Facial toning devices have taken the skincare industry by storm by promising to deliver radiant skin with reduced wrinkles and a sculpted, lifted face.

These devices work by sending tiny electric shocks called microcurrents into the skin. These stimulate the muscles and tone the face.

They aim to give the similar effects to a facelift by tightening and lifting the skin. It’s also a painless treatment that can be done in the comfort of your own home.

Today, we’ll be comparing two of the most popular microcurrent facial devices — NuFACE Trinity and Nu Skin ageLOC Galvanic Spa.

As both devices aim to deliver the effects of both a facial and facelift, all without leaving your home, they have become hugely popular.

Find out how each one works, their similarities and differences so that you can  see which one is best for you.

NuFACE vs Nu Skin Comparison Table

What’s included?	NuFACE Trinity facial toning device Microcurrent attachment Charging cradle Power adapter Gel Primer 2 oz	ageLOC Face Conductor Spot Treatment Conductor Scalp Conductor Body Conductor Hair Treatment Conductor Facial gels (1 box)
Price	$325 (US) £315 (UK)	$385 (US) £336 (UK)
Warranty	1 year warranty	2 years limited warranty
Extras	ELE – Effective Lip & Eye microcurrent attachment ($149) Wrinkle Reducer attachment ($149)	All attachments are included with the device (see list above).
How often do you use it?	5-20 minutes daily. After cleansing and before further applying usual skincare products.	10 minutes, 2-3 times a week. After cleansing and before further applying usual skincare products.
Is it painful?	Not painful. Slight tingling occasionally reported.	Not painful.
Active Technology	Microcurrent technology at a low level (400 micro amps).	Galvanic currents are used to deliver key gel ingredients to the skin.
How does it work?	It causes tiny muscle contractions to tone the face. It stimulates skin and muscle cells to produce collagen.	It uses galvanic currents and magnetic charges to deliver the ingredients of their 2 accompanying facial gels into the skin.
Accompanying gels	Gel Primer: a water-based gel used to conduct the microcurrent through the skin.	Pre-Treatment Gel: binds to impurities in the skin. Treatment Gel: draws out impurities, targets signs of aging and helps skin recover from stress.
Skin smoothness	Fewer wrinkles and more sculpted appearance reported.	Plumper, healthier skin with a more even skin tone and fewer signs of aging.
Reported side effects	Minimal side effects.	No side effects reported.
FDA Approved	Yes approved as an at-home cosmetic device.	Yes approved as an at-home cosmetic device.
Where to Buy	NuFACE Trinity (US) NuFACE Trinity (UK)	Nu Skin Galvanic Spa (US) Nu Skin Galvanic Spa (UK)
Effectiveness according to reviews	4.4 stars out of 5 (Based on 462 reviews across 3 websites)	4 stars out of 5 (Based on 121 reviews across 3 websites)
Special Offers	Up to 20% off: NuFACE Trinity (US) NuFACE Trinity (UK)	Best prices: Nu Skin Galvanic Spa (US) Nu Skin Galvanic Spa (UK)

NuFACE Trinity Review

NuFACE was formed back in 2005 by Carol Cole, an aesthetician, and her two daughters.

Carol used microcurrent treatments to help her clients. Over time she realized that real results only came with very frequent treatments.

In 2005, she and her daughters launched NuFACE so that women could get professional results from the comfort of their own homes.

The NuFACE brand addresses some of the most common skincare concerns, including sagging eyelids and a lack of contour.

Nowadays, NuFACE products are widely available in large department stores, at online retailers or in professional spas.

They also have quite a few celebrity fan including Jennifer Anniston, Miranda Kerr, and Jessica Alba.

So how does the NuFACE Trinity device work and is it really worth the hype?

How Does the NuFACE Trinity Work?

The NuFACE Trinity device uses microcurrent technology to pass a small current (400 micro amps) into your facial skin and muscles.

Their water based gel helps to conduct the current so that it can go into the skin.

These gentle waves pass through the skin’s layers all the way down to the muscles of the face. This small current has been shown to stimulate the skin’s cells to produce the key proteins, collagen and elastin.

