ABOUT ENVIRON
SKINCARE
About Environ® Skincare
About Environ Skincare and the essential role vitamin A plays in the skin
Dr Des discovered the essential role vitamin A plays in the skin. As Environ’s maverick scientist and doctor he continues to research and develop progressive, new products to deliver to the market, allowing Environ to redefine the boundaries of global skincare.
THE DR DES STORY • ENVIRON FOUNDER AND SCIENTIFIC DIRECTOR
After training in various hospitals in the UK he returned to Cape Town, South Africa to work as a Cardio-Thoracic Surgeon, joining Professor Christiaan Barnard in the world-famous heart transplant unit of Groote Schuur Hospital. He then became part of the world’s first heart transplant team. Dr Des was also responsible for the illustrations of the “Piggy-Back” or “Double” heart transplant.
In 1975 he returned to his passion, Plastic Surgery, eventually becoming the lead consultant of the Cleft Lip and Palate Division at the Red Cross Children’s Hospital for 21 years. Due to his expertise, he was made the fellow of the Plastic Surgery Unit at Show University in Tokyo. In 1979 he commenced a private practice in the field of reconstructive and plastic surgery, the speciality in which he continues to practice today and in which he is internationally renowned. Dr Des has written numerous papers and chapters for medical publications on various Plastic Surgery procedures, and in more recent years he has studied, written and lectured around the world on skin health and skin rejuvenation through the use of vitamin skin preparations and technology.
Through intensive research, he discovered the essential role vitamin A plays in skin health. He became determined to create a skincare range that would maintain healthy skin, especially as the incidence of sun-related disorders was growing worldwide. He pioneered the use of vitamin A in high enough doses to help counteract the harmful effects of the environment, pollution, and stress, to create radiant, visibly improved skin in the 1980s.
What followed has become a legacy of scientific innovation that is today, celebrated and respected globally, starting with the creation of Environ in 1990.
A year later Environ introduced the world to the first vitamin A skincare system – the Environ Vitamin STEP-UP SYSTEM, following in 1992 with the word’s first chemical and physical sunscreen with antioxidants.
Dr Des’ innovation continued with the creation of the word’s first safe and effective Cool Peel Technology System in 1994. He also pioneered skin needling or Collagen Induction Therapy in 1996. Ionzyme, the brand’s premium Vitamin STEP-UP SYSTEM Range, launched in 1997 and was the world’s first ‘made-to-order’ vitamin A skincare regime.
In 1998, he took Environ’s skincare knowledge into the technology field with the launch of the patented Ionzyme DF MACHINE – the world’s first low-frequency sonophoresis and iontophoresis facial machine.
It comes as no surprise that in 2011 Dr Des received the Marquis Who’s Who Award.
As Environ’s maverick scientist and doctor, he continues researching and developing new products to deliver to the market, allowing Environ to redefine the boundaries of global skincare.
2024 Aesthetic Everything® WINNER
Environ’s dedication to consistent innovation and science has been duly recognised with not one, but three prestigious awards at the international Aesthetic Everything® Aesthetic and Cosmetic Medicine Awards in the USA. Two pioneering advancements, Environ Cool Peel® Technology and Environ Electro-Sonic Ionzyme® DF Technology, were crowned winners in the “Best Medical Peels” and “Best in Class Professional Treatment Machine” categories for 2024, respectively. The accolades didn’t stop there, Environ clinched an impressive hat trick by claiming the coveted “Top Medical Skin Care Line” award for the seventh consecutive year.
