SPONSORED: We visit the Environ Skin Care Institute in Cape Town for a remarkable skin treatment and an enlightening Q&A session with none other than Dr Des Fernandes, the visionary and scientific pioneer behind Environ
I’m no stranger to Professional Skincare brand, Environ. In my early 30’s, Environ came to my rescue when adult acne hit. An experience that brought on the same anxiety I experienced as a teenager. With the many products that land on the beauty desk, trying out various skincare brands is a nature of the job. After a 10-year hiatus from Environ, I was curious to try it out to solve my current skincare concerns.
Fast forward a decade and my skin and concerns have evolved. This is brought on by various factors – ageing, hormones, stress and the environment resulting in redness, sensitivity, dehydration, scarring, dullness, and breakouts. A list much longer than the one in my earlier years. I was invited once again to Environ for an in-depth skin analysis and professional treatment. The visit was nothing short of invigorating. From the attention to detail (temperature of the room, ambient sounds & super knowledgeable therapist), a treatment plan specifically tailored to my skin needs as well as an artillery of homecare products to reinforce the treatment and maintain the regime.
On the day of the treatment, I was met with a warm welcome by one of the super knowledgeable therapists at the Environ Skin Institute in Cape Town. Before the actual treatment started, I underwent an in-depth skin analysis, and the therapist recommended the Essential Moisture Boost Treatment. This treatment targets dehydration and has calming and soothing effects. She had a girls’ back by ensuring that post-treatment, I look even better. She gently tweezed my chin hairs that have become relentless because of my hormones. After a gentle yet deep cleanse to remove impurities without exacerbating my already reddened skin, we went on to a calming steam. She did however warn of over-exposing the skin to heat when suffering from redness and sensitivity. I was a little saddened that back-to-back hot yoga classes might have to take a backseat.
My favourite part of the treatment was the mask. A vitamin A gel is applied that felt cooling post the steam. Then enter technology (using Environ’s Electro-Sonic Ionzyme DF Technology), my therapist explains that the technology was pioneered by Dr Des Fernandes to ensure that the powerful ingredients in the professional products are diffused into the skin allows for maximum product absorption. I must say I was a little nervous about this part - imagining a laser zapping away at my skin but instead barely felt a thing, much to my relief.
The rest of the treatment packed in lots of moisture for maximum hydration. My skin felt supple, and I had an instant radiance that I had missed this winter.
Following the treatment, I wanted to dig deeper into the science behind the treatment and why it was recommended for my concerns. A week after I sat down with Environ’s Founder and Scientific Director, Dr Des Fernandes, to talk all things skincare and get into the depth of my concerns and recommended routine.
Dr Des Fernandes, Environ’s Founder and Scientific Director
Dr Fernandes: From my point of view, everyone should be striving to get the healthiest skin possible and future-proof their skin from the ravages of time, menopause, and other aggressors. To do that, I believe that Environ Professional Facial Treatments are very important because it is easier to saturate the skin with powerful ingredients like vitamin A, vitamin C, other antioxidants, and peptides to promote collagen, natural moisturising, hyaluronic acid, deep dermal fat and even reduce muscular action. This is why you are seeing such a significant improvement. In patients that I have observed, I believe the greatest, long-lasting rejuvenation has come from once-a-month treatments. The benefit to the skin is priceless.
Dr Fernandes: Your skin barrier function protects your body by preventing infection, regulating temperature, retaining moisture, and blocking harmful UV rays. If the barrier is compromised, you may see signs of redness, irritation, dryness, and sensitivity. The barrier function can be compromised from external stresses or internal stresses. External factors such as harsh products that cause damage to the outer layer e.g., strong alpha hydroxy acids, strong alkaline soaps or cleansers, and finally sun damage.
The internal factors that compromise the barrier function are directly linked to the localised deficiency of vitamin A in your skin. The basal keratinocytes do not produce the correct keratins to maintain a healthy stratum corneum. Most people are walking around with an inadequate skin barrier. That’s why Environ’s skincare philosophy has always depended on the daily replenishment of vitamin A, essential for skin normalising. The moisturisers in the Original Range are scientifically formulated using vitamin A and other skin nutrients, and follow the unique Vitamin Step-Up System®. I created this system to correct the deficiency by replenishing your skin with gradually increasing daily doses of vitamin A and antioxidants.
Dr Fernandes: As we age, many women experience the rapid loss of moisture and plumpness which is predominantly due to hormonal changes. One of the beautiful properties of vitamin A is that it is known to reduce oiliness by controlling the sebaceous gland activity. On the other hand, vitamin A promotes natural moisturising factors to normalise the skin’s hydration. As hydration declines with age, it is best to add additional moisture boosting and barrier support products.