These two proteins are produced naturally in the skin, but as we age, our stores start to deplete.

Microcurrent encourages the skin to produce more of these proteins. This leads to rejuvenated, more youthful skin.

This technology has also been shown to energize and activate the facial muscles.

Muscles in the face are directly connected to the skin, unlike elsewhere in the body. So toning the face muscles directly affects the skin’s appearance.

What’s Included With the NuFACE Trinity?

The NuFACE Trinity is available either on it’s own or together with one of it’s two attachments:

1. ELE (Effective Lip & Eye attachment).
2. Wrinkle Reducer attachment.

The prices for each bundle summarised in the table below. Each one includes the NuFACE Trinity device, charging cradle, power adaptor and 2oz gel primer and the following attachments:

Where to buy NuFACE Trinity devices:

NuFACE online store: NuFACE products

SkinStore: NuFACE range

Amazon: NuFACE store

For UK, Cult Beauty: NuFACE Trinity

How Do You Use the NuFace Trinity?

The device is simple to use. You focus on particular areas of the face or neck.

These can include your:

1. Smile lines
2. Forehead
3. Jaw area
4. Neck

After cleansing and toning the skin, pat it dry and apply the Gel Primer to the area you are going to work on first.

Place the device at a starting position of the area and glide it upwards and outwards, slowly and smoothly. An example for the jaw area would be to:

• Start with the device vertical near the jaw and the mouth.
• Glide the device towards the ear until the beep sounds (it sounds every 5 seconds).
• Move the device up to just under the cheekbone.
• Glide towards the ear and hold untill the beep sounds.
• Finally, move the device up slightly so that it glides over the cheekbone. Glide towards the ear and hold until the beep.
• Repeat this whole sequence three times.

When you have completed the process 3 times you can move onto another area of the face or neck.

How Often Do I Use NuFACE?

NuFACE recommend to use the device every day for 5-20 minutes a day for the first 60 days.

After that you can use it a few times a week to maintain the results.

Can I Use the NuFACE Trinity Under the Eyes?

While you can use this device on the cheekbones and areas around the eyes, you can’t use it on the skin directly underneath the eyes.

For this you’ll need the ELE attachment. This has 2 prongs which are made for use around the eye and lip area.

You can get the attachment on its own or together with a NuFACE device:

• ELE attachment – $149
• NuFACE Trinity with ELE Attachment $429 (normally $474)

Up to 20% off: NuFACE Trinity

Does the NuFACE Really Work?

Although it has many famous – and beautiful – fans, here’s a look at what NuFACE users had to say.

Overall the NuFACE Trinity got 4.4 stars out of 5 from 462 reviews across 3 platforms (NuFACE, Current Body, and SpaceNK).

Reviews tended to mention the following results:

• Lifted, toned face.
• Improved skin quality and smoothness.
• Quick results were seen.
• Pleasant cooling sensation during use.
• Electrical tingle if gel isn’t used or near the hairline.

A number of reviews mentioned there were problems with the device at around the 5 month mark. It is covered with a 1 year warranty so they were able to get a replacement.

Here are a few examples of NuFACE Trinity Reviews.

This 30 year old user noticed immediate results:

This user noted that her skin’s texture improved:

Nu Skin Galvanic Spa Review

Another famous facial toning device that has rave fans is the Nu Skin Galvanic Spa.

While this device bears many similarities to the NuFACE Trinity device, it uses slightly different technology and may give you somewhat different results.

Who Are Nu Skin?

Nu Skin is an American brand that was started in 1984. Their goal was to create personal care products made from healthy, chemical-free ingredients.

With their focus on high quality products, the company quickly developed an almost cult-like reputation.

The company’s products have been featured in Marie Claire, Elle, Vogue, Cosmopolitan, and more.

Their ageLOC Galvanic Spa is reportedly used by celebrities like Brad Pitt, Nicole Kidman, and Julia Roberts.

How Does the Nu Skin Galvanic Spa Work?

This device uses something called a galvanic current to pass a charge into the skin. It’s used together with their two facial gels: the Pre-Treatment gel and the Treatment Gel.

