Two of My Favorite Products Just Won Shape Awards. And Honestly, I'm Not Surprised

If you've been around here for a while, you know I talk about Epionce a lot. Like, a lot a lot. And every time I do, I promise you it's not because I'm looking for things to say—it's because these products keep showing up for my clients in ways that genuinely move the needle.

So when Shape magazine released their 2026 Skin Awards, and two of my go-to Epionce products landed on the list … I did a little happy dance. And then I pulled out my laptop to tell you about it.

Best Night Cream: Epionce Renewal Facial Cream

Shape put it well: your skin spends its daytime hours fighting off the world. Night is when it finally gets to repair. And what sets this cream apart, according to both the editors and my own experience with clients, is that it actually works with your body's natural sleep cycle rather than just sitting on your face until morning.

The formula is built on botanical lipids (meadowfoam, flaxseed, safflower, rosehip, and avocado) that restore your skin's moisture barrier rather than just sealing the surface. That distinction matters. Many moisturizers create a feeling of hydration. This one is helping your barrier function better over time, which means calmer, more resilient skin across the board.

It also brings antioxidant protection through apple and date fruit extracts to help slow visible aging, and it's clinically proven to deliver better anti-aging results than leading retinoids when paired with an Epionce Lytic product. No purging, no peeling, no "trust the process" phase that tanks your confidence for six weeks. Just consistent, calm improvement.For dry, sensitive, or barrier-compromised skin? This one is genuinely worth the investment.

Best Lotion for Hormonal Skin: Epionce Lytic Tx Retexturizing Lotion

Hormonal acne can be one of the most frustrating skin concerns from personal and client experience. Most products either over-dry, under-deliver, or aren't formulated for how hormonal breakouts behave. The Lytic Tx is different.

Shape highlighted something I've been saying for years: this lotion targets the stubborn, hardened congestion that tends to show up along the jawline and cheeks during hormonal flare-ups; the kind that doesn't respond well to standard acne treatments. It minimizes active breakouts and calms redness without stripping the skin, which is a combination that's harder to find than it should be.

The ingredient trio doing the heavy lifting: 2% salicylic acid to clear pores and manage oil, azelaic acid to address bacteria and fade post-blemish dark spots, and willow bark extract to soothe inflammation throughout. Fragrance-free, paraben-free, vegan, and genuinely effective for a wide range of skin types.

One thing to know: apply to clean skin and give it five to seven minutes before layering other products. That wait time is doing real work, letting the actives absorb and settle before anything else comes on top.

And as Shape noted, it works best when paired with a Renewal Facial product. The Lytic clears and retexturizes; the Renewal restores and hydrates. Together, they cover a lot of ground.

So … what does this mean for you?

It's always a good feeling when products you've trusted for years get the spotlight they deserve. I've seen them work on real people with real skin concerns, and that always matters more to me than any trophy.

If you've been curious about either of these, now might be a great time to explore whether they're a fit for your routine. Not sure where to start? The Skincare Matchmaker Quiz can help point you toward the right products in the right order, because that's always the goal. Not the most products. The right ones.