Discover the Epionce Story
Combining Dedicated Research and Botanical Ingredients to Create Effective Skin Care
May 1989
Dr. Carl Thornfeldt developed a theory about what was driving the skin concerns his patients were facing. He spent the next thirteen years working with different research teams doing breakthrough research. First they made groundbreaking discoveries in how the skin functions. Then they did original research on therapeutic botanical ingredients and delivery systems. All of this exceptional research was considered in the creation of the Epionce product line. The level of fundamental and innovative research that was incorporated into Epionce is one of the things that makes the Epionce products unique. The products are not created by a private label manufacturer who is creating similar formulations for multiple brands, but rather the technology and ingredients are exclusive to the Epionce brand.
OCTOBER 12, 2002
After years of trial and error, Dr. Thornfeldt partnered with a formulation chemist previously employed at one of the major beauty companies in the world. Together they developed the initial Epionce product offerings, formed the company Episciences, Inc., and launched the Epionce product line at Dr. Thornfeldt’s medical practice.
RENEWAL FACIAL CREAM STUDY
Dr. Thornfeldt believed that it was imperative for the Epionce products to be backed by the kind of clinical studies he would expect to see as a physician. He wanted to ensure that the technologies in the Epionce products moved beyond theory, but could be proven to actually work through rigorous clinical testing. Dr. Thornfeldt was a pioneer in demanding high quality, thorough testing on market-ready products for cosmetics. The Epionce Renewal Facial Cream paired with the Lytic Tx were the first non-prescription products to take on the top retinoids in head-to-head clinical studies. The results were clear – the study participants and physician investigators saw the same anti-aging results, but without irritation reactions often associated with retinoid use.
May 2003 Lytic Gel Cleanser Launch
Award winning Lytic Gel Cleanser was launched as an answer to many other cleansers which strip the skin of the oils necessary to keep it healthy. It has since become an Epionce favorite, and is a must-have for anyone who wants to feel like their skin is deeply clean without feeling dry or tight.
August 2003 Move to Boise
In the early days of Epionce, the co-founder and formulation chemist were based in the New York area, while Dr. Thornfeldt’s medical practice was in rural Idaho. The Epionce brand was growing, and it was time to consolidate their efforts and open an office where they could work together more closely. An office space was chosen in Boise, Idaho, and the first official Epionce headquarters was opened.
February 2005 Intensive Nourishing Cream Launch
Dr. Thornfeldt’s mother told him that while she loved the Renewal Facial Cream, sometimes she felt her skin needed a bit “more.” He took her comments to heart, and developed what became the Intensive Nourishing Cream. He incorporated the same concepts as the Renewal Facial Cream and Lite Lytic Tx, utilized different ingredients, and created a new, luxuriously thick cream that has become a mainstay for very photodamaged skin. The Intensive Nourishing Cream can be used to help reduce visible redness in the skin, is a wonderful night cream and is the answer for visible aging on the neck and décolleté.
2006 FACILITY EXPANSION
As the popularity of Epionce continued to grow, it was time to move into a much larger building in order to have space for increased manufacturing and distribution needs. Portions of the building have since been remodeled a number of times to accommodate the growing manufacturing needs, and is a FDA inspected, GMP compliant drug manufacturing facility.
October 2007 Launched in Europe
Epionce was brought into the European market. Since the initial launch in the United Kingdom, Epionce can now also be found in Ireland, Poland, the Baltics, and Scandinavia.
February 2010 Launched in Hong Kong
Epionce launched in the Hong Kong market in February of 2010.
April 2010 MelanoLyte Launch
Dr. Thornfeldt had many patients struggling with dark spots that were not responding well to the traditional hydroquinone, retinol, kojic acid or arbutin topical options. He wanted to utilize a different approach to addressing this concern. The technology behind the MelanoLyte products took a number of years to develop, and then the products were put through a clinical study against the leading hydroquinone and retinol-based treatment regimen. The MelanoLyte products provided the same visible benefits but without the visible redness and sensitivity.
2011 REBRAND
During 2011 and into 2012, the Epionce brand underwent a complete brand re-launch with a new logo and brand concept. The original logo with a dated font was refreshed with a new elegant script that alludes to the elegant and premium nature of the Epionce products.
