FAQ
Unsure about your steps towards beautiful skin?
We have put together answers to the most frequently asked questions to guide you on your skincare journey.
Environ
Why should I use Environ?
Why should I use Environ?
Environ Skin Care is an award-winning, science-backed, medical-grade brand known for its gradual Vitamin STEP-UP SYSTEM™ and antioxidant-rich formulas that improve skin texture, tone, and health over time. It is ideal for those seeking long-term results with professional-grade, no-frills ingredients.
The Environ product caused discomfort on my skin. What should I do?
The Environ product caused discomfort on my skin. What should I do?
The discomfort may be caused by the vitamin A found in most Environ products. When the skin responds in this way, it is known as a vitamin A reaction. This is a harmless, temporary response—not an allergy—and simply indicates that the skin’s current tolerance level for vitamin A has been exceeded. The reaction typically settles within one to two weeks.
During this time, reduce the frequency of your Environ product to either morning or evening use, and consider incorporating a moisturising product such as Super Moisturiser to help soothe the skin and support recovery until the reaction subsides.
Can I add Environ products to my current skincare brand of choice?
Can I add Environ products to my current skincare brand of choice?
Yes, you can add Environ products to your current skincare routine, but it is important to introduce them slowly and start with low concentrations, especially of vitamin A. Avoid using products with overlapping actives like retinoids or acids in the same routine to minimize irritation.
Can I use Environ's vitamin A products while planning, pregnant or breastfeeding?
Can I use Environ's vitamin A products while planning, pregnant or breastfeeding?
Environ believes that their products containing vitamin A are safe during both pregnancy and lactation. During pregnancy, the skin’s response to products may temporarily change, therefore Environ advises you use the lower levels of vitamin A if the skin is sensitive.
How do I use Environ products?
How do I use Environ products?
Please refer to the “Directions for Use” section on the relevant product page, and also check the product leaflet included in the packaging.
How often should I be applying Environ vitamin A moisturiser?
How often should I be applying Environ vitamin A moisturiser?
You should apply your Environ vitamin A moisturiser twice daily—morning and evening—unless your skin is new to vitamin A, in which case start with once daily to allow your skin to adjust. Environ recommends to follow with SPF (RAD) in the morning.
How long can I use the Environ product once it has been opened?
How long can I use the Environ product once it has been opened?
For optimal benefits, you should use Environ products within 10–12 weeks after opening.
How do I know when I can "STEP-UP" my level of vitamin A in the Vitamin STEP-UP SYSTEM™?
How do I know when I can "STEP-UP" my level of vitamin A in the Vitamin STEP-UP SYSTEM™?
You can "STEP-UP" to the next level of vitamin A in the Vitamin STEP-UP SYSTEM™ when your skin has used the current level consistently for at least 2–3 bottles without signs of irritation like redness, dryness, or sensitivity. Clear, stable, and comfortable skin is the main indicator that it is ready for a stronger dose.
What happens when I reach the highest level of vitamin A by using Environ products?
What happens when I reach the highest level of vitamin A by using Environ products?
When you reach the highest level of Environ’s vitamin A moisturisers (e.g. AVST Moisturiser 5 or C-Quence Serum 4+), you can maintain your results by continuing with that level or incorporating advanced Environ products like Retinol Serums, Hydrating Oil Capsules, or targeted treatments for aging, pigmentation, or hydration. Your skin will already be well-adapted to vitamin A, allowing you to use more potent forms for enhanced results—always under professional guidance.
I recently started using Environ. How long will it take before I start seeing results?
I recently started using Environ. How long will it take before I start seeing results?
You may start noticing subtle improvements like smoother texture and better hydration within 2–4 weeks, but more visible results—such as brighter skin, reduced pigmentation, and fewer fine lines—typically appear after 8–12 weeks of consistent use. Long-term changes in skin quality and resilience can take 6 months or more, especially as you progress through the Vitamin STEP-UP SYSTEM™.
