Let’s Talk Vitamin A & Skin Consultations with Environ Skincare

Do you want to know more about professional skincare brand Environ? We sat down with our friends at the International Institute of Anti-Ageing (IIAA) to talk all about the South African born skincare brand, Vitamin A and the Environ consultation process. Read on to find out more…

Why is Vitamin A a key ingredient in Environ products?

Since 1990, Environ has used high doses of effective ingredients in their skincare products, with Vitamin A as the cornerstone ingredient of the range. Vitamin A is an essential nutrient for keeping skin healthy, but it is degraded by factors including sun exposure and disappears from the skin very quickly. Vitamin A needs to be replaced each day in order to achieve a healthy and youthful appearance.

The founder and scientific director of Environ, Dr Des Fernandes, explains its importance as a skincare ingredient: “Ageing skin is a direct result of sun-induced vitamin A deficiency. Correct the deficiency and you’ll have more radiant looking skin”.

It has been proven that sufficient vitamin A:

• Promotes the effect of skin’s natural moisturisers: giving you a radiant glow.
• Strengthens the effect of skin’s outer layer: keeping it looking firm.
• Stimulates the production of natural proteins (such as collagen and elastin): keeping skin looking healthy.
• Supports the effects of the skin’s immune system and helps prevent breakouts.
• Assists in reducing the likelihood of developing potential skin cancers.

Why do I need a consultation before purchasing Environ products?

Vitamin A needs to be slowly introduced to the skin to avoid any retinoid response, when skin can become flaky or irritated. This reaction can happen if skin is not gradually acclimated to high levels of active vitamin A and is why Environ created the world’s first vitamin ‘Step-Up System’.

This system is designed to help skin gradually and comfortably acclimatise to increasing levels of vitamin A and other key ingredients that will keep skin looking healthy and beautiful.

With a consultation, the skincare specialists at Face the Future can ensure you are using the best, most appropriate products for your skin – whether you are new to vitamin A and actives, or have been using Environ products for years. They will help you find the Environ products that will comfortably and effectively target skin concerns such as:

• Pigmentation
• Sun damage
• Dry skin
• Ageing skin
• Skin sensitivity
• Breakouts

Start low and go slow with Environ Vitamin Step-Up System

Environ’s Skin EssentiA range is the perfect way to start your journey to beautiful skin. This range combines the highly effective vitamins, antioxidants and peptides your skin needs and is the ideal introduction to the powers of vitamin A.

The Skin EssentiA Vita-Antioxidant AVST vitamin A moisturisers slowly introduce the nutrient to your skin, to help normalise and rebuild skin cells.

Using the complete Skin EssentiA Vita-Antioxidant AVST Step-Up System:

Start by using the Skin EssentiA Mild Cleansing Lotion or Low Foam Cleansing Gel.

Once you have cleansed, follow with the Moisturising Toner.

Then your Skin EssentiA AVST moisturiser.

We advise you begin by using 2 to 3 containers of AVST 1, which contains lower levels of vitamin A, until your skin is completely comfortable with these vitamin levels.

After this, move on to the second level moisturiser, AVST 2, with the next highest amount of vitamin A and other ingredients. Again, we recommend that you use 2 to 3 containers of this more potent formulation until your skin is comfortable, before moving to the next level.

Continue this process until you reach the top level of the ‘Step-Up System’ – AVST 5 – the moisturiser with the highest amount of vitamin A and other healthy skin essential nutrients.

On this journey, you will notice your skin becoming smoother, younger looking and more radiant. Once you have achieved the top level your skin should look and feel the best it can be!

How do I maintain my new skin care regime?

Once you have completed the ‘Step-Up System’ and are at the top level, we suggest you maintain use with this tier of products. If you allow your vitamin A use to lapse, please be aware that you will need to restart your routine using lower levels of vitamin A, to comfortably re-acclimatise your skin.

Don't forget to keep the Face the Future team up to date with your progress and do not hesitate in contacting us if you have any questions about your skin or Environ products.

Remember: when it comes to Vitamin A…START LOW AND GO SLOW.

Good luck on your journey to achieving beautiful healthy skin – we can’t wait for you to see the results!

Shop the entire Environ range at Face the Future here! For personalised skincare advice, take our online skin test now and receive personalised product recommendations direct to your inbox.

Written for you by: Alex, Face the Future & Siobhain, IIAA