Epicuren Blog
Shower Gel Vs. Body Wash: What’s The Difference And Why Does It Matter?
It’s something you never noticed, but once you do, you can’t stop seeing it: products that seem to have identical purposes, textures, and ingredients are called subtly different things. When you’re looking for a professional-grade clean that won’t dry you out, you may start asking about the difference between shower gel and body wash, and which is better for your skin on a daily basis. The answer has less to do with semantics and more with what your all natural body cleansing products are made of—and how those ingredients work with different skin types. The Slight Difference Between Shower Gel and Body Wash Basically, the difference between gels and washes is the consistency. Products called body washes are thinner and runnier, more like liquid hand soap or dish soap. Shower gels, by contrast, have a gel-like consistency and are usually not runny. Although shower gel and body wash generally accomplish the same task of cleansing skin from dirt, sweat, and dead skin cells, shower gels tend to be more aggressive products, which can overly dry out skin. Body washes, on the other hand, are typically more gentle, leading to increased moisturization results. Ultimately though, whether a specific product is termed a gel or a wash doesn’t matter as much as what’s in the product. Choosing high-quality formulas like those in Epicuren Discovery’s body care line will be best to provide luxurious skin with enticing scents. What to Look For in Body Care Products Since shower gel and body wash aren’t so different despite their competing names, where does that leave the person interested in getting the best body care products for their highly personalized needs? First, it takes knowing the skin you’re in. Do you struggle to stay moisturized throughout the day? Are you prone to acne? Do you have combination skin? Only when you have a grasp of what your body naturally tends toward can you look for products that will address your unique needs. Normal and Dry Skin Cleansers For people with skin that tends to dry out during the day, especially in specific problem areas like the knees, hands, and elbows, a mild body wash is likely to be the preferred treatment. Epicuren Discovery’s Tropical Lave and Rosemary Lave body cleansers are perfect choices for daily cleansing care for dry skin, with a mild formula and a spa-worthy scent. If you still experience dryness, try an after-bath solution, like our top-selling Kukui Coconut moisturizer, that is specifically designed for locking in moisture after a shower. Oily and Blemish-Prone Skin Products People with acne or overly oily skin know that even the best, deepest cleanse rarely seems to last a day. However, giving your skin the moisture it needs can reduce the amount of oil you produce, keeping your pores clear and acne at bay. For long-lasting moisture after your daily cleansing routine, use Epicuren Discovery’s Coconut Hydrating Milk, a professional-grade hydrating solution for all-day moisturizing. Professional-Grade Shower Gels and Body Washes At Epicuren Discovery, our facial and body skincare products are designed with potent ingredients and formulas backed by decades of scientific research. Plus, many of our body washes, facial cleansers, and moisturizers are cruelty-free, sourced from sustainable processes, and packaged in recyclable containers so you can feel good about what you buy. To learn which of our products is best for your unique skin type, take our Skin Quiz for personalized recommendations.
Learn more
Skincare Differences Between Women and Men
Although there are many things that make us all similar regardless of gender, when it comes to high-quality skincare, the few differences can make a significant difference in the choice of products that are best suited to people’s individual needs. To truly hone in on the products that are most effective to you, it helps to know the subtle differences going on beneath the skin. Skincare For Women As the major driving force for the skincare and beauty product market, women have an overwhelming number of options when it comes to creating a personalized skincare routine. However, when you practice sifting through the noise and finding what works for you, you become more engaged with your skincare routine, and therefore have a better idea of what your skin needs from your products at any given time. This is helpful because with regular hormonal changes through puberty, pregnancy, and menopause, a woman’s skincare needs can change dramatically throughout her life. This means that a flexible skincare routine may prove to be the most effective, and typically requires the broadest range of products to have on-hand. Physical differences such as having slightly thinner and less oily skin than men means that skincare products for women tend to be richer in texture and more focused on moisturizing. In addition, women usually show signs of aging earlier than men, meaning anti-aging products are relevant earlier in life than for men. Skincare For Men Although the gender differences in the physical aspects of skin are minimal, they are significant, meaning men should focus on a few key areas beyond the universal skincare routine. Men have thicker skin with larger and greater density of pores than women, meaning they are more acne-prone than women, and overly greasy or thick moisturizing products may not be good for their skin. Men who shave also must take special care during and after shaving. Having proper lubrication and protection, as well as using a sharp blade, can help reduce skin irritation and risk of razor burn or bumps. And after finishing shaving, treating the area with a light moisturizer can help restore the affected area and protect it from further damage. Although men tend to display the signs of aging later than women, once they appear, they progress more rapidly. This means that although they have their differences, men and women alike can benefit from anti-aging skincare routines before it starts to show. Learn More With Our Skin Quiz If you’re looking for professional-grade skincare products that perfectly match your natural skin condition, take Epicuren Discovery’s best skin care quiz. Our cleansers, exfoliators, moisturizers, and toners can take your routine to the next level by blending decades of scientific research with ingredients and sustainability efforts to give you peace of mind.
