ageLOC® R² (R2) (Australia)

ageLOC R² is Nu Skin's day-and-night supplement system that targets cellular energy production during waking hours and supports the body's natural purification processes overnight. It's built around Nu Skin's gene expression science — specifically, Youth Gene Clusters associated with how cells produce energy and handle detoxification. At AU$155.00 for a full 30-day supply of both formulas, it sits at the premium end of the market, but it's one of the few supplements that actually separates its active ingredients into circadian-aligned doses rather than cramming everything into a single morning tablet.

What Makes ageLOC R² Different

Most energy-and-detox supplements treat daytime vitality and overnight recovery as one problem. R² doesn't. The system ships as two distinct formulas — R² Day and R² Night — each formulated for the biological phase it targets. R² Day focuses on mitochondrial ATP production, the actual energy currency your cells run on. R² Night shifts to phase II liver detoxification and antioxidant defence pathways, working with the body's natural overnight repair cycle.

The underlying technology is Nu Skin's ageLOC platform, which identifies clusters of genes that influence how we age and targets them with specific ingredient profiles. In the case of R², the relevant clusters govern cellular energy output (which typically declines from around age 30) and the efficiency of detoxification enzymes in the liver. Nu Skin has published gene expression data showing that R²'s formula influences the expression patterns of these clusters, though it's worth noting that gene expression changes don't automatically translate to dramatic clinical outcomes for every individual.

What's genuinely unusual is the two-phase approach. Circadian biology research has established that metabolic and detoxification processes follow 24-hour cycles — your liver's detox enzymes peak overnight, while mitochondrial energy demand is highest during the day. R² aligns its ingredient delivery to these rhythms, which is a more sophisticated approach than most competitors offer. The system has been in Nu Skin's lineup since approximately 2012, making it one of their longest-running and best-selling products globally.

Key Ingredients

Cordyceps sinensis Cs-4 (R² Day) — This medicinal mushroom extract has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries, but the modern research is what matters here. A 2010 study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (Chen S, et al., 2010;16(5):585-590) found that Cordyceps Cs-4 supplementation improved exercise performance and oxygen utilisation in older adults over a 12-week period. The mechanism centres on ATP production — Cordyceps appears to support mitochondrial efficiency, which is why it's the anchor ingredient in the Day formula.

Pomegranate Extract (R² Day) — Standardised for punicalagins and ellagic acid, pomegranate extract provides antioxidant support during the day when oxidative stress from UV exposure, pollution, and metabolic activity is highest. Research has shown that pomegranate polyphenols have measurable effects on oxidative biomarkers, though the concentration and standardisation of the extract matters significantly — not all pomegranate supplements are equivalent.

Milk Thistle / Silymarin (R² Night) — Silymarin is one of the most extensively studied botanical hepatoprotectants available. A comprehensive review by Abenavoli L, et al. in Phytotherapy Research (2010;24(10):1423-1432) confirmed silymarin's hepatoprotective effects, including support for glutathione production — one of the body's primary detoxification molecules. In R² Night, silymarin supports the liver's overnight detoxification workload.

Broccoli Seed Extract (R² Night) — Rich in sulforaphane, broccoli seed extract activates the Nrf2 pathway, which is essentially the master switch for the body's antioxidant defence system. Nrf2 activation upregulates production of phase II detoxification enzymes. The inclusion of this ingredient alongside silymarin creates a two-pronged approach to overnight cellular purification — silymarin supports liver-specific detox while sulforaphane activates broader cellular defence mechanisms.

How Australians Are Using ageLOC R²

The standard protocol is straightforward: take the R² Day capsules each morning with breakfast, and the R² Night capsules in the evening with your last meal. Each box contains a 30-day supply of both formulas. Most users report noticing changes in sustained energy levels (fewer afternoon crashes) within the first 2-3 weeks, though the cellular purification benefits from the Night formula tend to be more subtle and cumulative over 6-8 weeks.

In Australian conditions, R² has a practical angle that's worth mentioning. Between high UV exposure (Australia's UV index regularly hits 11-14 in summer), air conditioning cycling between indoor and outdoor environments, and the general pace of urban life in cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, oxidative stress loads tend to run higher than in many other markets. The Day formula's antioxidant support and the Night formula's detox pathway activation are relevant to that reality.

R² works best as a consistent daily habit rather than something you take intermittently. The gene expression effects Nu Skin references in their research data were observed over sustained use periods. If you're someone who travels frequently between Australian time zones or does shift work, the day-night separation becomes particularly relevant — take the Day formula when you wake and Night when you're winding down, regardless of clock time.

