Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0 vs numbuzin No.5 Pads: which should you buy?
An acid-forward pore pad against a niacinamide brightening pad: same format, different job.
numbuzin numbuzin No.5 Exfoliating Pads with Vitamin C, Niacinamide
4.5(3,881) £14.29£20.00-29% Check price on Amazon →The short answer
if congestion and oil are the problem and your skin already handles acids and alcohol.
if uneven tone and dark spots are the goal and you want niacinamide doing most of the work.
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Side by side
| Zero Pore Pad 2.0 | numbuzin No.5 Exfoliating Pads | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £15.30£16.90-9% See on Amazon → | £14.29£20.00-29% See on Amazon → |
| Rating | ★★★★★ 4.6 | ★★★★★ 4.5 |
| Review count | 32,676 | 3,881 |
| Amazon best-seller rank | #1 in Face Astringents & Toners | #50 in Face Astringents & Toners |
| Amazon purchases | 50K+ bought | 300+ bought |
| Key active | - | niacinamide |
| Format | toner pads | toner pads |
| Size | 70 Pads | - |
| Routine step | tone | tone |
| Best for | congestion | - |
| Sensitive-skin friendly | Contains actives, patch test | Contains actives, patch test |
| Highlights |
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Our verdict
Both are textured toner pads, but they are built for different complaints. Medicube’s Zero Pore Pad 2.0 is acid-forward: lactic acid sits 4th of 47, alcohol denat 5th and salicylic acid 9th, with panthenol 7th to soften it, and the list also carries citrus and other essential oils. It is a strong pad for oily, congested skin. numbuzin’s No.5 pads lead with niacinamide, 2nd of 44, with vitamin C and glutathione lower down and their exfoliating acids further back, so they are aimed at uneven tone and dark spots with a milder sweep. Medicube has the far larger review base, 32,676 against 3,881, and rates a tenth higher at 4.6; it is also slightly cheaper. Neither is flagged as gentle for reactive skin. Pick Medicube for congestion if your skin handles acids and alcohol, numbuzin for tone.
Which one is for you?
- Choose the Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0 if congestion and oil are the problem and your skin already handles acids and alcohol. Read our full look at the Zero Pore Pad 2.0 →
- Choose the numbuzin No.5 pads if uneven tone and dark spots are the goal and you want niacinamide doing most of the work. See the numbuzin No.5 Exfoliating Pads on Amazon →
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the Zero Pore Pad 2.0 and the numbuzin No.5 Exfoliating Pads?
An acid-forward pore pad against a niacinamide brightening pad: same format, different job.
Which is better, the Zero Pore Pad 2.0 or the numbuzin No.5 Exfoliating Pads?
Neither is simply better; it depends on your skin and goal. Choose the Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0 if congestion and oil are the problem and your skin already handles acids and alcohol. Choose the numbuzin No.5 pads if uneven tone and dark spots are the goal and you want niacinamide doing most of the work.
Can I use the Zero Pore Pad 2.0 and the numbuzin No.5 Exfoliating Pads together?
Often yes. If they sit at different routine steps you can layer them lightest to heaviest, and if they do the same job you would usually pick one. Introduce new actives one at a time and patch test first.
Where these claims come from
- Star ratings and review counts: Amazon.co.uk's own figures for each listing, read on 2026-10-01.
- Prices and stock: read from each Amazon.co.uk listing, read on 2026-10-01.
- Best Sellers Rank and "bought in past month" badges: Amazon.co.uk's own figures, shown on the product page, read on 2026-10-01.
- Ingredient list as published by the manufacturer · medicube.us
- Ingredient list as published by the manufacturer · us.numbuzin.com
We have not tested either product. Everything above is read from the listings and the manufacturer, with the dates shown, plus our own reading of what the two are for. Ratings are Amazon customers' scores, not ours.
Amazon.co.uk figures, not ours: prices read on 2026-10-01; star ratings and review counts read on 2026-10-01. Prices and ratings change; these are dated snapshots.
Prices move around, so always confirm on Amazon before deciding. Browse more options in Zero Pore & Pore Care or browse the whole range.