Learn more
Skincare Products For Skin of Any Age
Your skin is perhaps one of the most important organs of your body, which means keeping it healthy is vital to your overall health and wellness. Keeping skin clean, moisturized, and protected from wear and tear not only helps you look youthful and radiant, but also can help reduce the risk of skin disease and cancer. This means it’s important to use high quality skincare products throughout your life, as your concerns shift from acne to wrinkles and anything in between. Skincare Products for Teens & Early 20’s The problem that plagues almost every teenager into their early 20s is, of course, acne. However, when you’re just starting to craft a skincare routine, undergoing the hormonal changes of adolescence, it can be hard to know what products will work for your unique skin type and condition. No matter how much experience you have with skincare products, Epicuren Discovery’s skin quiz can help point you toward the cleansers and moisturizers to help treat acne and keep your skin clear and healthy. Skincare Products for Ages 30 to 40 When your skincare needs are no longer primarily concerned with treating an acute issue like acne, your attention shifts toward preserving your youthful glow and preventing early signs of aging. In your 30s and 40s, you may be better helped by treatments that go beyond a daily routine, including professional-grade masks and premium sun protection products. At this stage, you’ll have learned what types of products work well with your skin, and you can choose to source your skincare products from providers who create cruelty free and environmentally friendly formulas. Skincare Products for Aging Skin At some point, we all feel the effects of aging on our skin. Depletion of collagen creates wrinkles, our youthful luster fades, and people start to look older than they feel. Because not everyone gets excellent skin care sets from an early age, Epicuren Discovery carries powerful anti-aging creams, serums, and gels to give your skin the best shot at restoring its former glow. From treating fine lines and wrinkles to tightening loose skin on the neck and face, our professional anti-aging products can provide significant results without the use of injections or surgery. Learn More With Epicuren Discovery No matter your age, you deserve the best of the best when it comes to skincare products. Revolutionize your routine with Epicuren Discovery’s potent cleansers, moisturizers, and sun care products. Take our custom skin care quiz today to explore products matched to your specific skin type and area of concern.
Learn more
Jump-Start Your Routine With The Best Facial Skin Toners
Looking for a simple way to get a truly radiant appearance, or to boost your acne treatments and get clear skin that lasts? A high-quality toner may be just the trick. However, not all toners are created equal. Just because a specific product is popular or widely available doesn’t mean it can have the same effect as a professional-grade toner. Let’s take a look at what separates the “meh” from the “wow!” and learn how a great toner can revitalize your skincare routine. What are Toners and How Do They Work? Toners can be formulated to address a wide variety of skin needs, from treating acne to balancing pH. In this way, they elevate your daily routine by amplifying the effects of cleansing and protecting skin provided by other products. After washing your face with a mild cleanser, you apply toner all over your face and neck—keeping your skin damp can help evenly distribute the solution. Based on the type of toner you select, this process can help further cleanse, exfoliate, restore nutrients, or simply help your skin better absorb other products you use. What to Avoid in Toners The fact that toners are such a broad category means that there is a wide spectrum between the best and worst toners, and it can be hard to know whether you’re buying an effective product. One way to rule out products is to check the ingredients. If one of the first few ingredients is an alcohol, this could be a red flag that it will make your skin overly dry. While it does reduce the sebum that can clog pores, alcohol is harsh on the skin and often strips away good compounds that help keep skin hydrated through the day. A natural alternative to alcohol is witch hazel, a compound derived from the witch hazel plant, which is used in Epicuren Discovery’s best-selling Protein Mist Enzyme Toner. Another warning that a toner may cause