This current is soft and direct, flowing in one direction. It works to helps to deliver the key ingredients of the Pre-Treat and Treatment Gels into the skin making them more effective.

The device has a range of settings which you can adjust before starting the treatment.

How Exactly Does the Current Work?

Nu Skin’s galvanic current works by creating positive and negative charges to push the products into the skin.

If you’ve ever tried to press two batteries together, you’ll know that two positive sides repel each other. This device uses the same concept.

All of the Nu Skin gels and serums are either positively or negatively charged.

When the device is set to either positive or negative, it naturally repels the gel, effectively pushing it into the skin.

Nu Skin’s Pre-Treat and Treatment gels are included with the device bundle.

Afterwards they will need to be purchased separately for the device to work as they are essential for getting the results.

What Do Nu Skin’s Gels Do?

The Pre-Treat Gel is designed to remove impurities and to prepare the skin for the second gel in the treatment. Its main ingredients are marigold, sea kelp, and vanilla to soothe and condition.

The Treatment Gel contains a blend of ingredients that are specifically designed to target the signs of aging. These ingredients include the ageLOC blend, arginine to target stress, and magnesium to revitalize the skin.

It also attracts the impurities that the Pre-Treat Gel worked on, drawing them out from the skin.

What’s Included in the Set?

The Galvanic Spa comes with a range of attachments that will help you to target specific problem areas (including the body and the scalp) with the same device.

You’ll receive the full set of attachments with the Nu Skin Galvanic Spa:

• The ageLOC Galvanic Spa Device (with Face Conductor)
• The ageLOC Galvanic Spa Focus Area Conductor
• The ageLOC Galvanic Spa Body Conductor
• The ageLOC Galvanic Spa Scalp Conductor
• NuSkin Gels (1 box)
• An Owner Manual
• Two AAA batteries

With these four different conductors, you’ll not only be able to make the facial skin look younger and more toned, you’ll also be able to improve the health of hair growth, and improve the appearance of the rest of the body’s skin.

How Do You Use the Nu Skin Galvanic Spa?

Each attachment is designed to be used alongside a specific Nu Skin gel or serum.

For instance, the Face Conductor should be used with Nu Skin’s facial gels. Their pack of gels includes:

• The Pre-Treat Gel – to clear pores and impurities.
• The Treatment Gel – to remove the impurities, improve hydration, and reduce signs of aging.

They recommend using the device 2-3 times a week.

Each session takes 5 minutes. You start with one session with the Pre-Treat Gel. Then you move the setting and start another session with the Treatment Gel.

1. After cleansing the skin, begin with the Pre-Treat Gel. This comes in a small vial.
2. Spread almost all of the gel across the face and place a pea sized amount of the gel on the back of your Galvanic Spa device. This closes the circuit and helps the machine transport the product into your skin.
3. Next, press the button and select the appropriate setting for the product you are using. The instructions provide you with the correct setting.
4. Then make contact with the skin. You will hear 3 beeps and then a beep every 10 seconds. If it stops beeping at any time, you may need more gel.
5. Simply glide the device around the skin, moving upwards and outwards.
6. Hold the device in place on areas where you have impurities or deeper lines. Be sure to keep your fingers touching the back pad on the device where the excess gel was placed.
7. The device will start beeping when you’re 30 seconds away from the end of your treatment time.
8. After using the Pre-Treat gel, you repeat the same steps with the Treatment gel. You will need to set the device to the 3rd setting before you do this. The Treatment Gel will be able to pull impurities out of your skin and help deliver active ingredients within the gel to reduce wrinkle appearance.

Here’s a video guide of how to use the Galvanic Spa:

Does Nu Skin Really Work?

The Nu Skin Galvanic Spa has overwhelmingly positive reviews with users saying that it has helped improve their skin texture and make it more youthful.

It scored 4 stars out of 5 from 121 reviews across three websites (Influenster, Amazon, and Consumer Affairs).

