What is NuFACE?

Both NuFACe mini and NuFace Trinity are microcurrent device solutions that provide an electrical facial. They are skin toning devices that utilize microcurrent technology so anyone can enhance their home skincare routine to the next level. With the NuFACE gel and facial toning kit, the esthetician skin toning product will act as a wrinkle reducer.

 NuFACE products work by utilizing microcurrents. Microcurrents are low-level currents that work by mimicking the body’s natural currents to provide both instant and cumulative anti-aging effects. Even better, because the treatment works on a sub-sensory level, most people feel nothing or feel a soothing sensation.

Microcurrent facial toning device treatments are often even referred to as a “5-minute facial lift,” courtesy of how quickly it works to offer a healthier, more youthful appearance. As a general idea, microcurrent works by boosting ATP production, which in turn stimulates both collagen and elastin. And, as you may well know, increased collagen and elastin, as well as re-energized facial muscles, results in a lifted appearance.

Best Conductive Gel For NuFACE

Of course, for microcurrents to work well on your facial skin, you need a conductive gel to take that current from the facial toning device and to your skin’s tissues. The company also offers a NuFace gel primer as part of the in-home facial treatment, and most practitioners use that as the gel is easy on the lips and eyes. However, as the priming gel contains propylene glycol, some individuals prefer to use aloe vera as a more natural conductive gel option. NuFACE’s preferred treatment actually suggests using the NuFACE Serum to help prep your skin for the NuFACE Primer for best results, as the serum purports to help prep your skin for the primer, and consequently offers maximum microcurrent conductivity.

Can I Use Aloe Vera Gel As Conductive Gel?

Yes! In fact, some people recommend using aloe vera gel (which is naturally good for your skin anyway, as it helps remoisturize tissue) as a conductive gel rather than the primer gel that is often recommended with microcurrent treatments or a facial toning device. Aloe vera can be used with other electrical facial therapy devices for anybody seeking an in-home professional microcurrent facial!

Can I Use Ultrasound Gel With My NuFACE?

Technically, you probably could—but you might not want to use something so outside of traditional skincare tools such as ultrasound gel. Yes, ultrasound gel is a decent conductive gel—though its use in ultrasound applications is to help transmit radio waves rather than electrical currents—but it can cause irritation with some people’s skin and isn’t necessarily cheaper than other priming gels, nor is it necessarily any better for your skin. And if the whole point of using a facial toning device is to make your skin look better, that kind of defeats the purpose, doesn’t it? When it comes to using any mini facial toning device to reduce the appearance of fine lines are your forehead, eye, and lip it seems logical to invest in the most hydrating gels for your facial device.

Can you use oil with NuFACE?

In order for microcurrents to effectively work in your skin’s tissues, you need a conductive gel to help transfer that current from the device to your skin’s tissues. Oil, however, is not a very good electrical conductor, and can actually inhibit the microcurrent and act as a barrier between the facial toning device and your skin’s tissues. As a result, you definitely do not want to use oil. (Not to mention that you probably don’t want to put oil on your face as part of your skincare regiment, to begin with, but that’s a separate topic.)

Similarly, any sort of oil-based product, whether an actual skincare product or an alternative like petroleum jelly (Vaseline) or even KY jelly will not work very well with your facial toning device and may, given that oil-based products are not very good conductors and can effectively create a barrier instead, limit the effectiveness of the skincare treatments.

Can I Use Water With NuFACE?

The better question might be, why would you want to? In order for any microcurrent-based facial toning device to work, you need a good conductive gel to help that electrical current gently stimulate your skin tissue. While water is technically considered a conductor, it isn’t a particularly effective one compared to the many other options out there—some of which might also offer other skincare benefits. For instance, if you’re considering water because you don’t want to put chemicals on your skin or because you have sensitive skin that easily reacts to other substances, aloe vera gel might be a good option. Not only is it a better conductor than water, but it also helps remoisturize your skin’s tissues far better than water (which can actually dry your skin out or result in increased facial oil secretion in response to that drying process, neither of which you likely want). You may, however, want to use a spray bottle to mist your skin in combination with the aloe vera gel to help keep your skin moist (as the aloe vera gel can dry out on your skin) during your facial toning device treatment.

What Can I Use Instead Of Conductive Gel?

Technically, you wouldn’t have to use a conductive gel of any sort—but why wouldn’t you want to help ensure the microcurrents are most effectively stimulating your skin tissue when using your facial toning device? If the expense is a consideration (some priming gels can be quite pricy) or if you’re worried about sensitive skin or looking for a more natural alternative, aloe vera gels (provided they are pure, of course) can be a great alternative, for instance, and aloe vera gels can offer additional benefits in the way they help moisturize your skin tissue.

What A Licensed Esthetician Says About NuFACE Microcurrent Really Working

We asked a professional esthetician her thoughts on the NuFACE mini facial toning device and her overall impression of microcurrent facial devices. She stated that the NuFACE trinity facial toning device was one of her favorite skincare devices for reducing fine lines and wrinkles. In fact, she said she uses the beauty device for nightly in-home microcurrent therapy. However, she also stated that the best wrinkle reducer is a lifestyle that focuses on drinking plenty of water every day, reducing sun exposure, and getting a quality night of sleep. Although lifting and toning skincare devices are great, nothing is more powerful than living a balanced and mindful lifestyle.

Our Happy Planet used the following resources for this article:

https://www.mynuface.com/pages/faq
https://www.mynuface.com/pages/microcurrent
https://community.qvc.com/t5/Beauty/Conductive-Gel-for-Microcurrent-Machines/td-p/872772
https://sonosupplies.com/blogs/learn/what-can-you-use-instead-of-ultrasound-gel-alternatives
https://www.quora.com/Is-petroleum-jelly-safe-to-use-on-electronics-Is-it-an-electrical-conductor
https://intothegloss.com/2016/04/microcurrent-treatment/
https://www.organicauthority.com/energetic-health/i-tried-the-nuface-and-nubody-microcurrent-toning-devices-and-they-worked