harm to your skin is a high concentration of salicylic acid. While in small doses this compound is highly effective at clearing acne, if too much is used it can cause skin irritation, redness, and itching. Finally, be wary of any synthetic fragrances, which can refer to any of a thousand or so chemicals that companies can sneak into products with the promise of a lux, rich scent. Instead, look for gentle fragrances achieved through including essential oils like lavender, citrus, or cucumber. What Makes Epicuren Discovery Toners Different? In addition to avoiding all the problematic formulas mentioned above, Epicuren Discovery’s products are guaranteed cruelty free and sustainably produced. Many of our toners contain natural and organically sourced ingredients. Also setting Epicuren Discovery apart from mass manufacturers is the decades of pharmaceutical enzyme research that power our most potent skincare products. We craft each formula meticulously, making sure each ingredient and every proportion is balanced to bring you the results you expect from a professional-grade product. What Toner is Right For Me? To find out what facial toners are best matched to your needs and skin type, take our Skin Quiz or try one of our best skin toners today! Our mission is to give you the most exceptional products with sustainable practices and formulas. Learn more about our story and our products by checking out customer reviews and testimonials.
Learn more
Why Exfoliation Is So Important For Your Skin
As many people know, a great skincare routine is incomplete without a regular rhythm of best face exfoliants—but why? What does exfoliating do, and what’s the best way to do it? As with many skincare-related questions, the answer depends on your goals and skin type. What is Exfoliation? Exfoliation is a process that scrubs pores clean and gently scrapes away dead skin cells to reveal fresh, new skin. This can be achieved in a few different ways, including using scrubs, a special exfoliating tool, or even chemicals designed to strip away the top layer of skin. How to Exfoliate Well Because exfoliation is a bit more aggressive than your best daily cleanser, it’s important to know the proper way to use exfoliators, peels, and polishes to avoid irritating or damaging skin. Most importantly, unless you have oily skin, its best to limit deep exfoliating to once or twice a week. Your choice of exfoliator is mostly a matter of preference. However, it’s worth taking a moment to assess your natural skin type, whether sensitive, combination, or normal, before buying the first scrub you see. Sensitive Skin Exfoliators If you struggle to find skin professional products that don’t cause irritation or stinging, exfoliators may not be right for you. However, Epicuren Discovery’s Pumpkin Apple Spice Peel is specifically formulated to bring balance and a renewed look to all skin types. With mild pumpkin enzymes and nourishing antioxidants, this peel can help protect and revitalize your appearance with regular use. Exfoliators for Oily Skin With oily skin, a major concern is keeping the skin cleansed without excessively drying it out. Weekly exfoliation with a potent formula designed to hydrate while dissolving dead skin cells in tough-to-reach places can do wonders for people with naturally oily skin. Our Micro-Derm Ultra-Refining Scrub gives your skin a professional treatment, leaving it smooth, perfectly hydrated, and flawless. Acne and Blemish Exfoliators Your acne treatment routine can get an effective boost from a high-quality exfoliator or mask to help detoxify skin and help new skin cells replace those infected by bacteria. Epicuren Discovery’s two-in-one solution for blemish and acne-prone skin, the Clarify Polishing Mask, does just that. First, the formula draws out dirt, oil, and toxins from the week’s wear and tear. Then, you scrub it away to reveal a revitalized look and a clean slate for your other all natural acne treatments. Professional-Grade Exfoliators by Epicuren Discovery Whether you’re looking for the most effective, professional-grade product, or a lighter, refreshing facial scrub, Epicuren Discovery has the best enzymatic exfoliator for you. Matched and recommended by skin type, our exfoliators, peels, and polishes leave your skin clean, fresh, and radiant, ready for whatever the week throws at it. Learn more about how our exfoliators and complete line of amazing skin care products that can help revolutionize your routine by taking our skin quiz today!
