No. 3 Pore & Makeup Cleansing Balm
Pore Deep-Clean Treatment Balm
Verified reviewer
Pros & cons.
- +Dual-function formula combines makeup removal with pore treatment in a single step
- +Green tea and charcoal particles provide gentle physical exfoliation without micro-tear risk
- +Triple clay blend absorbs excess oil during cleansing without leaving skin stripped or tight
- +Built-in spatula lid maintains hygiene without needing a separate applicator tool
- +Lasts 3-4 months at recommended 2-3x weekly use offering strong long-term value
- +Effective visible reduction in sebaceous filaments with consistent weekly use
- −Contains tea tree and rosemary essential oils unsuitable for sensitive or fragrance-reactive skin
- −Jar lid design with pop-open cap is slightly awkward in practice
- −Not appropriate for daily use despite being positioned as a cleanser
- −Contains beeswax despite some vegan claims on certain retailer listings
- −Requires more thorough rinsing than standard cleansing balms due to particle content
Ingredient analysis.
Full INCI list
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Triethylhexanoin, Synthetic Wax, Polysorbate 85, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Powder, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Charcoal Powder, Beeswax, Dipropylene Glycol, Chromium Oxide Greens, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Illite, Montmorillonite, Kaolin, 1,2-Hexanediol
Skin match.
The science.
The Science
This balm cleanses pores using three mechanisms: oil dissolution, physical adsorption, and gentle mechanical exfoliation.
The oil base (caprylic/capric triglyceride and ethylhexyl palmitate) dissolves sebum via the like-dissolves-like principle. Lipophilic oils break down the lipophilic sebum plugs that form blackheads and sebaceous filaments. This mechanism works in all oil-based first cleansers, but the extra treatment ingredients add utility beyond simple dissolution.
Marketing often overstates Charcoal powder's efficacy, but the science of adsorption is sound. Activated charcoal has a high surface-area-to-mass ratio — up to 3,000 square meters per gram — which binds oil and organic molecules on contact. A 2017 review in the Indian Dermatology Online Journal noted that charcoal's physical properties support its dermatological applications, though clinical evidence for acne or pore reduction remains limited. Contact time in a rinse-off product limits efficacy, but the adsorption effect during the 60-90 second massage period removes surface oil.
The triple clay system (kaolin, montmorillonite, and illite) uses different properties. Kaolin is the mildest and absorbs surface oils. Montmorillonite is a swelling clay that absorbs both oil and water for deeper cleansing. Illite is iron-rich and used in French clay treatments for oil absorption. While clinical studies on cosmetic clay are limited, a 2010 study in the International Journal of Pharmaceutics showed montmorillonite-based formulations have significant sebum absorption capacity.
Green tea leaf powder provides physical exfoliation and chemical benefits. Dermatological research shows green tea catechins — specifically EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) — have anti-sebum, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. A 2012 study in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology found topical EGCG reduced sebum production and improved acne in a clinical trial. Brief contact time in a rinse-off balm limits catechin absorption, but the powder particles provide physical exfoliation.
Tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) is a well-studied natural antimicrobial. A 2006 systematic review in Clinical Microbiology Reviews confirmed its broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against bacteria, fungi, and viruses. For acne, a 2007 study in the Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology found 5% tea tree oil gel has comparable efficacy to 5% benzoyl peroxide with fewer side effects. This balm's concentration is undisclosed but likely under 5%.
References
- Activated charcoal as a potential agent in dermatological practice — Indian Dermatology Online Journal (2017)
- Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate Improves Acne in Humans by Modulating Intracellular Molecular Targets and Inhibiting P. acnes — Journal of Investigative Dermatology (2012)
Dermatologist Perspective
Board-certified dermatologists would value this multi-mechanism approach to pore cleansing. Combining oil dissolution, clay adsorption, and gentle physical exfoliation addresses pore congestion from several angles. Dermatologists often recommend oil-based cleansers to remove sunscreen and makeup, and these extra pore-treating ingredients increase the cleansing step's value. However, dermatologists would note that tea tree and rosemary essential oils can irritate patients with contact dermatitis or rosacea, and they would likely suggest using this 2-3 times weekly instead of daily. The physical exfoliant particles may be contraindicated for patients with active inflammatory acne or compromised barriers.
Where it fits in your routine.
Scoop a cherry-sized amount with the built-in spatula and apply to dry skin. Massage in circular motions for 60-90 seconds, focusing on pore-congested areas like the nose, chin, and inner cheeks. Add a little lukewarm water and massage to emulsify. Rinse well, then use a water-based second cleanser. Use 2-3 times per week in the evening. Use a gentler oil cleanser or cleansing oil on other nights.