My skin feels dry after using Environ product. What should I do?
My skin feels dry after using Environ product. What should I do?
If your skin feels dry after using an Environ product, it may be adjusting to vitamin A—this is common at the beginning. To help, reduce application to once daily, add a hydrating serum or moisturiser, and avoid using exfoliants or harsh cleansers until your skin barrier stabilizes.
I am experiencing blemishes since I have started using Environ products. What should I do?
I am experiencing blemishes since I have started using Environ products. What should I do?
Experiencing blemishes after starting Environ is common and often part of a temporary “purging” phase as your skin adjusts to vitamin A. Keep using the product consistently, reduce application to once daily if irritation occurs, and avoid introducing new actives—if breakouts persist beyond 6–8 weeks, consult a skincare professional to adjust your routine.
What forms of vitamin A is in Environ products?
What forms of vitamin A is in Environ products?
Environ products contain various forms of vitamin A, including beta-carotene, retinyl palmitate, retinyl propionate, retinyl acetate, and retinol. These forms are used in different strengths across the Vitamin STEP-UP SYSTEM™ to gradually increase skin tolerance and effectiveness.
What percentage of vitamin A is in Environ products?
What percentage of vitamin A is in Environ products?
Environ does not list a percentage of vitamin A in its Vitamin STEP‑UP SYSTEM™ moisturisers; instead, each level is measured in International Units (IU). For example, AVST 5 is formulated with the maximum allowable legal limit under cosmetic regulations. Environ believes that using a percentage can be misleading—hence, vitamin A strength is standardized across each step by IU rather than concentration percent.
Do Environ vitamin A products photo-sensitise the skin?
Do Environ vitamin A products photo-sensitise the skin?
Environ vitamin A products do not photo-sensitise the skin like traditional retinoids; in fact, they help normalize sun-damaged skin over time. However, it is still essential to wear broad-spectrum SPF (RAD) daily, as vitamin A can make the skin more vulnerable if the barrier is compromised or if you are using stronger forms like retinol.
What is the difference between the AVST range and the C-Quence range?
What is the difference between the AVST range and the C-Quence range?
The AVST range (Skin EssentiA) uses focuses on overall skin health, making it ideal for beginners or those with younger or sensitive skin. The C-Quence range (Youth EssentiA) contains higher levels of peptides and antioxidants, targeting aging, pigmentation, and sun damage—it is best for experienced users or those wanting more intensive results.
What colostrum is used in Environ Vita-Enriched Colostrum Gel?
What colostrum is used in Environ Vita-Enriched Colostrum Gel?
Environ's Vita-Enriched Colostrum Gel contains a high concentration of bovine colostrum, sourced from dairy cows. This colostrum is rich in natural growth factors and immune-boosting properties, which are beneficial for enhancing the skin's immunity and providing a robust defense against external aggressors and signs of aging.
Why do Environ sunscreens only have an SPF of 15 or 20?
Why do Environ sunscreens only have an SPF of 15 or 20?
Environ sunscreens (RAD) have an SPF of 15 or 20 because they combine moderate UV protection with antioxidants to reduce free radical damage, avoiding the higher chemical filter concentrations found in stronger SPFs that can increase skin irritation and oxidative stress. Environ recommends frequent reapplication to maintain effective protection while minimizing the risks associated with higher SPF products.
How can Environ vitamin A products without SPF still give SPF 20 protection?
How can Environ vitamin A products without SPF still give SPF 20 protection?
Environ products without SPF do not provide traditional sunblock protection but their vitamin A content helps improve skin repair and resilience against UV damage over time. Vitamin A itself as retinyl palmitate absorbs UV rays. It also supports skin cell renewal and strengthens the skin barrier, enhancing overall skin defence when combined with antioxidants.
What does the ‘RAD’ in Environ sunscreen names stand for?
What does the ‘RAD’ in Environ sunscreen names stand for?
