The £20 K Beauty Serum Giving Other Brightening Products a Run for Their Money
Main image – courtesy of writer
For noticeably brighter skin, most consumers turn to commonly known ingredients like vitamin C or glycolic acid. But have you heard of glutathione? It’s a powerful brightener and the internet’s favourite new viral ingredient.
A powerful antioxidant made up of three amino acids, glutathione has been touted as a solution for everything from environmental damage to increasing elasticity, and brightening hyperpigmentation – three things my acne-prone skin is crying out for.
And one glutathione-containing product TikTok is currently going crazy for is No.5+ Glutathione Vitamin Concentrated Serum (£20 from Boots UK /$26 from Numbuzin US) from Numbuzin, the K-beauty brand that famously uses numbers to demystify products.
Their No.5+ serum promises to brighten and even up the skin (although some people question how effective topical glutathione really is and whether it’s just the overall formula that’s working, rather than one single ingredient). Either way, my oily skin and I wanted to put it to the test to see what all the fuss was about, particularly because it’s relatively affordable for a brightening product.
Image – Courtesy of writer
Because while ingredients like niacinamide have worked well for me before, I’ve experienced some unpleasant stinging from vitamin C in the past meaning I’ve always been on the fence when it comes to brightening products. But maybe – just maybe – the Numbuzin No. 5+ could be ‘the one’.
Keep scrolling to find out how I got on.
The product details
Sitting within Numbuzin’s numbered system, the No. 5+ promises to be lightweight so that it can be layered easily within your skincare routine. It focuses on brightening and tone correction thanks to its key ingredient, glutathione, an antioxidant that’s made up of three amino acids.
Usually, glutathione is formulated with other ingredients to make it even more powerful in the brightening department. Here, it is combined with niacinamide, vitamin C and tranexamic acid to help fade hyperpigmentation and dark spots, as well as even out dull, uneven skin.
How I tested Numbuzin Glutathione Serum
I have been using the serum both morning and evening for two weeks now.
I wouldn’t usually use something new on my skin twice a day, but I am currently not using any other actives so hoped it wouldn’t be a problem. I apply it straight after cleansing my skin and before my moisturiser.
First impressions
This serum has no fragrance which for some would be a big plus, but I personally love my skincare to have a fresh, clean smell. This serum has a very clinical, bland scent to it, but each to their own. It wouldn’t affect the look of my skin so I’ll let it pass!
As for the packaging, it reminds me of The Ordinary or The Inkey List – slightly boring but inoffensive all the same.
When first squeezing the serum onto my fingertips, I noted that it was runnier than a lot of the other serums I use. This felt encouraging as the thicker ones can sometimes be too heavy for my oily skin.
Image – Courtesy of writer
As soon as I massaged it around my skin it felt great – hydrating, lightweight and ever so slightly cooling. It absorbs almost instantly but leaves a lovely glow – I may have oily skin but I’m not a fan of my skincare instantly turning matte. I mean, don’t we all want some version of a glow, whatever our skin type?
My results
The morning after my first application I woke up with the same glow I’d witnessed the night before. It disappeared slightly when I did my morning cleanse but my skin felt sturdy, hydrated and not in any way tight. This is still the theme just two weeks later – I truly love how my skin looks since I started using this serum and can’t believe it has taken very little time to see such great results.
I haven’t had any breakouts since using it either. This could be down to where I am in my hormonal cycle but I often have one or two spots whatever day it is (sob!) and I seem to have had rather clear skin for a few weeks now – surely this cannot be a coincidence?
Image – Courtesy of writer
The brightness of my skin has been the most noticeable thing though. Makeup has been easier to apply, and the serum seems to be bringing out the best in my finishing products (highlighter, blusher etc). Overall my skin definitely does look more even and what I truly love is that there is zero grease. My skin feels beautifully balanced.
Another thing to note is that I didn’t experience the usual stinging sensation I feel under my eyes sometimes when I apply vitamin C. It’s comfortable to apply and continues to be comfortable to wear. Overall I am very pleased with the No. 5+ and, apart from its scent, I can’t think of one bad thing to say about it.
What other users are saying:
The reviews on Reddit are mostly positive. “My skin looks brighter and even more toned,” writes feelington. “Those annoying fark spots from old acne scars are finally fading. I also love that it doesn’t feel sticky or heavy on my skin.”
While bKnightA_meow says, “It’s lightweight, absorbs easily and evened out my skin tone and when I get new pimples it fades the marks so quickly! Absolute game changer for me.”
Some users haven’t seen much of a difference when it comes to dark spots/scars but still rate it for other things. “I have repurchased this about 3 times. I like it but my experience was that it’s only great for fresh acne, do that you don’t get a scar,” writes chelleml. “In terms of old acne scars and sun spots, it didn’t do much.”
Overall value for money
I am actually blown away by how reasonably priced this serum is, given that the results have been so positive for me. I will definitely be purchasing it again when I’ve run out.
Other decent brightening serums can start from around £40/$40, including my beloved La Roche Posay Hyalu B5 serum which I never thought could be rivalled – until now!
The takeaway
So is it the glutathione effect? Or is it the overall formula that makes this serum such a winner for me? I may never know!
Although it is worth noting that I have never used glutathione before so perhaps it is the ingredient to keep an eye on. The serum is gentle, affordable and gives all-round impressive results. I’m sold.
Get Glowing!