Learn more
Pregnancy Skincare Products
When you become pregnant, your whole life changes, from your diet to your wardrobe and everything in between. The drastic changes happening inside and out of your body can have a substantial impact on your skin, making products that worked last month completely ineffective this month. And above all, you want to find skincare products that help to address your pregnancy skincare concerns. Pregnancy Acne One of the most common issues pregnant women face is sudden outbreaks of acne, which can be especially annoying when you’ve had clear skin for years. However, some chemicals in acne products, such as retinoids, can pose a risk to your developing baby, or even end up in breast milk if breastfeeding. Using a simple, gentle cleanser with few ingredients, like our Herbal Cleanser, twice a day as part of your skincare routine can help the appearance of acne. As with any acne treatment, it's important both for the health of your skin barrier and also to ensure safety for your growing baby to not overdo cleansing with harsh ingredients like benzoyl peroxide. A blended formula that includes a low percentage may be okay, but a gentler approach with ingredients like azelaic acid might be better for your acne-prone skin when applied topically and conservatively. Pregnancy Lotions Another frustrating development in skincare during pregnancy is suddenly having drier skin than normal. As your body now needs to hydrate for two, it will find water wherever it can, sometimes leaving the skin with less moisture and causing unforeseen skin irritation. You may discover that higher-grade products, such as an aromatic face cream or hydrating and nourishing moisturizer can help leave your skin feeling soft, prevent the appearance of further moisture loss, and liven the senses during the process. For people with suddenly dry skin during pregnancy, this may also result in having more sensitive skin, and finding a truly hydrating pregnancy skincare routine is essential in keeping your skin vibrant. Our Moisture Surge Hyaluronic Acid Gel is a powerful gel that infuses your skin with rich but lightweight hydration to keep your skin feeling smooth and supple. Pregnancy Sunscreen Keeping your skin safe from harmful UV rays is one of the most important ways to prevent long-term skin damage and cancer, which is why you should always use sunscreen when exposed for long periods of time. However, some of the chemical-based sunscreens have not been confirmed to be safe for use during pregnancy, so you may need to consider mineral sunscreens instead. Sunscreens that include zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as their active ingredient, are known as mineral sunscreen formulas that are safe to use during pregnancy. Pregnancy Skin Care Ingredients Overall, keeping your skin moisturized and clear not only helps boost your self-esteem during pregnancy, but also for years to come. The best anti-aging strategy is to start while you’re ahead, using products packed with antioxidants like a vitamin C serum or products with vitamin K. While these can be isolated on their own, products made with green tea can also provide many beneficial results. Frequently Asked Questions About Pregnancy Skincare Can I Use Salicylic Acid During Pregnancy? Many people swear by alpha and beta hydroxy acids such as salicylic acid and glycolic acid in their toners and exfoliants as potent ingredients to reduce blemishes and clear pores, but are they safe to use during pregnancy? When included as less than 2% of a specific product, such as our Clarify Cleanser, is typically okay to use but we recommend that you consult with your doctor on using a product with Salicylic Acid during pregnancy. Stronger topical or prescription medications may not be safe, so again, consult with your doctor. What Ingredients Can Help With The Appearance of Stretch Marks? Stretch marks are caused by rapid skin stretching and can occur nearly anywhere in the body for this reason. Although there's no foolproof or one-size-fits-all proven way to prevent stretch marks, keeping your skin, especially stretching skin, highly moisturized and nourished with rich products like our Colostrum Luminous Glow Cream can help with the appearance of visible stretch marks. Pregnancy Skincare Products By Epicuren Discovery Hopefully now you've got a good understanding of what you should and shouldn't rely on during pregnancy to keep your skin looking and feeling great and protect your little loved one. Enjoy your pregnancy glow with Epicuren Discovery's complete collection of high-quality products made with natural essential oils and proven formulas for every skin type and season of life. Take our Skin Quiz to discover more products and remember to always consult your doctor before starting a drastically new skin care routine that may include ingredients that aren't right for you.
Learn more
Professional Grade Face Masks At Home
Sadly, many products marketed as providing deep hydration or treating blemishes simply don’t have strong enough formulas to be as effective as what you can get at a spa. At Epicuren Discovery’s online store, you can source professional grade face masks as part of a complete lineup of professional skincare products.
Learn more
Best Skincare Products For Men
No matter your gender, caring for your skin is an essential part of keeping it healthy and youthful looking for decades to come. However, when it comes to giving your skin the best daily care possible, what works well for female skin may not be what works best for men.
