ve been using it for nearly one month, and numbuzin No.3 Super Glowing Essence Toner gives me radiant healthy skin and hydration without stickiness and heaviness on the face. I was surprised the first time I used it and how hydrating it was.

It also makes my skin glowy, which is what it claims. Using it consistently makes my skin softer, bouncier, and refreshed. You could say there is a “honey skin” effect. It also works nicely under makeup. I can do 3-4 layers without getting sticky, leaving my skin feeling soft and dewy. I don’t find it necessary to pair it up with the serum, but they work together harmoniously.

I didn’t notice any dramatic difference in my overall skin tone, but I think it helps fade any PIH faster.

The only negative I can find is its scent. If it were not there, the toner would have received a 5/5 rating so I will give it 4.5/5. I will also add that I was not paid for this review or received it as a gift.

How to use numbuzin No.3 Super Glowing Essence Toner?

1. Cleanse;
2. Apply the no 3 toner with your hands or with a cotton pad;
3. I feel like I need quite a bit of it to spread evenly around my face and neck and cleavage;
4. Gently tap the toner into the skin for better absorption;
5. Continue with the treatment step: my serums and ampoules;
6. Moisturize;
7. Don’t forget SPF in the AM.

When do you apply

You may wonder where 50 (Fifty!) fermented extracts fit into your routine. I have normal to dry skin, and non-acne-prone skin, so my skin drinks it up in the AM and the PM. I usually do 2-3 layers as my toner/essence step.

The toner is so rich that I think one layer should suffice for normal-combo skin types.

Oily peeps should only use it at night. For them, this toner can replace the stages of toner, essence, ampoule, and serum.

Proceed with caution

I enjoy it, but YMMV depending on whether or not your skin can handle fermented ingredients. I believe it’s only good if you have dry non-acne-prone skin.

Acne-prone skin

My husband has oily but dehydrated acne-prone skin. It broke him out on the 3rd day. It gave him small pimples all over his face. But he had a really nice glow 🙂

Because it was so hyped up (and pushed by me), he kept trying it for a week, but it irritated his skin so much that he eventually stopped using it.

If you have fungal acne, this could break you out. You should err on the side of caution. It depends on which ferment was used.

Fermented skincare means that microorganisms have been added. Ferments are a true testament to the YMMV statement. They can be your holy grail or your kryptonite. There is evidence of significant reduction of acne since introducing ferments! At the same time, adding yeast to the skin should be avoided if you have fungal acne.

If you wish to try ferments, I recommend starting with Holika Holika Good Cera Super Ceramide Mist or the Numbuzin No.3 Skin Softening Serum as a beginner’s option.  It’s a trial-and-error game.

Damaged skin barrier

Suppose you have very sensitive skin or a damaged skin barrier, then you should patch test first. My aunt, who had a damaged skin barrier from using too strong retinoids, introduced it into her routine. It was a disaster. She thought she was allergic to it. It stung so badly. She had to wash it off!

It also has Sodium Hyaluronate, so if you’re avoiding that, this may not be for you.

Pros

• 50 ferments
• super hydrating
• glowy skin
• fades PIH
• excellent price

Cons

• strong scent
• not fungal acne safe

Overall

numbuzin No.3 Super Glowing Essence Toner has become my go-to product for fermented extracts. Ferment-wise, other skincare products pale in comparison to this.

My skin absolutely loves it. From its thicker texture to the glow and hydration it provides.

Will I repurchase the numbuzin No.3 Super Glowing Essence Toner?

I already have! At the moment, I also have an entire numbuzin haul on its way. Just stay tuned for a huge numbuzin review.

Rating 4.5/5

Shop for numbuzin No.3 Super Glowing Essence Toner

Up Next

Numbuzin No.3 Skin Softening Serum – The Pore Hero

As always, you do you, be kind to your skin and yourself! Remember that every person’s skin and skin type is different, so what might work for me might not work for you, and vice versa. So before adding a new product to your skincare routine, it pays to do a little research first.

Pay special attention to ingredients that you might react to. Doing a patch test is always a good idea. Unsure? Best to consult your dermatologist.

Happy skin experimenting, and don’t forget the sunscreen!

Show Me Proof

• Al-Ghazzewi, F. H., and R. F. Tester. “Impact of prebiotics and probiotics on skin health.” Beneficial microbes 5, no. 2 (2014): 99-107.
• Maguire, Mia, and Greg Maguire. “The role of microbiota, and probiotics and prebiotics in skin health.” Archives of Dermatological Research 309, no. 6 (2017): 411-421.
• Tanno, O., Y. Ota, N. Kitamura, T. Katsube, and S. Inoue. “Nicotinamide increases biosynthesis of ceramides as well as other stratum corneum lipids to improve the epidermal permeability barrier.” British Journal of Dermatology 143, no. 3 (2000): 524-531.
• Snaidr, Victoria A., Diona L. Damian, and Gary M. Halliday. “Nicotinamide for photoprotection and skin cancer chemoprevention: A review of efficacy and safety.” Experimental dermatology 28 (2019): 15-22.
• Gehring, W. “Nicotinic acid/niacinamide and the skin.” Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 3, no. 2 (2004): 88-93.
• Soma, Yoshinao, Masato Kashima, Akiko Imaizumi, Hideto Takahama, Tamihiro Kawakami, and Masako Mizoguchi. “Moisturizing effects of topical nicotinamide on atopic dry skin.” International journal of dermatology 44, no. 3 (2005): 197-202.
• Draelos, Zoe Diana, Akira Matsubara, and Kenneth Smiles. “The effect of 2% niacinamide on facial sebum production.” Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy 8, no. 2 (2006): 96-101.
• Shahmoradi, Zabiolah, Farib Iraji, Amir Hossein Siadat, and Azamosadat Ghorbaini. “Comparison of topical 5% nicotinamid gel versus 2% clindamycin gel in the treatment of the mild-moderate acne vulgaris: A double-blinded randomized clinical trial.” Journal of Research in Medical Sciences: The Official Journal of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences 18, no. 2 (2013): 115.
• Ungerstedt, J. S., M. Blombäck, and T. Söderström. “Nicotinamide is a potent inhibitor of proinflammatory cytokines.” Clinical & Experimental Immunology 131, no. 1 (2003): 48-52.
• Bissett, D. L., K. Miyamoto, P. Sun, J. Li, and C. A. Berge. “Topical niacinamide reduces yellowing, wrinkling, red blotchiness, and hyperpigmented spots in aging facial skin 1.” International journal of cosmetic science 26, no. 5 (2004): 231-238.
• Chularojanamontri L, Tuchinda P, Kulthanan K, Pongparit K. Moisturizers for Acne: What are their Constituents? J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2014 May;7(5):36-44. PMID: 24847408; PMCID: PMC4025519.
• Björklund S, Engblom J, Thuresson K, Sparr E. Glycerol and urea can be used to increase skin permeability in reduced hydration conditions. Eur J Pharm Sci. 2013 Dec 18;50(5):638-45. doi: 10.1016/j.ejps.2013.04.022. Epub 2013 May 3. PMID: 23643739.