As someone in my mid-20s, I’ve been on the hunt for serums that can calm my skin but also give me a little something extra. Since K-beauty brands aren’t always the easiest to find here, I was especially excited to try both Dr.G and Numbuzin side by side.

1. Dr.G Bakuchiol Pore-Jet Serum

This comes in a sleek 30 ml pump bottle, with a clean and lightweight design that feels practical. The texture is gel like. It's soft, not runny, and it spreads easily before sinking into the skin. It’s virtually scentless and gentle from the start, with no stinging or heaviness.

Ingredient wise, it’s built around bakuchiol, a plant based retinol alternative that targets fine lines, pigmentation, and breakouts without the harsh side effects of traditional retinoids. It also has cica derivatives, panthenol, and ceramide NP for barrier support, plus niacinamide for brightening and smoothing.

On my skin, it feels lightweight yet hydrating. It layers well, leaves me moisturized, and balances sensitivity without irritation. The only drawback is that pore-tightening results are pretty subtle, so if you’re expecting dramatic changes overnight, this isn’t that.

2. Numbuzin No.1 Pantothenic B5 Active Soothing Serum

This one comes in a bigger, minimalistic pump bottle (around 50 ml). The texture is watery and refreshing, with zero tackiness. It applies like a splash of hydration and instantly feels calming. Fragrance is minimal, which makes it friendly for sensitive or breakout-prone skin.

The key players are panthenol (B5) for barrier support, niacinamide for balancing oil and brightening, and herbal extracts for extra soothing. On my skin, it’s great for calming flare-ups and keeping oil under control, while still giving me that lightweight daily hydration. The flip side is that it doesn’t deliver strong anti aging effects, it’s more about comfort and stability than dramatic results.

3. Side by Side Thoughts

The Dr.G serum feels slightly richer with its gel-like consistency, making it great for nights when I want to support my barrier and get some anti-aging benefits. It brightens and balances while staying gentle, almost like a retinol lite option.

Numbuzin, on the other hand, is the easy daily pick. It’s watery, light, and calming, especially when my skin is irritated, red, or breaking out. It won’t do much for fine lines, but it keeps my skin feeling soothed and hydrated without any heaviness.

Final Verdict

Both are worth keeping around, but I reach for them differently.

Dr.G Bakuchiol Pore Jet → best for barrier repair, texture improvement, and early antiaging.

Numbuzin No.1 B5 → best for calming breakouts, reducing oil, and everyday hydration.

If fine lines and skin texture are your focus, Dr.G makes more sense. If your main struggles are acne, oiliness, or sensitivity, Numbuzin No.1 is the savior you’ll want on hand. And since K-beauty isn’t always the easiest to get hold of here, I’m glad I managed to stock up on both because each one fills a different role in my routine.