Are brown spots scuppering your quest for a more radiant complexion? Editor Trudi Brewer susses out a new skincare range from Environ which targets those hard-to-shift patches of discoloured skin.
Environ Focus Care Radiance+ Mela-Fade Serum System, $129.
Brown spots, sun spots, hyperpigmentation – those pesky patches of discoloured skin go by many names but one thing they have in common is that they can ruin your complexion and add years to boot. So what can you do about it? Visiting your local beauty expert for laser treatment is one option, but now you can also treat hyperpigmentation at home thanks to Environ's new Focus Care Radiance+ range. Here's what you need to know:
What is it?
Focus Care Radiance+ is a new skincare range from Environ designed to reduce the appearance of existing pigmentation and prevent the formation of new brown spots on the skin. It works by targeting melanocytes – the melanin-producing cells that give our skin its colour – which can go into overdrive in response to hormonal changes, sun exposure and some medication, causing brown patches to appear on the skin.
What's in it?
The range includes four products designed to be used together in a three-step system to reveal a more even-toned, radiant complexion. Step one is the Multi-Bioactive Mela-Prep Lotion, step two the Vita-Botanical Mela-Fade Serum System (two serums packed with a potent blend of vitamins and botanicals), and step three the vitamin C-infused Intense C-Boost Mela-Even Cream. Together the products work to prevent the formation of hyperpigmentation and help you achieve the healthiest looking skin possible.
How to use it?
Environ recommends using the Radiance+ range in conjunction with its vitamin A-packed Vitamin Step-Up System, which should be used for at least 30 days before you begin applying the Radiance+ products twice daily. You should also wear a broad-spectrum SPF15 sunscreen and limit sun exposure (and let's face it, you should be doing this anyway). If you're feeling brave you can also use one of Environ's at-home needling instruments to ensure you achieve optimal results.
Why do we like it?
Hyperpigmentation is notoriously difficult to treat but incredibly common, especially for us, under the New Zealand sun. Unlike some products, which should only be used in winter when sun exposure is limited, this range can be used throughout the year and by all skin types, tones, and genders (so one for the boys, too). While incorporating the Radiance+ range into your beauty routine certainly requires a commitment, it is one worth making – expect to see improvements fairly soon after you start using it but don't be alarmed if your pigmentation looks a little darker first, as this can happen in some cases.
Find out more about Environ skincare here