How It Compares

Feature	ageLOC R²	Swisse Liver Detox + CoQ10	Bioceuticals Adrenoplex	Blackmores Executive B
Price (30-day)	AU$155.00	~AU$35 combined	~AU$55	~AU$30
Day/Night Separation	Yes — 2 distinct formulas	No — separate products taken anytime	No — single formula	No — single formula
Energy Mechanism	Cordyceps Cs-4 (ATP production)	CoQ10 (electron transport)	Adaptogenic herbs + B vitamins	B-complex stress support
Detox Support	Silymarin + Nrf2 activation (broccoli seed)	Milk thistle + St Mary's thistle	Not a primary focus	Not included
Gene Expression Science	Yes — ageLOC Youth Gene Clusters	No	No	No
Signup Required	No (via NuBest Skin)	No	No (practitioner-only)	No

Pricing is approximate and based on standard Australian retail at the time of writing. Competitor pricing may vary by retailer.

Who Is This For

Ideal for: Adults over 35 who've noticed their energy doesn't sustain through the afternoon the way it used to, and who want a structured approach to supporting both daytime vitality and overnight recovery. Also well-suited for professionals in high-stress roles who want cellular-level support beyond what a standard multivitamin provides.

Also suited for: Anyone already using other ageLOC products (like Meta or Y-Span) who wants to add targeted energy and detoxification support to their existing regimen. R² integrates well with the broader ageLOC ecosystem.

Not recommended for: Anyone looking for a quick-fix energy boost — R² isn't a stimulant and doesn't contain caffeine. If you want immediate energy like a pre-workout, this isn't the right product. Also not suitable for children under 15, or anyone pregnant or breastfeeding without medical advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy ageLOC R² in Australia without signing up?
Yes. Through NuBest Skin, you can purchase ageLOC R² at competitive pricing without creating a Nu Skin account or signing up as a member. Your order ships from the official Nu Skin warehouse in Australia.

Can I take R² Day and R² Night together, or do I need both?
They're designed to work as a system — the Day formula handles energy production while the Night formula handles purification. You'll get the full benefit from using both together. Taking only one is possible but you'd miss half the circadian approach that makes R² distinctive.

How long before I notice results from ageLOC R²?
Most users notice sustained energy improvements within 2-3 weeks. The detoxification and cellular renewal benefits from the Night formula are more gradual, typically becoming apparent over 6-8 weeks of consistent use. Individual responses vary based on age, diet, and baseline health.

Is R² suitable for an active Australian lifestyle?
It's well-suited to it. The Cordyceps Cs-4 in the Day formula has research backing its support for exercise performance and oxygen utilisation (Chen S, et al., 2010). The antioxidant support is also relevant given Australia's high UV exposure levels. It's not a sports supplement per se, but it supports the cellular energy systems that active people rely on.

Can I use R² alongside other ageLOC or Pharmanex supplements?
Yes — R² is specifically designed to complement the broader ageLOC range. It pairs well with ageLOC Meta (metabolic health), ageLOC Y-Span (broad anti-ageing), and LifePak (nutritional foundation). There's no ingredient overlap that would cause concern when combining these products.

Works With

ageLOC Meta — Targets metabolic health and fat metabolism through a different set of gene expression pathways. While R² handles energy and detoxification, Meta addresses how efficiently your body processes and utilises nutrients. Together, they cover two major pillars of cellular ageing.

ageLOC Y-Span — Nu Skin's broadest anti-ageing supplement, targeting Youth Gene Clusters across multiple ageing pathways. R² is more focused (energy + detox), while Y-Span casts a wider net. Using both provides both targeted and broad-spectrum gene expression support.

LifePak — A comprehensive daily nutritional supplement providing vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Think of LifePak as the nutritional foundation and R² as the targeted performance layer built on top of it.

Important Information

Always read the label and follow the directions for use. Supplements should not replace a balanced diet. If symptoms persist, consult your healthcare professional. Not suitable for children under 15 years unless advised by a healthcare practitioner. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking prescription medication, consult your doctor before use.

This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Individual results may vary.

NuBest Skin is an Independent Nu Skin Brand Affiliate. This website is independently operated and is not produced, endorsed, or approved by Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc.

Sources & References

• Chen S, et al. "Effect of Cs-4 (Cordyceps sinensis) on exercise performance in healthy older subjects." Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2010;16(5):585-590. PubMed
• Abenavoli L, et al. "Milk thistle in liver diseases: past, present, future." Phytotherapy Research. 2010;24(10):1423-1432. PubMed
• Nu Skin official product documentation — ageLOC R² (2024)
• Nu Skin gene expression research — Youth Gene Cluster studies

Product information reviewed by the NuBest Skin Editorial Team. Last updated April 2026.