Overall, users noted:

• Iron-like experience, with wrinkles disappearing in minutes, in some cases
• Clearer skin with less acne
• Improved skin texture
• Fewer acne scars
• Plumper skin, especially around the eyes

One user reported having a reaction to the device as she had sensitive skin but  the vast majority of the reviews didn’t have this experience.

Here are what a few users had to say.

This woman found that the device ironed out her wrinkles, saggy skin, and even acne scars:

This woman found that the product improved her skin, and even helped with her husband’s hair loss:

Do Facial Toning Devices Really Work?

Users of facial toning devices report seeing a dramatic difference in the tightness and tone of the skin in the face and neck.

They use direct skeletal muscle electrostimulation to send tiny electric currents into the skin. This encourages the muscles of the face to contract and the skin cells to produce collagen.

They help tone the muscles of the face, and improve the appearance and youthfulness of the skin.

Here are some of the benefits reported from microcurrent facial devices:

Facial toning devices can transform the appearance of the skin and even of the face’s muscular structure.

While they can offer noticeable results, they come at a fraction of the price of a professional treatment.

What Are the Alternatives?

Alternatives to these devices include:

1. Doing nothing.
2. Doing in-spa treatments. These tend to cost a few thousand dollars, often with some pain or discomfort and several days downtime.
3. Doing active facial exercises which were popular in the 1980s before these devices existed. However these won’t have the effects on the skin discussed above.

Facial toning devices offer a more affordable, practical way to stimulate facial muscles.

Which is the Best Facial Toning Device, NuFACE or Nu Skin?

Both devices are capable of providing visible changes in your skin but they work in different ways.

The NuFACE Trinity sends small microcurrents into the skin. These stimulate contractions of the facial muscles in order to tone and lift the face. They also stimulates the production of collagen in the skin’s cells.

The Nu Skin Galvanic Spa uses galvanic current technology to transport wrinkle reducing products deeper into the skin. It uses electric charges to push their specific anti-aging gels deep into the skin where they can have a more noticeable effect on the skin’s texture.

NuFACE’s Trinity device may be the best option for people hoping to improve the contours of their face and get a lifted appearance of their skin.

Nu Skin’s Galvanic Spa on the other hand may suit women hoping to rejuvenate their complexion and iron out wrinkles.

While they use different types of technology, both devices can deliver fast results. Whichever device you choose, we hope it gives you a more toned, refreshed look.

Other Products in the NuFACE Range

NuFACE’s main product is their Trinity toning device with the standard microcurrent attachment (the silver balls).

However, they also have a range of other related products and add-ons:

• NuFACE Mini (more portable device). For more details see our comparison NuFACE Mini vs Trinity
• NuFACE FIX (for eyes, lips and forehead)
• NuBODY (body toning device)
• NuFACE Trinity with Wrinkle Reducer (red light therapy)
• NuFACE Trinity Effective Lip & Eye (ELE attachment for lip and eye area)
• NuFACE Trinity Complete Kit (with both ELE and Wrinkle Reducer attachments)

NuFACE UK Orders

Cult Beauty have most NuFACE devices and feature regular offers: NuFACE range

Other Products in the Nu Skin Range

In addition to the Galvanic Spa package, Nu Skin offers a range of other products for skin concerns.

Some of these gels and serums are designed to work with the device.

• Nu Skin Galvanic Spa Facial Gels
• Nu Skin Galvanic Body Spa Trio
• Nu Skin Tru Face Line Corrector
• Nu Skin AgeLOC Body Shaping Gel

By using these various gels with the range of attachments that come with the Galvanic Spa, you’ll be able to target other issues like cellulite, hair loss, and more.

NuFACE Alternatives

If you want to see how the NuFACE Trinity stacks up against other microcurrent devices, you can find side-by-side comparisons here for Ziip, MyoLift and NuFACE Mini devices:

NuFACE Trinity vs Ziip, What’s the Difference?

NuFACE Trinity vs MyoLift, Which Microcurrent Device to Choose?

NuFACE Mini vs NuFACE Trinity, Which is the Better Investment?

*Offers are subject to availability and to the supplier’s terms and conditions at time of ordering. Please check supplier’s website for full details.