Introduction
Numbuzin might not yet have the global fanfare of the K-beauty giants but it has built a loyal following for formulas that punch above their price tag. The Seoul-based label calls each launch a “number” and this third entry promises to tidy pores while erasing makeup in a single, spa-like swirl.
The name “Pore & Makeup Cleansing Balm” is hardly poetic yet it leaves zero doubt about its mission, and the brand talks it up as a triple-tasker that cleanses, moisturises and moonlights as a quick mask thanks to Korean green tea and Damyang charcoal. After two full weeks of nightly use I have a clear idea of how much of that marketing bravado holds water and whether this balm deserves a spot in your bathroom lineup.
What is Pore & Makeup Cleansing Balm ?
At its core this is a cleansing balm formulated to melt away sunscreen, foundation and the day’s grime while doubling as a brief wash-off mask. Wash-off masks are products you leave on for a couple of minutes before rinsing; the contact time lets active powders and oils get to work without staying on the skin long enough to risk irritation. They sit between a regular cleanser and a traditional clay mask so they are popular with people who want pore care but dislike the tight, dry feeling that can follow a full clay session.
Numbuzin’s take leans on three headline ingredients: Korean green tea in powder, water and seed oil forms for antioxidant support; charcoal sourced from Damyang for adsorbing excess sebum; and French green clay minerals to give the formula its pore-clearing backbone. The balm is oil based which helps it bind to makeup before you emulsify with water and rinse. The brand pitches it as a one-step evening cleanse although you can also keep a thin layer on for a couple of extra minutes to let the powders act more like a traditional mask.
Because it belongs to the wash-off mask category it is not meant to be left on overnight. A moderate amount, massaged onto dry skin then rinsed, is all that is needed for daily use. The promise is simpler routines for combination or oily skin types that want the slip of an oil cleanser and the pore tidying benefits of a clay treatment in the same product.
Did it work?
In the name of rigorous skincare science I benched my usual wash-off mask for the first few days, which made me feel like a lab-coat-free dermatologist. Fourteen days seemed a fair window to see if a balm could juggle makeup removal and pore care without outside help.
Night one set a promising tone. I scooped out a grape-sized dollop, massaged it over SPF and foundation then added water to turn it milky. Mascara melted without tugging and my cotton pad stayed clean after a follow-up swipe of toner, a small victory. Skin felt cushioned rather than squeaky and there was a faint green tea scent that vanished once rinsed.
By day four I started using it as the brand suggests: letting a thin layer sit for two to three minutes while I brushed my teeth. The charcoal and clay gave a gentle vacuum effect on the T-zone; my nose looked a touch smoother and midday shine dialed back. Importantly nothing felt tight, a common gripe with traditional clay masks.
Midway through the test my combination skin was in its usual hormonal swing so I paid close attention to blackheads on my chin. The balm loosened some of those stubborn plugs but did not fully evict them. I still reached for extraction tools once a week. On the upside no new breakouts appeared and the formula rinsed easily even with lukewarm water.
By day ten the novelty had worn off and its limits showed. While it remained a reliable first cleanse, deeper congestion around my cheeks crept back the moment I skipped a second water-based cleanser. The promised triple tasker status felt optimistic; it excels at dissolving makeup yet offers only light pore maintenance compared to a dedicated mud mask.
Wrapping up the fortnight my skin was calm, moderately clearer and free of dry patches. So yes, it worked but only up to a point. I see myself keeping it for heavy makeup days or travel when I crave speed yet I will not retire my usual actives or masks for it. Still, any product that tidies pores without stripping deserves a polite nod of respect.
Pore & Makeup Cleansing Balm’s main ingredients explained
The ingredient list reads like a mini world tour of pore purgers. First up is the trio of carrier oils that create the balmy slip: caprylic/capric triglyceride, ethylhexyl palmitate and triethylhexanoin. They dissolve sunscreen and long wear pigments within seconds though it is worth noting that ethylhexyl palmitate carries a fairly high comedogenic rating. In plain English that means it can clog pores for some skins prone to congestion so patch-testing is wise if you break out easily.
