The Cleanest Medical Grade Skincare I Cannot Get Enough Of

Why This Skincare Line Is Different

When it comes to skincare, I have tried my fair share of products. Like many people, I have spent years looking for products that actually make a noticeable difference without leaving my skin feeling overwhelmed by a long list of ingredients.
Over the past month, I have been using Epicutis, a professional skincare line that takes a very different approach to skin health. What initially caught my attention was the brand’s focus on science, ingredient transparency, and skin barrier health. After using the products consistently, I can honestly say that Epicutis has changed the way I think about skincare.

At FNDATN Functional Medicine & Aesthetics, we believe that healthy skin is about more than simply treating what we see on the surface. The skin is our largest organ, and supporting its health means paying attention to the ingredients we use, the integrity of the skin barrier, and how our skincare fits into the bigger picture of overall wellness.

That is what makes Epicutis such an interesting addition to our approach.

So, What Is Epicutis?

Epicutis is a professional skincare brand built around biotechnology and skin science. The company was developed out of Signum Biosciences, a biotechnology company with roots in Princeton University research, and its philosophy is centered around developing ingredients based on research rather than following the latest skincare trend, and that distinction matters.

There is no shortage of skincare products promising brighter, smoother, younger-looking skin. But I appreciate that Epicutis approaches skincare from a different direction: how can we support the skin itself so that it can function better?

Rather than creating complicated routines with dozens of active ingredients, Epicutis focuses on a relatively simple collection of products designed to support hydration, the skin barrier, and overall skin health.
The brand also places a strong emphasis on ingredient transparency. Epicutis products are EWG Verified, meaning their formulations have gone through EWG’s verification standards for ingredient transparency and health. EWG’s database currently lists nine Epicutis products as EWG Verified. Epicutis is also fragrance-free, sulfate-free, paraben-free, and does not test its products on animals. For me, that combination of science + simplicity + transparency is what initially made the brand stand out.

My Experience Using Epicutis

I went into trying Epicutis with an open mind. I wasn’t necessarily looking for another skincare routine or expecting one product to completely transform my skin.
Instead, I wanted to see what would happen when I consistently used products designed to support the skin barrier and hydration.

After about a month, one of the biggest things I noticed was how comfortable my skin felt.

My skin felt hydrated without feeling heavy or greasy, and it had a healthier-looking appearance overall. I also noticed that I didn’t feel the need to constantly add another product to my routine. There was something refreshing about using a few thoughtfully formulated products instead of layering product after product.
And while everyone’s skin is different, that simplicity has been one of my favorite parts of the experience.

The Lipid Serum
The Lipid Serum has quickly become one of my favorite products in the line.
It is a lightweight serum designed to support hydration and the skin barrier, and it contains a unique ingredient called TSC, along with glycerin and sodium hyaluronate. EWG’s Skin Deep database lists the Lipid Serum as EWG Verified.
What I love most is the texture. It feels light when applied but leaves my skin feeling noticeably glowy, hydrated, and comfortable.
This has become one of those products that I genuinely look forward to putting on rather than something I feel like I have to use.

HYVIA Crème
The HYVIA Crème is a richer moisturizer that I especially appreciate when my skin needs a little extra support.
It contains ingredients including chia seed oil, ceramide NP, shea butter, meadowfoam seed oil, and other skin-conditioning ingredients. It is also EWG Verified.
I tend to think of this as my “comfort” product- the one I reach for when my skin feels dry or needs a little more hydration.

The Oil Cleanser
One of the biggest surprises for me was how much I enjoyed using an oil cleanser.
The Epicutis Oil Cleanser uses a blend of oils, including sunflower seed oil, meadowfoam seed oil, macadamia seed oil, and chia seed oil. It is also EWG Verified.
An oil cleanser might sound counterintuitive if you are someone who has been taught that oil equals clogged pores or breakouts. But cleansing does not have to mean stripping the skin of everything, including the things it actually needs.
That idea is a big part of what I appreciate about Epicutis.

Why Skin Barrier Health Matters
One of the biggest takeaways from using Epicutis has been thinking more about the skin barrier.
Your skin barrier is essentially your body’s first line of defense between you and the outside world. It helps keep moisture in while providing protection from environmental stressors.
When that barrier becomes compromised, skin can become dry, irritated, sensitive, or reactive. Sometimes the answer isn’t adding a stronger active ingredient- it may actually be giving the skin a chance to recover.
This is where I think Epicutis really fits into the philosophy of FNDATN.
In functional medicine, we often talk about looking beyond the symptom and asking what is happening underneath it. I think skincare can be approached in a similar way.
Instead of constantly asking, “What product will make this problem disappear?”, we can also ask, “What does my skin actually need to be healthy?”

What Makes Epicutis Different?

There are three things that stand out to me about the brand.

1. It is science-driven.
Epicutis was born out of biotechnology research rather than simply starting with a cosmetic trend. The company describes its development process as one that prioritizes research, ingredient safety, and efficacy before products reach the market.

2. The ingredient lists are intentionally thoughtful.
Epicutis doesn’t rely on huge ingredient lists to make its products sound impressive. The formulations are relatively streamlined, with a focus on specific ingredients and their purpose.

3. It takes transparency seriously.
EWG Verified products must disclose their ingredients and meet EWG’s criteria regarding ingredient safety and transparency. That doesn’t mean that one skincare line is automatically right for everyone. Skin is incredibly individual, and what works beautifully for one person may not work the same way for another. But I appreciate knowing why a product was formulated and being able to understand what I’m putting on my skin.

Skincare Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated
If there is one thing I have learned from my experience with Epicutis, it is that a good skincare routine doesn’t necessarily need to have ten steps. Sometimes, more isn’t better. A thoughtful cleanser, a hydrating serum, a moisturizer, and daily sun protection can go a long way. From there, your routine can be customized based on your skin’s individual needs.

At FNDATN, our goal isn’t to convince everyone that they need the same products. It’s to help our patients understand their skin and find an approach that makes sense for them.

For me, Epicutis has become a great example of what that can look like: science-backed skincare that prioritizes the health of the skin rather than simply covering up the symptoms.

And after a month of using it, I can say that my skin feels healthier, more hydrated, and, perhaps most importantly, I feel confident in what I’m putting on it.

That is something I can get behind.
Interested in Trying Epicutis?

Epicutis is available for purchase in our office, and our team at FNDATN is happy to help you determine which products may be appropriate for your skin and your goals.

If you’re already using a complicated skincare routine, experiencing sensitivity or dryness, or simply want to take a more thoughtful approach to your skincare, we’d love to help you build a routine that supports your skin rather than overwhelms it.

Healthy skin starts with understanding what it needs.
Book a skincare consultation today.