'I've tried hundreds of anti-ageing serums but this $35 one tops them all.'

Mamamia's Tried and Tested series is your review of the latest to hit our desks in beauty, health and wellbeing. You won't find any #sponsored content here, just honest, relatable and independent advice. This week, Mamamia's Juna Xu tries the Numbuzin's No.9 NAD Bio Lifting-sil Essence.

I've been slightly obsessed with anti-ageing products for as long as I can remember. Call me superficial, but it's true.

I'm turning 30 in a few months. Yes, it's a milestone that should be celebrated, not feared — but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little anxious about the bodily changes that might be lurking around the corner.

For example, collagen depletion tends to accelerate in our 30s and 40s, leading to visible signs of ageing (hello, wrinkles and sagging skin). I know there are bigger problems in life, but it's something I find myself thinking a lot about.

And while I'm not ready to dabble in Botox or fillers just yet (not that my current bank account would allow it anyway), I still want something that makes me look and feel good.

And so, I've resorted to using hundreds of different topical anti-ageing products.

WATCH: Juna Xu puts the three-finger makeup hack to the test. Post continues below.

After trying more products that I can keep track of, I'm so excited to have finally found one I can actually vouch for: Numbuzin's No.9 NAD Bio Lifting-sil Essence.

This Korean skincare gem has been dubbed "botox-in-a-bottle" plus, it's effective, gentle enough for sensitive skin, and, thankfully, very affordable (especially considering the concoction of top-quality ingredients it's formulated with).

Here's what happened when I put this best-selling anti-ageing product to the test.

What is the Numbuzin No.9 NAD Bio Lifting-sil Essence?

Numbuzin is a cult-favourite Korean brand that's gaining serious traction globally. Known for its clean, results-driven formulas, it caters to sensitive and mature skin types alike.

Their motto, "What's your number?", makes their product range easy to navigate — each item is numbered rather than given a complicated name.

I've previously raved about their No.5 Vitamin Concentrated Serum (a dupe for SkinCeuticals' cult C E Ferulic) and the No.1 Pantothenic B5 Active Soothing Serum.

The No.9 range — including the best-selling NAD Bio Lifting-sil Essence, matching mask and Secret Firming Serum — focuses on targeting visible signs of ageing, and improving elasticity and firmness.

Image: Supplied.

What are the benefits of Numbuzin's No.9 NAD Bio Lifting-sil Essence?

With a 4.9-star rating and over 400 reviews on Olive Young's website (South Korea's version of Mecca, Sephora and Adore Beauty all combined into one store), it's safe to say this product is very well-loved.

The magic ingredient is NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), which is an up-and-coming viral anti-ageing skincare ingredient. It's naturally found in all living cells and is vital for energy metabolism, and when incorporated into skincare, it helps repair and regenerate cells, resulting in firmer, younger-looking skin.

It also contains 50 peptides (yes, 5-0) to improve wrinkles, making it one of the most peptide-rich products on the market. It's clinically proven to reduce 11 types of wrinkles, from crow's feet and frown lines to chin and neck wrinkles.

To amp things up, the formula also includes EGF (epidermal growth factor) and powerful antioxidants like vitamins E and C, glutathione, ubiquinone and thioctic acid.

Despite the ingredients list sounding intense, the product is surprisingly gentle. In fact, it passed a 24-hour skin irritation test, which is a huge win for ultra-sensitive and acne-prone skin types (AKA me).

@dongzik_skin

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♬ Meet Her At The Love Parade (Slowed) - Vieze Asbak

How do you use the Numbuzin No.9 NAD Bio Lifting-sil Essence?

This serum can be used as part of your day and nighttime routine. After cleansing and toning, apply two to three pumps to your face and gently tap it in. Follow with your moisturiser, and if using in the morning, finish with a broad-spectrum sunscreen.

Where can I buy the Numbuzin No.9 NAD Bio Lifting-sil Essence?

There's no shortage of Korean beauty retailers in Australia. Hop onto Amazon, Adore Beauty, Myer, YesStyle or Nudie Glow and you'll be able to get your hands on this item. 

However, if you've read any of my Korean beauty reviews, you'll know my go-to online shop is Lila Beauty since their shipping within Australia is super fast and they're no stranger to having massive sales. 

A 50ml tube of the Numbuzin No.9 NAD Bio Lifting-sil Essence normally retails for $55 (or more from other retailers), but Lila stocks it for only $34.95. That's a saving of $20.05. 

You can buy it here or on Amazon here.

Numbuzin No.9 NAD Bio Lifting-sil Essence review.

OK, full disclosure: I've been told I have healthy skin for my age (thanks to good genes and sticking to a strict skincare routine since I was about 13). But ironically, that makes it harder for me to find anti-ageing products that work — most end up being too rich or irritating, leaving me with clogged pores or reactions.

Still, after seeing all the Korean skincare girlies snapping up this product on my recent trip to Seoul, I couldn't resist the hype.

Let's talk texture: I expected a watery essence (given the name), but it's more like a high-viscosity milky serum or even a lightweight moisturiser. Despite this, it felt silky, glided beautifully and absorbed really quickly — no tacky residue, which I loved.

I focused most of it on my smile lines since that's the area I'm most paranoid about. Because it's already quite nourishing and packed with actives, I skipped my usual serums and went straight to moisturiser afterwards.

That night, I crashed into bed and let it do its thing. Around 2am, I got up for a bathroom break, glanced in the mirror and genuinely had to do a double-take. My skin looked... brighter? Healthier? I wasn't sure if I was sleepwalking and seeing things or if the serum had already kicked in.

Come morning, I rushed to the mirror and was amazed to see the glow was still there. My skin looked extra moisturised (but not greasy) and smoother, especially around my chin and forehead, where I'm usually prone to uneven texture.

In terms of lifting, I didn't see any immediate botox-like effects, nor was I expecting this to happen overnight. I knew I needed to regularly continue using the product before drawing any conclusions.

Three weeks in, and I've noticed a subtle lifting effect, with no irritation to my hypersensitive skin (hallelujah). Old acne scars are fading quicker than usual, and the redness around my jawline? Practically gone. I've even converted my mum, who now uses it religiously.

Also, it layers perfectly under makeup — no pilling or weird reactions.

I have to admit that in the process of writing this review, I spent a long time trying to single out any downsides of the product. However, I have to conclude that it's very solid!

Considering anti-ageing injectables and in-clinic treatments can cost anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, spending $35 on this little tube (when it's on sale) every few months feels like a total bargain.

Have you tried Numbuzin's No.9 NAD Bio Lifting-sil Essence? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.

Feature image: Supplied.