Green tea appears in powder, seed oil and water form which sounds redundant until you remember that different fractions carry different benefits. The powder provides gentle physical refinement while the oil brings nourishing fatty acids. Both supply polyphenols that can calm free radical stress after a day in the sun. Partnering them is Damyang charcoal powder, a porous carbon that adsorbs excess sebum like a microscopic sponge, plus French green clay minerals (illite, montmorillonite and kaolin) that help tighten the look of stretched pores without the desert-dry feeling of a full clay mask.
The supporting cast includes tea tree and rosemary leaf oils that add a subtle herbaceous scent alongside mild antimicrobial action. If you are pregnant or nursing run any essential oil-laced product by your healthcare provider first as topical safety data can be limited and individual sensitivities vary. The balm skips harsh surfactants and relies on sorbeth-30 tetraoleate and polysorbate 85 to emulsify on contact with water so you do not need a muslin cloth to remove it cleanly.
One quick note on lifestyle ethics: the formula contains beeswax so it is vegetarian friendly but not vegan. Otherwise there are no obvious red flags like mineral oil or drying alcohols. The mineral pigment chromium oxide green gives the balm its muted hue and is generally considered inert on skin.
Overall the ingredient deck balances cleansing oils with antioxidant plant matter and a dash of clay science. Oily and combination complexions will enjoy the sebum control while drier types should follow with a hydrating cleanser to stay comfortable. If you are extremely acne prone keep the comedogenic potential of ethylhexyl palmitate in mind and as with all multi-tasking formulas consistency, not heroic one-offs, will dictate your long term results.
What I liked/didn’t like
A quick rundown of where this balm shines and where it could use backup.
What works well:
- Melts sunscreen and long wear makeup fast so the first cleanse feels effortless
- Leaves skin cushioned, not tight, thanks to the oil and clay balance
- Green tea and charcoal give a mild pore smoothing effect that keeps midday shine in check
What to consider:
- Does not fully dislodge deep blackheads so a separate mask or extractor may still be needed
- Ethylhexyl palmitate plus essential oils may not suit very acne prone or reactive skin
- On heavy congestion days a follow up water based cleanser can still feel necessary
My final thoughts
After two weeks the verdict lands at a respectable 7/10. Numbuzin No.3 Pore & Makeup Cleansing Balm is a nimble multitasker that wins at melting makeup and keeping combination skin comfortable, yet it stops short of the deep pore overhaul its marketing quietly hints at. I have rotated through more wash-off masks than I care to admit so I feel confident giving this balm a fair shake: it is dependable, pleasant to use and a real time saver on nights when double cleansing feels like homework. If your main goal is quick makeup removal with a side of gentle pore upkeep you will likely enjoy it. Those chasing stubborn blackhead eviction or a full detox effect may want to keep a more intensive mask on standby. I would recommend it to a friend with balanced to oily skin who values convenience, though I would advise pairing it with a water cleanser when congestion is running high.
Looking for alternatives? The Pink Clay Glow Mask by Deascal remains my benchmark one-and-done option. It exfoliates brightens and decongests in one five-minute sitting at a wallet-friendly price. Fans of traditional clay textures could explore Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask by Innisfree which tightens the T-zone without over drying. For a plant-based spa vibe Instant Detox Mask by Caudalie does a commendable job of drawing out oil while leaving the complexion luminous. Finally Flavanone Mud by NIOD offers a slightly geekier take with layered actives that continue working long after rinsing, ideal for seasoned users who want more than surface cleanup. I have used each of these enough times to vouch for their strengths and limitations so feel free to match them to your skin mood.
Before you dive in a quick reality check. Even the best wash-off mask relies on consistent use to maintain results and none of them can permanently shrink pores. Always patch test new formulas on a discreet area first (sorry for sounding like an over-protective parent) and remember that what thrills one complexion can irk another. Happy cleansing and may your sink stay splash free.