Last year, I heard New York dermatologist Shereene Idriss, MD talking on Instagram about how she noticed big changes in her skin at the age of 38, hardly recognizing herself one day after catching her reflection in the mirror. “I thought I had developed jowls—I saw them,” she said. I had the same experience when I turned 38, and that “new” face I saw looking back at me has continued to age faster than it was before. “There are moments in your life when you age faster, and moments when you age slower,” Dr. Idriss explained. Nonetheless, what a strange feeling not to recognize yourself, and it’s one that so many of us share. Hence, why I’ve been more focused than ever before on skin-care products with firming benefits. One of them is Nu Skin’s ageLOC Tru Face Essence Ultra capsules, which not only address a lack of firmness, but also lines, wrinkles, loss of elasticity and more. Here, my honest review.
The Benefits of These Firming Serum Capsules
Serum capsules are one of the most underrated skin-care products in my opinion. There are so many benefits to the capsule format, from improved stability to standardized dosage (aka, no more guessing how much serum you need). This heavy-hitting formula combines two of Nu Skin’s most advanced scientific breakthroughs: ageLOC Blend, which targets sources of aging in the skin, and Tru Face FirmPlex, which the brand says “enhances a key component of firm skin” to restore that youthful bounce we lose over time. It helps skin look and feel “more lifted and elastic.”
Other ingredients include vitamins C and E, squalane, olive oil, jojoba extract, retinyl palmitate (a gentle retinol ester/vitamin A) and pistacia lentiscus gum, which is a tree resin that the brand tells me helps promote “a contoured appearance and visibly denser skin.” The combination of vitamins C and E provides antioxidant protection as well, helping to scavenge free radicals that can lead to (or worsen) signs of aging. In a third-party clinical study, 100 percent of participants showed visible improvement in fine lines and wrinkles after using the serum twice a day for just four weeks.
Each refillable jar contains 60 capsules so you can apply two a day (morning and night), and each capsule contains enough serum for a full-face treatment. If there is any serum left, don’t forget your neck! The texture of the serum is super silky (lots of slip) and gives my skin a smooth feel and radiant glow. And because the formula contains vitamin A, be sure to wear sunscreen when using this product in the morning (SPF is paramount regardless of which ingredients are in your skin care). I’ve never experienced any irritation from the serum; in fact, my skin feels really nourished and moisturized. Plus, if you subscribe for refills, which come in an eco-friendly bag, you get them at a discount ($166.50 per month versus $185).
