Environ cleanser and toner: which ones, and in what order?

The order Environ gives

Environ’s directions for its cleansers and toners follow one sequence: a pre-cleanse, a cleanse, a toner, then the vitamin A moisturizer you were recommended. The pre-cleanse lifts make-up, sunscreen and surface oil; the cleanser takes away what is left; the toner goes on last, just before moisturizer. For each product in this guide, Environ’s directions say morning and evening (the Moisturising Toner: morning, evening or both).

If you already use an AVST Moisturiser or a C-Quence Serum, these steps sit in front of it. Our guide to which Environ step to start with covers the moisturizer itself.

Step one: Dual Action Pre-Cleansing Oil

Environ advises massaging the oil over a dry face and neck, wetting your hands and carrying on until it turns into a milky emulsion, then rinsing and following with your Environ cleanser (Environ: Dual Action Pre-Cleansing Oil). It is easy to skip, but Environ’s cleansers are written to follow it: the Hydra-Intense directions begin “after pre-cleansing”.

RRYL lists the Dual Action Pre-Cleansing Oil at $42 for 100 ml.

Step two: a cream cleanser or a foaming gel

Hydra-Intense Cleansing Lotion (Youth EssentiA, 200 ml, $60) is a conditioning cream cleanser. Environ advises applying it to damp, pre-cleansed skin, working it in with your fingertips and rinsing with water, then toning (Environ: Hydra-Intense Cleansing Lotion). Its product page does not name a skin type.

Sebu-Wash Gel Cleanser (Focus Care Clarity+, 150 ml, $48) is a foaming gel. Environ describes it as suitable for oily, breakout-prone and congested skin. You lather it in your palms, wash, rinse with tepid water, then tone with Sebu-Tone Clarifier (Environ: Sebu-Wash).

So Environ names a skin type only for Sebu-Wash. If that description does not fit your skin, Hydra-Intense is the cleanser RRYL’s product pages pair with the two non-Sebu toners.

Step three: which toner

Every toner here goes on with cotton wool after cleansing, followed by your vitamin A moisturizer.

• Botanical Infused Moisturising Toner (Skin EssentiA, 200 ml, $58): a plant-extract toner. Environ advises moistening cotton wool and applying it to the face and neck (Environ: Moisturising Toner).
• Vita-Peptide Toner (Youth EssentiA, 200 ml, $88): a concentrated peptide toner that Environ designed to be used with its other Youth EssentiA products, such as C-Quence Serum and Antioxidant Defence Creme (Environ: Vita-Peptide Toner).
• Sebu-Tone Clarifier (Focus Care Clarity+, 100 ml, $46): made with exfoliating and clarifying ingredients, and used after Sebu-Wash.

Environ’s directions point toward keeping the toner in the same range as the rest of the routine: Sebu-Tone after Sebu-Wash, and Vita-Peptide Toner alongside the Youth EssentiA products.

Before you use Sebu-Wash or Sebu-Tone

Both contain salicylic acid, with an alpha and a beta hydroxy acid. Environ advises against using them if you are allergic to any of their ingredients or to aspirin. It also says these acids may make skin more sensitive to the sun, with a higher chance of sunburn, so wear sunscreen and protective clothing and limit sun exposure while you use them and for a week after you stop. If you are pregnant, use a prescription skin treatment or have a skin condition, check with your doctor first.

What Environ’s pages leave open

The Environ pages we read give no skin type for Hydra-Intense, the Moisturising Toner or the Vita-Peptide Toner, and no guidance on mixing products from different ranges. Environ also makes cleansers RRYL does not list, such as Mild Cleansing Lotion and Low Foam Cleansing Gel; this guide covers only the six on RRYL’s shop. If you are unsure which pair suits you, it is a good question to bring to a facial rather than guess.

Questions before you buy

Bouchra can help you choose at your next facial, or write to spa@rrylskinspa.com or call the studio at (929) 293-5538. Environ at RRYL explains the Environ facial and the products the studio lists.