RAD stands for: REFLECT– reflect harmful UV rays off the skin. ABSORB– absorb the UV rays that manage to penetrate the skin. DEFEND– defend against the harmful effects of free radicals generated within the skin.
Are Environ products suitable for vegans?
Are Environ products suitable for vegans?
Yes, except the Colostrum Gel as it contains bovine colostrum.
Does Environ test on animals?
Does Environ test on animals?
Environ does not test its products or ingredients on animals. Cosmetics sold in Europe are not allowed to be tested on animals by law.
Do Environ products contain microplastics?
Do Environ products contain microplastics?
Environ does not use microplastics in its products.
The Environ product did not give me the results I expected. What should I do?
The Environ product did not give me the results I expected. What should I do?
We are sorry to hear that. It is important to remember that Environ products are designed to deliver long-term results for your skin. The unique Vitamin STEP-UP SYSTEM™ introduces your skin step by step to increasing levels of active ingredients — especially vitamin A, along with other vitamins, antioxidants, and peptides. The goal of the system is not to step up too quickly, but to help your skin safely become accustomed to higher levels of active ingredients at a pace that varies from person to person. This minimizes the risk of skin irritation while ensuring steadily improving results. We always emphasize patience when it comes to seeing the full benefits on your skin.
Vitamin A
Is vitamin A safe to use?
Is vitamin A safe to use?
Yes, it is safe to use vitamin A also in high concentrations in skincare. According to studies, less than 6% of the vitamin A in a product actually penetrates the skin, as oxygen and light break down the majority of it. Vitamin A is stored in the skin and does not enter the bloodstream, so vitamin A cosmetics are also safe to use during pregnancy.
Why should vitamin A be used in skincare?
Why should vitamin A be used in skincare?
Vitamin A is needed to strengthen and protect the skin as well as to maintain cellular functions. Skin suffering from a vitamin A deficiency begins to age prematurely and shows visible imbalances such as acne, rosacea, and pigmentation spots.
Can the skin get enough vitamin A from diet alone?
Can the skin get enough vitamin A from diet alone?
Environmental factors, UV radiation, and air pollutants break down protective skin vitamins obtained from nutrition, such as vitamin A. It takes 5–7 days for vitamin A from food to reach the skin, whereas vitamin A from cosmetics is stored in the skin within a few hours.
How often should vitamin A products be used?
How often should vitamin A products be used?
Vitamin A should be used daily, both morning and evening, including during sun exposure. To get the full benefits of vitamin A, the skin should be nourished with the highest possible concentrations of vitamin A according to the skin’s own tolerance.
What is a vitamin A reaction?
What is a vitamin A reaction?
If the skin reacts to vitamin A, this is called a vitamin A reaction. This harmless reaction, which disappears within a week or two, is not an allergy but indicates that the skin’s current tolerance to vitamin A has been exceeded. The skin’s reaction to vitamin A is individual and depends on the number and quality of the skin’s vitamin A receptors. The receptors are atrophied and inactive when the skin has a vitamin A deficiency. In such cases, the vitamin A in cosmetics cannot enter the skin cells and causes a reaction that appears as redness, flaking, itching, and pimples. With the unique Environ Vitamin STEP-UP SYSTEM™, the skin gradually adapts to higher vitamin A concentrations, safely stimulating and activating the vitamin A receptors step by step.
Can someone be allergic to vitamin A?
Can someone be allergic to vitamin A?
It is not possible to be allergic to vitamin A, and a vitamin A reaction is not dangerous.
What is the most effective form and dosage of vitamin A?
What is the most effective form and dosage of vitamin A?
The chemical form is less important than the amount measured in international units (IU). 10,000 IU of retinyl palmitate = 10,000 IU of retinyl propionate = 10,000 IU of retinol. Percentage values can be misleading. From the above, we can derive: 2% retinyl palmitate, 1% retinyl propionate, and 0.5% retinol.
Ordering
Are the products sold on your website authentic?
Are the products sold on your website authentic?