March 2013 Intense Defense Serum Launch
Many patients had been asking for a serum to supplement the effects of the other Epionce products. Dr. Thornfeldt had received a minor in Nutrition while in university, and believes that often the skin cells are nutritionally deficient. He wanted a solution that would be comprehensive to help the long term visible health of the skin. After years of research, the Intense Defense Serum was created as the first complete multivitamin serum for the skin. Keeping with Epionce tradition, Dr. Thornfeldt tested the product against leading serums in the medical skin care channel in head-t0-head clinical studies. The Intense Defense Serum provided benefits faster and more completely than those other products.
December 2015
The Epionce product line was announced as Winner of Best Topical Skincare at THE Aesthetic Industry Awards in 2015
Multi-Year Award Winner Lytic Gel Cleanser
Multiple award-winning Epionce Lytic Gel Cleanser was named “Cleanser You Can Really Feel Working” in the Beauty Choice Awards presented by NewBeauty Magazine three years in a row 2016, 2017 and 2018, and the “Best Gel Cleanser” in 2020, 2021 and “Favorite Gel Cleanser” in 2023. It was also named “Best Cleanser” by Shape Magazine in the 2021 Shape Beauty Awards.
2018 Grand Opening of New Epionce Manufacturing Facility
In 2018 the new expanded Epionce manufacturing facility was built. Exponentially increasing manufacturing capacity, the approximately 18,500 sq. ft. building increases production and research capabilities.
March 2019 - Purifying Spot Gel
Epionce Purifying Spot Gel was named NewBeauty 2019 Award Winner for “Best Spot Treatment!”
Selected "Best Place to Work in Idaho"
April 2019, selected as one of the “Best Places to Work” in Idaho. Episciences, Inc. is thankful to every team member committed to bringing Epionce to market – one of the most highly effective non-prescription botanical skin care lines to date.
2020/2022 – Intensive Nourishing Cream
Epionce Intensive Nourishing Cream was awarded “Best Rich Moisturizer for Dry Skin” by Women’s Health Magazine in 2020 and “Best for Dry Skin” in 2022 by Prevention Magazine.
March 2022 – Intense Defense Serum
Epionce anti-aging Intense Defense Serum was awarded “Best Botanical Serum” by NewBeauty Magazine in 2022.
May 2022 – Luminous Eye Serum
Newly launched in 2021, Epionce Luminous Eye Serum was named a “Next-Level Treatment” by Shape Magazine in 2022.
June 2023 – Renewal Facial Lotion
Epionce Renewal Facial Lotion was named “Best Daytime Moisturizer” by InStyle Magazine in 2023.
October 2023 Grand Opening of New Epionce Distribution Center
In 2023 a new Epionce distribution center was opened in Houston to support the growing popularity of the Epionce skincare brand in the central and eastern United States. The Houston distribution center more than doubled Episciences, Inc.’s processing capacity of Epionce products.
August 2023 - Renewal Lite Facial Lotion
Epionce Renewal Lite Facial Lotion was awarded “Best Moisturizer for Oily-Prone Skin” in the 2023 Oprah Daily Editor’s Choice Awards.
July 2024 - Renewal Facial Cream
Epionce Renewal Facial Cream was honored with a 2024 Best Products award for “Best Natural Face Moisturizer.”
July 2024 - Daily Shield Tinted SPF 50 Sunscreen
Epionce Daily Shield Tinted SPF 50 was awarded “Best Doctor-Created Sunscreen” by Best Products in 2024.
August 2024 - Purifying Wash
Epionce Purifying Wash was named “Best Cleanser” by Shape Magazine in the 2024 Shape Beauty Awards.
September 2024 Intense Recharge Mask Launch
July/August 2024 - Renewal Lite Facial Lotion
Renewal Lite Facial Lotion was awarded “Best Moisturizer for Oily Skin” in the 2024 NewBeauty Awards and “Favorite Moisturizer for Oily Skin” in the 2024 NewBeauty Readers’ Choice Awards.
October 2024 - Restorative Hand Cream
In October of 2024, Restorative Hand Cream was named “Best Hand Cream” by InStyle’s Readers’ Choice Beauty Awards 2024
November 2024 - Intense Recharge Mask
In November of 2024, shortly after its launch, Intense Recharge Mask was named “Best Clay Mask” in the 2024 Shape Beauty Awards.
HEAR THE EPIONCE STORY
FROM FOUNDER
DR. CARL THORNFELDT
simple. effective. proven.