At about $22 for 85 grams, this balm has a competitive price in the K-beauty cleansing balm category. Using it 2-3x weekly lasts 3-4 months, making the monthly cost roughly $6-7. This balm replaces both a standard cleansing balm and a separate weekly clay mask treatment, increasing its value. For an emerging brand, the price reflects the practical ingredient list without luxury inflation.
Oily and combination skin types with blackheads, visible sebaceous filaments, and pore congestion. It works for anyone combining a first cleansing step with a pore treatment, or anyone who finds weekly clay masking tedious and wants an integrated approach.
Avoid this if you have sensitive, reactive, or rosacea-prone skin because it contains tea tree and rosemary essential oils. Look elsewhere if you have an essential oil sensitivity or want fragrance-free products. This cleanser also lacks benefits for very dry skin types who do not need the oil-absorbing effects of charcoal and clay.
Product details.
Solid, forest-green balm contains visible green tea and charcoal particles. It melts into a silky oil on warm skin and spreads easily across the face. The fine particles create a slight grit during massage that softens as the balm dissolves.
Essential oils create a distinct tea tree and herbal scent. It is noticeable during the 1-2 minute massage step but not overpowering. The scent dissipates quickly after rinsing.
An opaque jar uses a one-touch pop-open cap and a lid with an integrated spatula for hygienic scooping. This design aims for clean application, though the dual-lid system feels awkward. The translucent jar shows the green-tinted balm.
The balm feels solid at first but melts instantly when massaged between fingers. Green tea and charcoal particles create a subtle scrubbing sensation that intensifies as you massage the balm into skin. After 1-2 minutes of massage, add water to emulsify the balm into a milky liquid. Rinse and follow with a second cleanser. Skin feels deeply clean without tightness.
3-4 months with 2-3x weekly use
12 months
spring summer
The backstory.
Part of Numbuzin's No. 3 line dedicated to pore care. While the brand's No. 3 Super Glowing Essence Toner captured most of the TikTok attention, this cleansing balm quietly built a dedicated following among K-beauty enthusiasts tired of separate cleansing and masking steps. The green color comes from actual green tea and charcoal particles rather than artificial coloring.
About Numbuzin
Emerging Brand (2–5 years)Numbuzin launched in 2019 as a K-beauty brand under Benow. It gained popularity via Olive Young and social media. The formulations use well-studied ingredients, but the brand lacks independent clinical data and relies on consumer validation and viral buzz.
Common myths.
Charcoal in skincare pulls toxins and impurities from deep within pores.
Charcoal works by adsorption. Its porous surface attracts and binds oil and debris on contact, not through magnetic or deep-extraction mechanisms. In a cleansing balm, charcoal only interacts with the skin's surface layers and pore openings during the brief massage. It removes surface-level sebum but does not reach deep into the follicle.
Cleansing balms clog pores and cause breakouts.
When you emulsify and rinse cleansing balms properly (ideally with a second water-based cleanser), they remove more pore-clogging material than they deposit. This formula uses clays and charcoal to pull excess oil from pores. Thorough rinsing and double cleansing are key; leaving any cleansing balm on the skin causes congestion.
FAQ.
Is the Numbuzin cleansing balm fragrance-free?
No — some retailers list it as fragrance-free, but the formula contains tea tree leaf oil and rosemary leaf oil. These essential oils have noticeable herbal scents. While not synthetic fragrance, they can irritate fragrance-sensitive or allergy-prone skin. The scent dissipates after rinsing.
Does this cleansing balm actually remove blackheads?
Oil-based cleansing dissolves sebum, green tea and charcoal particles provide gentle physical exfoliation, and triple clay absorbs excess oil. This multi-mechanism approach loosens and removes sebaceous filaments and surface-level blackheads. Most users see visibly cleaner pores within 2 weeks using it 2-3x weekly.
Is this cleansing balm vegan?
No — the formula contains beeswax, an animal-derived ingredient. Some retailer listings incorrectly label it as vegan, but the INCI list confirms beeswax is present. If you want vegan formulations, check the complete ingredient list instead of front-of-package claims.
Do I still need a second cleanser after using this balm?
Yes — the balm cleanses more thoroughly than standard oil cleansers, but you still need a water-based second cleanser to remove all emulsified residue, specifically the clay and charcoal particles. A gentle foam or gel cleanser completes the double-cleanse process.
What the community says.
"Dissolves heavy makeup and waterproof sunscreen without irritation"
"Noticeably reduces sebaceous filaments on nose with regular use"
"Green tea and charcoal particles provide satisfying gentle exfoliation"
"Rinses clean without leaving oily residue on skin"
"Built-in spatula in lid keeps application hygienic"
"Tea tree scent is noticeable and may bother fragrance-sensitive users"
"Jar lid design with pop-open cap is awkward to use practically"
"Can be over-drying if used daily instead of recommended 2-3 times per week"
"Essential oils make this unsuitable for truly sensitive or reactive skin"
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