We understand your concern. We live in a time where the skincare market is highly fragmented and counterfeit products are unfortunately common. All products on our website are 100% genuine and come directly from the manufacturer and are distributed in Estonia by us as an authorised distributor.
Do I need to create a customer account to place an order?
Do I need to create a customer account to place an order?
No, you do not need to create a customer account to place an order. However, we recommend creating a customer account on our website, as it is a convenient way to view your order history, keep your contact information up to date, and complete orders more easily and quickly with pre-filled address fields.
How do I sign in to my customer account?
How do I sign in to my customer account?
Signing in to your customer account is convenient with a one-time code sent to your email address each time you sign in. No separate password is required.
Can I place an order by phone or email?
Can I place an order by phone or email?
Unfortunately, orders cannot be placed by phone or email. You can place an order only through our website.
I placed an order but have not received an order confirmation email. Have you received my order?
I placed an order but have not received an order confirmation email. Have you received my order?
Once we have received your order, you will receive an order confirmation email at the email address you provided when placing your order. Please check that the email has not ended up in your spam or junk folder. If you still cannot find the email, please contact our customer service team.
Where can I see the status of my order?
Where can I see the status of my order?
Once we have processed and shipped your order, you will receive an email at the email address you provided when placing your order. This email includes a tracking number, which you can use to track your order. Please note that tracking may be activated with a slight delay, depending on the delivery option you selected (Omniva, SmartPosti, or DPD).
For more information, please see our Shipping Policy.
Can I change or cancel an order I have already placed?
Can I change or cancel an order I have already placed?
Unfortunately, it is not possible to change or cancel an order once it has been placed. However, you may request a return for any product or products you ordered from our website.
For more information, please see our Refund Policy.
Payment
How do I pay for my order?
How do I pay for my order?
We currently offer the following payment methods on our website, which you can use to pay for your order: Apple Pay, Google Pay, Maestro, Mastercard, PayPal, Shop Pay, Visa, and Trustly.
Is it secure to make a payment for my order on your website?
Is it secure to make a payment for my order on your website?
Yes, all payments on our website are processed and handled securely using trusted payment methods.
Shipping & Delivery
How will my order be delivered?
How will my order be delivered?
Your order will be delivered to you according to the delivery option you selected when placing your order. We offer the following delivery options you can select from: Omniva, SmartPosti, or DPD.
For more information, please see our Shipping Policy.
How much is the delivery fee for my order?
How much is the delivery fee for my order?
The delivery fee you pay for your order depends on the delivery option you selected when placing your order. If you selected Omniva or SmartPosti, the delivery fee is 3,20€. If you selected DPD, the delivery fee is 6,20€.
For more information, please see our Shipping Policy.
How quickly will my order arrive?
How quickly will my order arrive?
Once we have processed and shipped your order, the estimated time for your order to arrive is 1–3 business days (Monday–Friday).
For more information, please see our Shipping Policy.
Why has my order not arrived yet?
Why has my order not arrived yet?
We are sorry that your order has not arrived yet. Please note that during promotional campaigns or public holidays, delivery times may be extended by 2–5 business days, especially for orders being delivered via Omniva or SmartPosti.
For more information, please see our Shipping Policy.
Can I place an order and have it delivered at a later date?
Can I place an order and have it delivered at a later date?
Unfortunately, it is not possible to place an order and have it delivered at a later date.
For more information, please see our Shipping Policy.
What happens to a parcel that is not picked up?
What happens to a parcel that is not picked up?
Parcels must be picked up within 7 days of arrival at the parcel machine or parcel locker. Please pick up your order as soon as possible, otherwise the parcel will be returned to us. If the parcel is returned, we will refund the cost of the products from your order. However, we will not refund the original delivery costs of that order or costs associated with the return.
For more information, please see our Shipping Policy.
What happens if I am not home when the delivery is attempted?
What happens if I am not home when the delivery is attempted?
If the courier cannot reach you at the address you provided when placing your order, they will call you. In case of an unsuccessful delivery attempt, the courier will take the parcel to the nearest parcel locker.
