Winter weather advisory: 

Dangerous beauty conditions ahead! Wind, cold air – which holds less humidity than warm air – and central heating, can take a toll on your skin, leaving it dry, flaky, itchy and just downright uncomfortable. Follow our simple tips to keep your skin looking and feeling silky and moisturized.

Exfoliate

You should exfoliate often. Your skin sheds dead cells at the pace of 30,000 per minute. These dead cells clog pores and can cause tiny white bumps over time. By dry brushing your skin 3-4 times a week before you shower, you will be removing the majority of these dead skin cells, revealing a radiant layer beneath. Dr. Peter D’Adamo recommends this practice as it stimulates circulation (and may reduce the appearance of cellulite as well).

Using a natural bristle brush with stiff, but not hard bristles, begin at your feet and make long sweeps up towards your heart. Avoid circular or scrubbing motions – skin should be stimulated and invigorated, not red or irritated. This will encourage your body to make new skin cells more regularly. Bonus: this technique opens pores so moisturizers absorb better!

Choose your cleansers & moisturizers carefully

A hot shower might feel great in the morning, but it strips the skin of natural oils, leaving it dehydrated and itchy. Keep the water temperature at a level that’s just comfortably warm and limit showers to less than 10 minutes.

Cleanse with a body wash that’s free of parabens and other harmful additives. Choose one that contains vitamin B5, which increases the humectant properties of the skin.

Slather on a thick, creamy lotion when skin is still damp from the shower. This locks moisture into your skin. For a soothing warm lotion, place the bottle in a sink filled with hot water. This warms the lotion and feels like a decadent spa treatment!

Moisturize... and then moisturize some more

Repeated hand washing is essential to protect yourself from viruses, but it can also leave you with dry skin and cracked cuticles. When washing hands, use soap and warm, not hot, water and moisturize your hands immediately after washing. For many, alcohol-based hand sanitizers have been a staple during the Covid pandemic. They can be very drying, so be sure to moisturize.

Moisturize your skin again before bed – your body temperature is slightly elevated at night so products absorb better. For an extra special treat, use a thick layer of moisturizer on your hands and feet and slip on a pair of cotton gloves and socks – it sounds weird, but your hands and feet will feel incredibly soft in the morning!

Don’t forget your face

A light, sheer lotion is great for daytime, but at night, you’ll want a richer crème – this is particularly important for women over 30, when their natural oils begin to diminish. A good day and overnight crème are essential to any skincare routine. When your skin is feeling particularly parched, add a moisture-boosting serum to your routine. Also make sure you are using a gentle enough cleanser, like our Rejuvenating Cleanser, that won’t dry out your skin even further.

Check product labels

Check the labels of the products you buy. You don’t want to douse your skin with chemicals that can do more harm than good. Make sure to keep your skin properly hydrated with products from the Genoma Skin Care line to ensure you are getting the effects you want in a natural and healthy way. Including a toner in this regimen will also keep the pH levels of your skin balanced to ensure that your skin retains the natural oils it needs to stay healthy. The Genoma Anti-AGE Serum contains trehalose, which is the same ingredient that protects cactus plants from drying out in the desert… and if it can prevent cactus from drying up, imagine what it can do for your skin! 

The sun is still powerful in winter

It might seem unnecessary but you still need to protect yourself from the sun. While you may not be thinking about a sunburn, it is still very possible to get some serious sun, especially when doing activities like skiing and snowboarding where the sun can reflect off the snow. Use sunscreen to not only protect from the next day redness and pain, but also from the longer-term threat of skin cancer.

Stay hydrated

Finally, remember to drink lots of water. Skin cells, like every other cell in the body, require proper hydration. Even if you don’t feel thirsty, having a constant supply of water throughout the day is key. Carry a chemical-free bottle to remind yourself to keep drinking water. Skin doesn’t only absorb hydration from the outside; it needs to be hydrated from the inside too!

Inside out

You can treat your skin from the inside out with our Genoma Derma supplement. Genoma Derma capsules blend together herbal ingredients, botanicals, amino acids and nutrients that work together to promote healthy, beautiful skin. With regular use, Genoma Derma may minimize the effects of Advanced Glycation End Products (AGE molecules) which cause skin to look older.

And of course, follow your Blood Type Diet. Start by eliminating Avoids, which can cause inflammation that puts stress on your skin. Reducing sugars, especially high fructose corn syrup, is also a must. Too much sugar can cause glycation, a process that creates AGE molecules — harmful byproducts that promote wrinkling and sagging skin. Read our post about Blood Type Diet approved sugar alternatives. Fiber helps absorb Advanced Glycation End Products, so eating foods high in fiber, like whole fruits and vegetables, can also be a big help. Find out more about the connection between The Blood Type Diet and skin care here.