A Guide To Environ Concentrated Retinol Serums
Environ is a skincare line that I have been using for over 17 years. It was created by Dr. Des Fernandes, a South African based plastic surgeon who was looking to replace essential skin nutrients depleted by exposure to the sun and other environmental factors.
Dr. Fernandes’ focus is on vitamin A (retinol), which he considers the most crucial ingredient in maintaining optimal skin health, and his Concentrated Retinol Serums (1-3) are comprised of high concentrations of this key ingredient.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A works on both the dermis and the epidermis and has the ability to normalize skin cell function and influence the way cells behave. Its many benefits include:
- The promotion of healthy collagen and elastin production by stimulating fibroblasts (cells that produce collagen in the dermis)
- The normalization of oil production, which helps balance problematic skin
- The normalization of the process of pigmentation by working on tyrosinase, an enzyme that plays a vital role in the production of melanin
Vitamin A penetrates the skin, speeding up cellular turnover. Over time, lines become shallower, pores become less noticeable, and skin tone is more even and radiant. And it has to be replenished every day for maximum benefit.
Using Environ's "Step-Up" System
And while vitamin A-related retinoids are often associated with redness and irritation, Dr. Fernandes’ unique “step-up system” allows the user to become accustomed to a low dose of the vitamin, before ramping up to progressively higher potencies.
For best practice, after cleansing and toning, begin by adding 1 drop of the serum to your proper moisturizer, and if your skin is reacting well, continue to add more drops or you can use the serum on its own and apply moisturizer over it.
The skin may feel uncomfortable when first using Retinol Serum 1 and this transient irritation of the skin may re-occur during each step-up in the Intensive Retinol regime. If an irritation (dry skin with a rash) should develop it is recommended that the frequency of application be reduced from every other day or even every third or fourth day until the skin becomes comfortable.
