The EnvironŽ range is effective because it incorporates an intelligent TEN-pronged attack against the visible signs of ageing:

1. VITAMIN A - generally used as the ester form (e.g. retinyl palmitate, retinyl acetate), but also as retinol and beta-carotene which help to prevent and reverse established photo-ageing as much as possible, and to improve hydration. Vitamin A has long been known as the "Skin Vitamin" but only recently has attention been focused on it as a "normaliser" of skin and an indispensable factor in the maintenance of youthful, healthy skin.

   Vitamin A will always be an essential nutrient that has to be replaced each day for a healthy, youthful appearance. The proper way to supply vitamin A to the skin is directly on the surface areas of skin that particularly need it. Oral supplementation of vitamin A is important, but can never be adequate enough to treat skin intensively.

2. INTENSIVE VITAMIN C - Besides its basic action as a free radical scavenger, vitamin C has an important part to play in the formation of collagen and when combined with vitamin A, skin laxity can be treated more effectively. It also facilitates in the reduction of pigmentation blemishes. For the healthiest, most radiant skin vitamin C is essential. EnvironŽ has pioneered the use of stabilised and highly effective forms of vitamin C.

3. FREE RADICAL QUENCHERS - (in the form of natural antioxidant vitamins C, E, B5, beta-carotene and antioxidant plant extracts) are used to counteract the effects of those free radicals that are formed.

4. BOTH UV-A and UV-B ORGANIC SUNSCREENS - are used for protection from the sun. Wherever possible, INORGANIC sun reflectants are used. The reason why we use the inorganic sunscreens is that they do not cause any skin irritation and they are not absorbed into the skin and cannot cause any long term problems. They are the safest sunscreens available and also the best ones for UV-A and also very powerful UV-B screens. Another point is that when they are subjected to UV light they do not alter their chemical structure and do not become free radicals. Organic sunscreens may change into free radicals and when they are exposed to sunlight then their SPF value gradually diminishes. The SPF factor is not affected by the length of time that an inorganic sunscreen is exposed to the sun.

5. PRO-VITAMIN B5 (D-Panthenol - INCI name Panthenol) - is used in a HYPO-ALLERGENIC base to boost the waterproof barrier of the skin, to assist in controlling free radicals and to reduce the chances of follicular obstruction.

6. GROWTH FACTORS - By supplementing growth factors both orally and topically, EnvironŽ can help to stimulate the skin into a higher degree of response and rejuvenation.

7. ALPHA and BETA HYDROXY ACIDS - These acids help to minimise signs of ageing. Because Beta Hydroxy acids are good skin exfoliants and kinder than Alpha Hydroxy Acids they are useful for acne conditions. By removing excess horny layer build-up and making skin smoother, acne is improved.

8. PEELING SYSTEM - a more advanced treatment system for sun damaged skin, and congestion. The EnvironŽ unique Cool Peeling System (namely TCA Pamgels and Lac-Pamgels) enables one to create versatile peels with milder peeling agents. Peeling is being replaced to a large extent by iontophoresis and sonophoresis.

9. SPECIALISED IONZYME DF MACHINE IONTOPHORESIS and SONOPHORESIS TREATMENTS - a highly scientific electrical system designed to enhance the penetration of the active vitamins. It combines Iontophoresis (Galvanic) and Sonophoresis (Ultra sound).

10. COSMETIC and MEDICAL ROLL-CIT - Special mechanical tools that enhance penetration through skin. The instrument safely punctures the horny layer of the epidermis with micro-needles to increase the amount of large molecules that can penetrate through the skin by 10,000 fold. It has been designed for inducing natural collagenesis.

This is achieved by nourishing the skin with essential vitamins as well as other nutrients. Sensible protection from sunlight is important but we have to remember that we really need the sun in order to remain healthy. For this reason all these special agents are incorporated into the products to save skin from environmental damage. The EnvironŽ products offer a definite regime to nourish, protect and maintain youthful skin and allow a normal healthy degree of exposure to the sun.

Ideally, skin care should start as early as possible (4-5 years old is not too soon to start in fact!) because by that time already, sun damage can be detected in Type I and II skins (See Section B). Most young people in their twenties mistakenly believe that they are too young to use any cosmetic moisturising cream and they ignore the warnings and sunbathe!

The truth is that 80% of photo-damage is done by the age of 18. Darker Mediterranean types can tan easily and relatively safely but definitely get sun damage. Even black skins are damaged by the sun and become blotchy with irregular pigmentation.

Look carefully at the skin of the average person in their early twenties and you will see evidence of sun damage, the beginnings of fine wrinkles around the eyes, freckles and clumping of the skin pigment when viewed with a magnifying glass under ultra-violet light. Eventually damaged cells become abnormal or even pre-cancerous.

The EnvironŽ range has been introduced to specifically meet this challenge by using ingredients that are based on safe, proven agents that will protect skin as well as restore some of the skin's lost youthful properties.