For more information, please see our Shipping Policy.
Do you ship orders internationally?
Do you ship orders internationally?
Unfortunately, we do not ship orders outside Estonia.
For more information, please see our Shipping Policy.
How can I change my delivery address?
How can I change my delivery address?
If we have not processed and shipped your order yet, please contact us immediately by sending us an email at info@skinstep.ee, and we will change your delivery address. If we have already processed and shipped your order, unfortunately we can no longer change your delivery address. In this case, please contact the carrier (Omniva, SmartPosti, or DPD) that you selected as your delivery option when placing your order.
For more information, please see our Shipping Policy.
My order was delivered to the wrong address. What should I do?
My order was delivered to the wrong address. What should I do?
We are sorry that your order was delivered to the wrong address. Please contact the carrier (Omniva, SmartPosti, or DPD) that you selected as your delivery option when placing your order. Please note that during promotional campaigns or public holidays, parcel machines or parcel lockers may be full, and the carrier may redirect the parcel to an alternative parcel machine or parcel locker.
For more information, please see our Shipping Policy.
Can I track the delivery of my order?
Can I track the delivery of my order?
Yes, once we have processed and shipped your order, you will receive an email at the email address you provided when placing your order. This email includes a tracking number, which you can use to track the delivery of your order.
For more information, please see our Shipping Policy.
The tracking for my order does not seem to be working. What could be the reason?
The tracking for my order does not seem to be working. What could be the reason?
We are sorry to hear that. Please note that tracking for your order may take some time to become active, depending on the carrier (Omniva, SmartPosti, or DPD) you selected when placing your order.
For more information, please see our Shipping Policy.
The product was damaged during delivery. What should I do?
The product was damaged during delivery. What should I do?
We are very sorry about this. Please always inspect your order upon delivery and contact us immediately if your order contains any products that are damaged.
For more information, please see our Shipping Policy.
Return & Refund
Can I return a product I purchased?
Can I return a product I purchased?
Yes, you can return any product(s) from your order, as long as the product(s) were purchased from our website and the seal on the product or its packaging has not been broken or tampered with. You have up to 14 days to withdraw from the contract for your order.
For more information, please see our Refund Policy.
Can I return the product even if I have already thrown away the packaging or the product leaflet?
Can I return the product even if I have already thrown away the packaging or the product leaflet?
Unfortunately, you cannot return the product if you have already thrown away the packaging or the product leaflet.
For more information, please see our Refund Policy.
Can I exchange the product I ordered for a different one?
Can I exchange the product I ordered for a different one?
Unfortunately, we do not currently offer product exchanges. If you would like a different product, you may return the product and place a new order for the product you want.
For more information, please see our Refund Policy.
Do I have to pay for the return?
Do I have to pay for the return?
The short answer is, yes. When you place an order on our website and wish to return any product(s) from your order to us, you are responsible for all costs associated with the return, regardless of whether the product(s) from your order are eligible for a return or not.
For more information, please see our Refund Policy.
When will I receive a refund for the product I returned?
When will I receive a refund for the product I returned?
Once we have received the product(s) you sent to us, we always inspect the returned products before issuing a refund. After inspection, if the product(s) from your order are found to be eligible for a return according to the conditions, we will issue a refund promptly, and no later than 14 days from the date you withdrew from the contract. However, this requires that we receive the product(s) you sent to us within 14 days from the date you withdrew from the contract.
For more information, please see our Refund Policy.
I received a defective product. What should I do?
I received a defective product. What should I do?
We are very sorry about this. This should not have occurred on our end. However, if your order contains any products that are defective (faulty or damaged), or if we have sent you the wrong product, we will refund the cost of the defective products from your order in full. We will also cover all costs associated with the return. If all products from your order are defective, we will additionally refund the original delivery costs of that order.
For more information, please see our Refund Policy.
Still did not find an answer to your issue?
Feel free to contact our customer service team—we are here to help!





