January 2009 saw Environ Skin Care launch Advanced Vitamin Skin Therapy (AVST), a new range which harnesses a novel power pack of active ingredients to promote fabulous skin at any age.

The therapy aims to protect, restore and assist the skin to repair and maintain itself. Environ is the leader in this new, exciting skin care philosophy.

AVST is set to become Environ’s foundation range for everyday use, by further enhancing the capabilities of the brand’s established cornerstone ingredient complex – vitamins A, C, E and beta-carotene. The range has evolved from South African plastic surgeon Dr Des Fernandes’ more than two decades experience and sound scientific approach to developing effective skin care treatments.

The combination of vitamin A, powerful antioxidants and flavonoids may help to restore skin cells, resulting in a more youthful complexion with a smoother texture and a radiant, healthy glow. The skin normalising formulation assists in reducing fine lines, sun damage, uneven skin tone and dry facial skin.

The creams are produced in five varying strengths of vitamin A and C. All of the products contain antioxidants, flavonoids, penetrant enhancers and the higher levels contain peptides to promote collagen and elastin formation. Users move up through the sequence gradually, starting at 1 and progressing to 5. This enables skin to become accustomed to the progressive strengths of the active ingredients while gaining maximum long-term benefits and avoiding potential retinoid reactions.

The scientifically proven formula contains:

• Powerful antioxidants from native South African Rooibos (Redbush) and Honeybush Tea Extracts as well as Beta-Carotene.
• Rosemary Oil Extract, an antioxidant with added anti-bacterial and mild antiseptic properties.
• Green Tea Extract, which provides further antioxidant properties to assist in the reduction of sun damage and also acts as a mild antiseptic.
• Resveratrol to help combat the visible signs of ageing. Resveratrol is found naturally in grapes and some plants.
• Matrixyl, a penta-peptide which enhances the production of collagen and elastin in the skin, is included in the formula of the higher level creams.
• Vitamin A in the form of Retinyl Palmitate is included in AVST 1, 2, 3 and 5. Retinyl Acetate is included in AVST 4 and 5.

“Very few people have normal healthy skin because we are exposed all year round to environments which impair its functioning,” says Tracy Tamaris, director of training for Environ Skin Care in the UK and Ireland.

“Any degree of UV light exposure easily damages skin cells and their DNA, resulting in unhealthy skin. The aim of using vitamins topically is to stimulate the skin to be moisturised and protected by its own structure and not by the cream. AVST represents a major advance in the fight to combat the ageing affects of our environment.”