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No.5 Glutathione TXA Advanced Dark Spot Ampoule Concentrate

HyperpigmentationSerum

No.5 Glutathione TXA Advanced Dark Spot Ampoule Concentrate — Reddit Reviews

by numbuzin

81nextscore19 verdicts

Updated October 17, 2026

Tranexamic acid brightening serum for PIH; quick wins, inconsistent fading.

What the community says

Backed by 70 studies

Redditors reach for this multi-active serum when post-inflammatory marks are the target, with some reporting visible fading within one to two weeks. Others saw only lingering shadows or no improvement, so expectations should stay firmly YMMV.

From Reddit

Backed by 19 threads from r/AsianBeauty, r/koreanskincare and 4 more.

Read the threads ↓

What people love

  • TXA-led glutathione brightening cocktail
  • Some users report PIH fading within one to two weeks
  • Vitamin C-serum alternative for people who do not tolerate vitamin C

Watch out for

  • Some users see only partial fading, with shadowy spots remaining
  • Does nothing for some spots and freckles
  • Cannot outpace acne that keeps creating new dark spots

Product details

Where to buy

What the science says vs. what Reddit says

  • Hyperpigmentation

    Some evidence

    Tranexamic Acid: 9 studies tested it on its own. See all 19 studies

    On Reddit: Acne-mark PIH gets specific mentions, with users saying it made a difference on lingering discoloration. 14 mentions

    Both ingredients for hyperpigmentation

    Tranexamic Acid Some evidence

    • Most studies found it helped fade dark patches, especially in melasma
    • It often worked about as well as other common dark-spot treatments
    • Using it with other treatments often faded patches more than the other treatment alone
    • Some studies found injected tranexamic acid, microneedling, or oral use worked better than other ways of using it
    • The most common side effects were stomach upset, skin irritation, and menstrual changes

    Niacinamide Some evidence

    4 studies tested it on its own. See all 17 studies

    • All 4 studies that tested it on its own found it helped fade dark spots
    • It reduced facial dark spots better than a moisturizer without niacinamide
    • Some studies found skin looked lighter as dark spots faded
    • When used with salicylic acid, it improved dark patches more than salicylic acid alone
  • Acne

    Some evidence

    Niacinamide: 6 studies tested it on its own. See all 17 studies

    What the studies found
    • Most studies found niacinamide helped acne
    • It often cleared acne about as well as clindamycin when put on the skin
    • Some studies found it helped reduce red, sore spots and pimples
    • Some evidence is still uncertain because some studies found no clear difference
  • Anti-Aging

    Some evidence

    Niacinamide: 2 studies tested it on its own. See all 8 studies

    What the studies found
    • Both studies that tested it on its own found it helped with signs of aging
    • It improved how firm and elastic the skin looked
    • It reduced wrinkles and uneven tone, including spots, redness, and yellowing
    • It helped the skin hold more water and reduced water loss through the skin
  • Skin Barrier

    Not proven yet

    Few or mixed studies. This claim isn't established.

    Niacinamide: 1 study tested it on its own. See all 17 studies

    What the studies found
    • The one study that tested it on its own found it helped the skin barrier
    • It lowered water loss through the skin
    • It increased the thickness of the outer skin layer

Research context, not treatment advice. Studies are about the ingredient, not necessarily this exact product.

Real Reddit threads — 25 mentions across 19 threads

numbuzin No.5 Glutathione TXA Advanced Dark Spot Ampoule Concentrate on Reddit, in one place — 19 threads from r/AsianBeauty, r/koreanskincare and 4 more, summarized.

“- Numbuzin no. 5”

Positive

“Numbuzin no. 5 and Skin1004 brightening ampoule: These are both gentle alternatives to a vitamin C Serum.”

Positive

“I don't tolerate vitamin C well, but I love these.”

Positive

“I have faint acne hyperpigmentation left which is fading by numbuzin no 5 serum and toner pad.”

Positive

“numbuzin no 5 serum and toner pad”

Positive

“I just want to know in how many days did you notices the difference in brightening with medicube?”

Positive

“Serum: I rotate the following as needed - Numbuzin no. 5”

Positive

“Current maintenance routine”

Positive

“Serum: I rotate the following as needed”

Positive

“Numbuzin dark spot serum and sheet mask did nothing for me”

Cautionary

“did nothing for me”

Cautionary

“Numbuzin dark spot serum”

Cautionary

“I use the Numbuzin glutathione toner pads along with their serum, and it ended up being more effective in brightening my skin than without it!”

Positive

“I prefer toner pads to toner, mostly because they're easy for me to use.”

Positive

“I use the Numbuzin glutathione toner pads along with their serum”

Positive

“i have dark spots from acne that i had ,ngl i seen some result with numbuzin no5 but still i can see some shadowy left”

Positive

“ngl i seen some result with numbuzin no5”

Positive

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