Overview
Environ is a skin care product manufacturer based in New Zealand that markets a dizzying array of products in several lines. The Environ lines include: Alpha Hydroxy Range, Active Range, Colour Range, Eau de Toilette, Evenescence Range, Intensive Range, Interactive Range, Ionzyme Range, Men’s Range, Original Range, Professional Range, Roll-CIT, and Sun Care Range. With this large number of formulations to consider, it may be very confusing for consumers to choose the one that is right for their particular skin needs.
The Environ Skin Care website is rather odd. The welcome page discusses that purchases made online are through unauthorized distributors, and then the company names some including eBay sellers. The products are only officially available through the company’s list of authorized dealers. None of the Environ products are available for sale on the Environ website, nor are prices offered. There is no indication of product samples or trial sizes being available nor does there appear to be a satisfaction guarantee on any of the Environ products. Most disappointingly, Environ does not provide full ingredient lists for their products, which makes it very difficult to assess the quality or allergenicity of the formulations.
Product Details
The various ranges of Environ Skin Care products contain a multitude of active ingredients but most appear based on vitamins, such as A, C, and E. For the purposes of this review, we will focus on the Intensive Range as these products are marketed as being cable to rejuvenate the user’s skin.
The products in the Environ Intensive Range are: C-Boost, Anti-Oxidant Gel, Colostrum Gel, Hydrating Oil Capsules, Retinol 1, 2, & 3, EssentiA Forte, and Body Profile. The C-Boost is a Vitamin C preparation. Vitamin C has proven anti-oxidant effects on the skin and rids it of free radicals that damage skin. However, Vitamin C is very unstable in solutions. Environ states that this product must be used in 6-8 weeks after opening because of this. The Anti-Oxidant Gel also contains Vitamin C along with Beta-Carotene, and Vitamins E and B5. This product also will only last 6-8 weeks after opening. The Colostrum Gel contains bovine colostrum (first milk) that Environ Skin Care states will support the production of collagen, elastin and growth factors. Unfortunately, Environ produces no clinical support to back up these claims. The Hydrating Oil contains Retinol (Vitamin A), and Vitamins C and E. Because they are packaged in capsules, the product will last longer than many of the others. However, when we look at hydrating products, we look for those with hyaluronic acid, which holds up to 1,000 times its weight in water.
The Good
- Some products contain vitamins which may have an anti-oxidant effect on the skin.
The Bad
- No full ingredient list provided for Environ Skin Care products.
- Not available for purchase online.
- Products containing Vitamin C have very short optimal shelf life.
- No money-back guarantee offered.
- Can be difficult to find in the US.
The Bottom Line
With the multitude of anti-aging skin care products on the market, Environ Skin Care comes with little to recommend it. While there is some industry agreement that vitamins applied topically can have some beneficial effect on the skin, there are many powerful and clinically-proven ingredients that have a much more dramatic effect on wrinkles and skin firmness. If you are seeking a product targeted to these skin issues, look for those with hyaluronic acid for skin hydration, collagen for skin firmness, or Matrixyl 3000 and Argiriline for collagen-boosting and wrinkle-reduction.
