ageLOC® R2 (NZ)

ageLOC R² is a day-and-night supplement system that targets two fundamental aspects of cellular ageing: daytime energy production and overnight cellular purification. The Day formula supports mitochondrial function and physical vitality, while the Night formula enhances your cells' ability to neutralise and remove metabolic waste during sleep. Together, they address why you feel less energetic and recover more slowly as you age — not through stimulants, but through gene expression science that targets the sources of age-related decline.

What Makes ageLOC R² Different

Most energy supplements rely on caffeine, B-vitamins, or adaptogenic herbs to give you a temporary boost. R² takes a fundamentally different approach: it targets Youth Gene Clusters (YGCs) — groups of genes whose expression patterns change with age, contributing to reduced energy, slower recovery, and cellular waste accumulation. Nu Skin's research identified these gene clusters through functional genomics, and R² is formulated to promote youthful gene expression patterns.

The Day formula focuses on mitochondrial efficiency. Mitochondria are your cells' energy generators, and their output declines measurably with age. A study published in Cell Metabolism (2013) showed that mitochondrial dysfunction is one of the nine hallmarks of ageing. R² Day contains Cordyceps sinensis (CS-4 strain), which has been shown in clinical research to improve cellular ATP production and oxygen utilisation — the actual mechanisms behind sustainable energy, not just the feeling of it.

The Night formula targets cellular purification — your body's overnight cleanup process. While you sleep, cells work to neutralise reactive oxygen species and remove damaged proteins. This process becomes less efficient with age, and the accumulation of cellular waste products contributes to inflammation, brain fog, and accelerated tissue ageing. R² Night supports these pathways through a blend of pomegranate extract, grape seed polyphenols, and alpha lipoic acid.

The dual-formula approach matters because energy and purification are interdependent. Cells that don't clean up properly at night can't produce energy efficiently during the day. R² addresses both halves of this cycle.

Key Ingredients

Cordyceps sinensis (CS-4 strain): This medicinal mushroom extract supports mitochondrial function and oxygen uptake. A randomised controlled trial in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (2010;16(5):585-590) found that CS-4 supplementation improved exercise performance and oxygen utilisation in healthy older adults after 12 weeks.

Pomegranate extract (ellagic acid): A potent antioxidant that supports the body's natural detoxification pathways. Research in Nature Medicine (2016) identified urolithin A — a metabolite of ellagic acid produced by gut bacteria — as a compound that stimulates mitophagy (the selective removal of damaged mitochondria), directly supporting cellular renewal.

Grape seed polyphenols: These cross the blood-brain barrier and support cognitive clarity alongside their systemic antioxidant activity. Relevant for the mental sharpness component of R² Night's purification support.

Alpha lipoic acid: A unique antioxidant that functions in both water and fat-soluble environments, giving it access to every part of the cell. It also regenerates other antioxidants (vitamins C and E), extending their effectiveness.

Coenzyme Q10: Essential for the electron transport chain in mitochondria — literally required for ATP production. CoQ10 levels decline with age, and supplementation supports the energy production that R² Day is designed to enhance.

How to Use

Take R² Day capsules with your morning meal and R² Night capsules 30-60 minutes before bed. The timing aligns with your body's natural circadian rhythms — energy production peaks in the morning, and cellular repair ramps up during sleep.

For Kiwis with physically demanding days — whether you're farming in Canterbury, leading tramping groups in the Tararuas, or commuting across Auckland — the Day formula is designed to support sustained energy without the crash that caffeine-based products create. It's not a pick-me-up; it's a foundation-level energy support.

Consistency matters more than precision with timing. If you miss a morning dose, take it with lunch rather than doubling up the next day. The gene expression effects build over weeks, with most users reporting noticeable differences in energy and morning alertness within 2-4 weeks.

How It Compares

R² is more expensive than single-ingredient energy or antioxidant supplements, and the reason is scope: it's not just CoQ10 or just B-vitamins, it's a multi-pathway system targeting gene expression. If you want targeted support for one specific function, a Clinicians product might be more appropriate and affordable. If you want a comprehensive approach to cellular energy and renewal, R² covers more ground.

