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No.5 Vitamin Concentrated Serum vs 20% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum: which is better?

One leans toward gentler dark-spot care; the other toward faster brightening with a more reactive finish.

The quick answer

Depends what you need

  • Rated about the same — 84 vs 85 nextscore
  • Better for hyperpigmentation: 20% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum
  • More reviewed: 20% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum — 199 vs 63 verdicts

numbuzin No.5 suits gentler dark-spot care, while Timeless suits faster brightening and a lighter texture; both draw some irritation complaints.

Choose No.5 Vitamin Concentrated Serum if

  • you want a gentler dark-spot serum
  • you can wait for gradual results

Choose 20% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum if

  • you want faster brightening
  • your skin tolerates stronger vitamin C

At a glance

No.5 Vitamin Concentrated Serum20% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum
$0.57/ml$0.84/ml
84 · 63 verdicts85 · 199 verdicts
—Hyperpigmentation
Niacinamide, Vitamin C both, Tranexamic AcidVitamin C both

What Reddit says

No.5 Vitamin Concentrated Serum

What Reddit likes

  • Tranexamic acid + niacinamide for dark spots
  • Gentler than a lot of vitamin C serums
  • Vitamin C derivatives, arbutin, glutathione

Watch out for

  • Results are slow unless you stick with it for months
  • Can break out acne-prone or niacinamide-sensitive skin
  • Heavy enough to feel greasy in summer
See the Reddit threads on No.5 Vitamin Concentrated Serum

20% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum

What Reddit likes

  • Close CE Ferulic dupe
  • Watery, fast-absorbing texture
  • Brightens dull skin and spots

Watch out for

  • Can sting or burn on sensitive skin
  • Breakouts and clogged pores happen
  • The smell is rotten-hot-dog territory
See the Reddit threads on 20% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum
Compare full ingredient lists · 3 in common

In both · 3

  1. Water
  2. Panthenol
  3. Sodium Hyaluronate

Only in No.5 Vitamin Concentrated Serum · 44

  1. Butylene Glycol
  2. Niacinamide
  3. Tranexamic Acid
  4. 1,2-Hexanediol
  5. Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprate
  6. Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
  7. Sorbitol
  8. Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Extract
  9. Behenyl Alcohol
  10. Pentylene Glycol
  11. Glycerin
  12. Chondrus Crispus Extract
  13. Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter
  14. 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
  15. Saccharum Officinarum (Sugarcane) Extract
  16. Carbomer
  17. Alpha-Arbutin
  18. Bisabolol
  19. Tromethamine
  20. Ethylhexylglycerin
  21. Bifida Ferment Lysate
  22. Adenosine
  23. Hydrogenated Lecithin
  24. Allantoin
  25. Xanthan Gum
  26. Glutathione
  27. Disodium EDTA
  28. Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
  29. Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
  30. Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
  31. Ceramide NP
  32. Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract
  33. Corallina Officinalis Extract
  34. Beta-Glucan
  35. Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
  36. Tocopherol
  37. Ascorbic Acid
  38. Ascorbyl Glucoside
  39. Tocopheryl Acetate
  40. Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
  41. Ubiquinone
  42. Thioctic Acid
  43. Tremella Fuciformis (Mushroom) Extract
  44. Potassium Hydroxide

Only in 20% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum · 8

  1. Ethoxydiglycol
  2. L-Ascorbic Acid
  3. Propylene Glycol
  4. Alpha Tocopherol
  5. Polysorbate 80
  6. Ferulic Acid
  7. Benzylalcohol
  8. Dehydroacetic Acid

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