Nutricentials® Clear & Balanced Kit (AU)

The Nutricentials® Clear & Balanced Kit (AU$190) is a three-step daily routine for oily and combination skin: a gel cleanser, a pH-rebalancing toner and a water-based gel moisturiser, packaged together to operate as a coherent system rather than three independent products. The kit is built around a single principle — manage excess sebum without stripping the skin into rebound oil production. In Nu Skin's user trial, 89% of participants reported the appearance of better oil control within two weeks of using all three steps together. Ships from the official Nu Skin Australia warehouse with no membership required.

What's Included

Three Nutricentials products bundled into one kit:

To Be Clear Pure Cleansing Gel. A gel-to-foam cleanser built around mandelic acid (an AHA derived from almonds). Dissolves excess sebum and clears pore congestion without disrupting the acid mantle. Mandelic acid has a larger molecular size than glycolic acid, so it penetrates more slowly and is less irritating — relevant for Australian skin already sensitised by UV exposure.

In Balance pH Balance Toner. A pH-rebalancing toner that re-establishes the slightly acidic surface (pH 4.5–5.5) the skin sits at when healthy. Cleansing temporarily shifts pH upward; bringing it back down promptly is what stops the alkaline-trigger response that drives rebound oil production. Formulated with witch hazel and aloe vera as the botanical components.

Thirst Fix Hydrating Gel Cream. A water-based gel moisturiser with hyaluronic acid. Hydrates without adding oil, absorbs in around 30 seconds, sits cleanly under SPF and makeup. The gel format is what makes the kit comfortable in humid coastal Australian conditions where heavier moisturisers feel suffocating.

Why a Three-Step System for Oily Skin

The most common mistake in oily-skin routines is over-stripping. Aggressive cleansers, alcohol-based toners and skipping moisturiser feel logical — less oil in, less oil to deal with — but the skin's response is the opposite of what is wanted. When the surface is repeatedly stripped of sebum and pushed alkaline, sebaceous glands respond by producing more oil to compensate. The result is skin that feels tight and dry while still looking oily within a few hours.

The Clear & Balanced Kit is designed around the inverse logic. The cleanser uses mandelic acid (a gentler AHA) rather than harsh surfactants to clear pores. The toner brings the surface back to its acidic pH range, which is the signal sebaceous glands use to regulate output. The gel moisturiser delivers water without adding oil, which keeps the barrier intact so the skin's own sebum production stays in balance rather than swinging.

This is the same principle dermatology guidelines describe for managing oily skin — gentle cleansing, restoring pH, hydrating without occlusion. The kit operationalises it in three coordinated products at one purchase.

How It Compares to Australian Pharmacy Routines

Multi-step oily-skin routines are widely available at the pharmacy in Australia. The differentiation is in formulation depth and how well the steps coordinate with each other.

The Clear & Balanced Kit sits between the surfactant-led pharmacy options (Cetaphil, QV) and the user-assembled active routines (The Ordinary). It is the right purchase for someone who wants chemical exfoliation and a coordinated three-step system without choosing three products from different brands and hoping they layer cleanly. Effaclar is the closest direct comparison — both run an exfoliating-acid cleanser into a coordinated routine — but Effaclar uses salicylic acid (BHA) rather than mandelic, which differs in mildness and target concern.

Routine: Morning and Evening

Morning. To Be Clear cleanser → In Balance toner → Thirst Fix Gel Cream → broad-spectrum SPF 50+ (essential year-round in Australia).

Evening. Double-cleanse if wearing SPF and makeup (oil-based first cleanser, To Be Clear second) → In Balance toner → Thirst Fix Gel Cream. Optional weekly addition: a clay or rinse-off mask such as Spa Day Creamy Hydrating Masque on weeknights, or a hydrating overnight option like Pillow Glow Sleeping Mask on weekends.

Allow 30–60 seconds between steps for absorption. Total routine time is around two minutes once the order is familiar.

Who This Kit Suits

✅ Best suited for: Oily and combination skin in humid coastal Australian conditions year-round, and across most of the country during summer. Anyone whose current routine leaves skin tight after cleansing then oily again by midday — that is the rebound-sebum pattern this kit is built to interrupt. Beginners to chemical exfoliation, since mandelic acid is one of the gentler AHAs.

⚠️ Less suited for: Genuinely dry or mature skin — the gel moisturiser is unlikely to provide enough hydration for those skin types, and the Nutricentials Hydration Kit is the matched alternative. Active acne flares — the Clear & Balanced kit manages oil and pores but for inflammatory acne, a dedicated salicylic-acid-led kit is more targeted. Pregnant or breastfeeding users should consult their healthcare professional before introducing AHA cleansers.

💡 Pairs well with: Broad-spectrum SPF 50+ in the morning (essential — AHA increases photosensitivity), a vitamin C serum for the morning if you tolerate active layering, and a rinse-off mask once or twice a week for additional surface refining.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this kit suitable for acne-prone skin?

The Clear & Balanced Kit manages oil and keeps pores clear, which can help prevent breakouts in skin that is oily but not actively acne-flaring. For active inflammatory acne, a salicylic-acid-led kit (BHA penetrates pores more deeply than the mandelic AHA in this set) is more directly targeted.

Can I use these products with other actives?

Yes. The mandelic acid in the cleanser is gentle enough to pair with niacinamide or stabilised vitamin C in serums. Avoid layering on additional AHA/BHA exfoliants on cleanse-day or you risk over-exfoliation. If you also use retinol, alternate evenings rather than stacking on the same night during the first six weeks.

How long does the kit last?

At twice-daily use across all three products, the kit typically lasts 6–8 weeks depending on application amount. The cleanser tends to deplete first; the toner and gel cream usually outlast it.

Will the cleanser cause photosensitivity?

Mandelic acid increases photosensitivity for 24–48 hours after use. Daily broad-spectrum SPF 50+ is non-negotiable in the Australian climate when using AHA-based cleansers — Bureau of Meteorology data shows UV index regularly reaching 11+ ("extreme") for extended periods, and Cancer Council Australia notes up to 80% of UV penetrates cloud cover.

Can I use this kit if I'm pregnant?

Mandelic acid at the concentration in cleansers is generally considered low-risk during pregnancy because contact time is brief, but consult your healthcare professional before introducing any active during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

What if I'm switching from a stripping cleanser?

Expect a transition period of one to three weeks where sebum production rebalances. Skin may temporarily feel oilier than usual as the rebound-sebum cycle resets. Stick with the kit through the transition and the pattern should normalise.

Important Information

Individual results may vary. This kit and the products within it are for cosmetic use only and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or skin condition. AHA use increases photosensitivity — daily broad-spectrum SPF is essential. Discontinue use and consult a healthcare professional if irritation persists. Patch test recommended before first use. If pregnant, breastfeeding or under medical care, consult your healthcare professional before introducing acid-based cleansers.

Clinical results referenced are from studies conducted or commissioned by Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc., or from independent peer-reviewed literature where cited, and may not reflect typical consumer experience.

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

1. Taylor, M.B. et al. "Mandelic Acid in the Treatment of Acne and Skin Rejuvenation." Cosmetic Dermatology, 12(1) (1999).
2. Cancer Council Australia — Sun Safety — UV penetration through cloud cover and Australian sun exposure context.
3. Bureau of Meteorology — UV Index — Australian UV exposure data.
4. Therapeutic Goods Administration — Cosmetics — Australian classification of cosmetic versus therapeutic claims.
5. Nu Skin Nutricentials User Trial — Oil control and hydration data (Nu Skin Enterprises, 2020).

Reviewed by the NuBest Skin Editorial Team. Last updated May 2026.