Who Is This For

If you're over 35 and noticing that you don't recover as quickly from physical exertion, your mental clarity isn't as sharp by mid-afternoon, or you wake up feeling less refreshed despite adequate sleep, R² addresses the underlying cellular mechanics behind those changes.

If you're managing a busy Kiwi lifestyle — running a business, raising kids, staying active — and you've tried coffee, energy drinks, or B-vitamin supplements without lasting improvement, R² works through a different mechanism entirely. It's not masking fatigue; it's supporting the cellular processes that produce genuine energy.

If you're interested in longevity science and the concept of healthspan (quality years, not just more years), R²'s gene expression approach aligns with current ageing research. It's a practical application of the science without requiring a PhD to use.

This might not be for you if you're simply not sleeping enough — no supplement fixes chronic sleep deprivation. It's also not designed for acute energy needs (it won't replace a coffee before a meeting). And at NZ$189 per month, it requires budget commitment. If finances are tight, prioritise LifePak as your nutritional foundation first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I purchase ageLOC R² in New Zealand?

Order from nubestskin.com — no registration or membership needed. All orders ship from the official Nu Skin New Zealand warehouse. Standard shipping: NZ$4.99, free on orders over NZ$99. Typical delivery: 2-5 business days within New Zealand.

Q: Can I take just the Day or just the Night formula?

You can buy R² Day and R² Night separately (NZ$94 each). However, the system is designed to work together — the Day formula supports energy production that the Night formula's purification makes possible. Using both gives you the full cycle. That said, if budget is a factor, choosing one is better than neither.

Q: How long before I notice a difference?

Most users report noticeable improvements in morning alertness and sustained afternoon energy within 2-4 weeks. The cellular purification effects (better sleep quality, clearer thinking) tend to develop over 4-8 weeks. Gene expression changes accumulate — this isn't a first-day supplement.

Q: Can I take R² with LifePak and other supplements?

Yes. R² is designed to complement the Pharmanex range. LifePak provides your broad nutritional base; R² targets cellular energy and purification specifically. There's no problematic overlap in the formulations.

Q: Is ageLOC R² worth it compared to cheaper energy supplements?

If you're comparing it to caffeine tablets or basic B-vitamin supplements, they're different products solving different problems. R² targets the gene expression patterns behind age-related energy decline — a deeper, more sustained approach. Whether that's worth NZ$189/month depends on how much cellular-level support matters to you versus symptom-level energy boosting.

Works With

LifePak — Your nutritional foundation. R² works on gene expression and cellular function; LifePak ensures your body has the raw nutritional materials to support those processes. Available on our New Zealand store.

ageLOC Y-Span — If R² is the energy-and-purification system, Y-Span is the broader anti-ageing supplement targeting multiple ageing defence mechanisms. Together, they form Nu Skin's most comprehensive anti-ageing supplement stack. Available on our New Zealand store.

Pharmanex Nu Biome — Gut health directly affects how well you absorb and utilise all your other supplements. Nu Biome's prebiotic support optimises the foundation that R² builds on. Available on our New Zealand store.

Important Information

Important Information: This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare professional before use, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition. Dietary supplements are regulated under New Zealand's Dietary Supplements Regulations. Individual results may vary. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

NuBest Skin is an Independent Nu Skin Brand Affiliate. This content is not produced or endorsed by Nu Skin Enterprises Inc.

Sources & References

1. Lopez-Otin C, et al. The Hallmarks of Aging. Cell. 2013;153(6):1194-1217. doi:10.1016/j.cell.2013.05.039

2. Chen S, et al. Effect of Cs-4 (Cordyceps sinensis) on exercise performance in healthy older subjects. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2010;16(5):585-590.

3. Ryu D, et al. Urolithin A induces mitophagy and prolongs lifespan in C. elegans and increases muscle function in rodents. Nature Medicine. 2016;22:879-888.

4. Nu Skin. ageLOC science and gene expression research documentation, 2023.

Reviewed by the NuBest Skin Editorial Team. Last updated: April 2026.