The Duo I Trust to Prep Skin for Smoother Texture

’ve treated a lot of skin over the years—from 20-somethings getting ahead of early fine lines to clients in their 40s or 50s trying to maintain firmness and glow. One of the most common mistakes I see? Using a cleanser that’s way too harsh.

Cleansing is the first step in your routine, but if it strips your skin or disrupts your barrier, it’s setting you up for dehydration, dullness, and yes—accelerated fine lines.

That’s why I use the Epicutis Cleansing Essentials Set in my clinic. It’s a gentle yet effective duo designed to prep the skin for active treatments—without damaging your moisture barrier or causing irritation.

Let’s Talk Ingredients

What makes this set special isn’t just what’s in it—it’s what it doesn’t include. No sulfates, no harsh surfactants, no synthetic fragrance. Just clinically proven ingredients that work with your skin, not against it.

HYVIA (Biotech-Enhanced Chia Seed Oil)
This is one of my favorite ingredients across the Epicutis line. HYVIA deeply hydrates while actively reducing inflammation at the cellular level. When skin is hydrated and calm, it naturally looks smoother and more resilient.

Hinoki Wood Oil
This calming botanical extract from Japanese cypress has natural anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. It soothes stressed-out skin and supports clarity, which is crucial when you're working to reduce fine lines without adding reactivity.

Sunflower Seed Oil
This underrated hero ingredient is rich in linoleic acid and vitamin E, which help nourish the skin barrier and maintain elasticity. It doesn’t clog pores and actually helps lock in moisture, which can soften the look of fine lines over time.

Usage Tips from the Clinic

• Use the Oil Cleanser as a first cleanse, especially if you wear sunscreen or makeup. Massage gently into dry skin before rinsing.

• Follow with the Enzyme Cleanser for a gentle exfoliation that won’t strip your skin. It’s especially good for smoothing texture without irritation.

• Avoid over-cleansing. Morning and evening is enough—more than that, and you risk over-drying your skin.

• Use with a clean washcloth or hands—never a scrub brush. Aging skin doesn’t need aggressive tools to be effectively cleansed.

Final Thoughts

There’s a reason I focus so much on the basics at my clinic. You can layer on every serum and retinoid under the sun, but if your skin is stripped and inflamed before you even start, you won’t see the results you want.

The Epicutis Cleansing Essentials Set is what I recommend for clients who are serious about minimizing fine lines—but want to do it gently, consistently, and without stressing the skin.

Ready to create a skincare plan that actually works for your skin type and concerns? Book an in-person or virtual session and we’ll walk through it together.