Learn more
How To Exfoliate At Home
Professional facials or treatments can exfoliate your skin, giving you a healthy, glowing look, but these aren’t always an option. Most people need a reliable way to exfoliate safely, and regularly at home. With so many products available, it’s difficult to decide which option is best for you. Here are some tips for the best methods of exfoliating at home.
Learn more
Get An In-Home Spa Experience With Just Three Simple Steps
In a world filled with chaos, it can be difficult to find ways to feel calm or even happy. Between wearing masks day in and day out and being unable to enjoy a friendly embrace, many of us have turned our self-care routines into rituals. And why not? Taking care of yourself from head to toe is one of the best ways to relax and rejuvenate simultaneously.Whether you decide to baby your bod on a daily basis or treat yourself once or twice a week, these three products will cleanse, polish, and protect your skin while taking your mind off your worries.Lather Up In LuxuryAromatherapy often benefits the mind just as much as natural ingredients benefit the body. In the case of cleansers, many commercial body wash products create a ton of foam initially, but the scent can be artificial and fade quickly. We created our Tropical Lave Body Cleanser, so you wouldn’t run out of bubbles or your favorite fragrance before you reached your feet. Our low-sudsing formula gently cleans and conditions your body with coconut-derived compounds instead of harsh surfactants. It hydrates the skin simultaneously thanks to coconut oil and gets its fragrance from natural fruit, flower, and seed extracts as well as essential oils. From the moment you apply this luxurious, silky emulsion to your puff to the moment you rinse off, you’ll be enveloped in a sensory experience that will take you away from your daily grind, leaving you refreshed and uplifted. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Epicuren Discovery (@epicuren) on May 28, 2020 at 4:50pm PDT Turn Your Shower Into a SpaThanks to COVID-19, you may have been locked down for at least a month or longer. During that time, your skin continued to push new cells to the top of the epidermis, known as the stratum corneum, and those dead skin cells may have changed your skin’s texture and tone. When you need to smooth out the bumps in your life and slough off all that ails you (at least the physical part), don’t forget your body. Spa services, like body polishing, may not be available right away, but at-home products, like our Papaya Pineapple Bamboo Body Polish, provide gentle exfoliation with mineral- and protein-rich bamboo stem extract. Sunflower, jojoba, and grapeseed oil also give skin a dose of concentrated hydration. After cleansing, gently apply the creamy scrub to your skin in small, circular motions. Rinse with tepid water to close your pores and lock in moisture. Used twice a week, your skin will feel smoother to the touch and look healthier. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Epicuren Discovery (@epicuren) on Mar 18, 2020 at 11:07am PDT Protect Your Skin By Sealing In HydrationWhile you could easily jump out of the shower and move on to other things, take the time to pamper your skin in one additional way. Moisturizing after bathing, especially while the skin is still damp, seals in moisture for all-day comfort. Epicuren’s After Bath Moisturizers are designed to complement other best body products or use independently. The skin’s natural moisturizing factors (NMF) help hold the skin cells together like the mortar between bricks. Dry skin allows moisture to escape, but a properly formulated moisturizer will prevent the water in the epidermis from evaporating (a process known as transepidermal water loss, or TEWL). When applied to damp skin, the occlusive ingredients in our After Bath Moisturizers trap moisture and bind it to the skin. Shea butter, as well as sesame seed, sunflower, jojoba seed, and avocado oils, keep skin feeling soft and hydrated all day long. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Epicuren Discovery (@epicuren) on Jun 26, 2020 at 1:46pm PDT Ultimately, we all need to care for our bodies, especially in times of stress. Making that process more enjoyable may be just what you need to feel better about yourself and the world around you.
Learn more
4 Reasons To Love Bulgarian Rose Otto Oil
Facial oils are becoming more and more popular in skincare regimens. We love this oil because it won't leave you greasy, and can be used to target specific concerns. Trust us!
Learn more
Want Better Anti-Aging Results? Add Vitamin C and Retinol to Your Daily Routine
On their own, Vitamin C and Retinol have their merits, but if you really hope to reap the benefits of high quality skincare products, you need to properly pair them and use them in a certain order. We can help with that!
Learn more