This week heaters are starting to make noises again in New York City (if you live in any prewar apartment/loft you know exactly what I mean). Although temperatures are still mild, I’d dare to say almost ideal, I know a cold front from the North could sweep down anytime and end this perfect Fall weather, but I’m ready for it!

New York winters can be very mean to exposed skin, the combination of strong winds and below freezing temperatures, not to mention the endemic pollution, is especially nefarious causing dry, chapped and itchy skin.

That is why I already stocked up all my favorite moisturizers and oils by Grateful Body that will keep my skin healthy and beautiful throughout the cold season.

I have been using Grateful Body products on and off for more than 10 years and they definitely remain my favorite brand. I say on and off because my strategy for skincare is to alternate products, and I do this essentially for 2 reasons:

1. to try new formulas
2. to integrate nutrients and effects, no cream is 100% perfect, so changing/rotating them brings different benefits.

Whatever I experiment with, it is always as much natural as possible, preferably organic and definitely cruelty-free. In particular I pay attention to the obvious skin reactions, skin overall aspect (brightness, tightness, freshness …) and especially residue. There is nothing I hate more than to wear a constant thick mask of product that my skin cannot absorb, if it doesn’t get into the skin it doesn’t work.
And that is the main reason I always go back to Grateful Body’s products: whenever I apply them my skin feels … happy! Happy as in replete, sated like a summer garden that has just been watered after a hot sunny day. Drinking up all the good stuff that’s packed into its nourishment! After all “to nourish” is just another word for “to feed”, same latin root of nutrition. Grateful Body’s totally holistic approach -they still use pestle and mortar for some preparations!-  leaves all the powerful natural active principles intact and ready to be absorbed by our skin tissue.

I love the fact that they put on their labels: “Please read my ingredients”, yes they are all plants and natural stuff no suspicious chemical names.

THREE WEAPONS TO FIGHT COLD WEATHER

The most important factor to protect skin from the negative effects of cold is cells health, that is cells have enough the energy to defend themselves and energy, as we know, comes from the right food. My secret weapons to feed my skin tissue during winter are essentially 3:

Grateful Body Moisturizer: If you vote for the Senate, than the moisturizer is a twice-daily must in your skin care routine. Since I have passed that age by more that a decade, in winter I go for the Dry Skin formulation (but they also have for Oily and Normal and Sensitive skin types), applied religiously in the morning and in the evening after cleansing/ washing my face.

Weapon #2 is the Softening Serum, which used to be called Aphrodite’s Feast because that is exactly how your skin feels when you use it! Here you can read more about its wonderful story and ingredients: Softening Serum. Apply the Softening Serum once a day: it in the morning after the moisturizer to boost your defenses against the weather, or in the evening to wake up with an incredibly fresh and bright skin.

Finally, the Moisture Monsoon is a rich oil blend that it easily absorbed and leaves no residue and oily patches. I like to use in the evening as a night cream, so my skin has time to absorb it and be all plump and fortified in the morning. However, during the coldest days I also apply it in the morning after the moisturizer, it’s the best barrier to freezing wind lashes and flying snowflakes – and definitely to keep in your pocket when skiing-.

Last but not least, all Grateful Body products help to fight the winter blues by adding a unique olfactive experience that is definitely part of their appeal and of their healing effects. The physical benefits of their organic wildcrafted ingredients are integrated and boosted by their extraordinary mood enhancing scents. I am not talking about overpowering floral, alcoholic perfumes, but the crisp aromatic scents of dried herbs and wild flowers, of ancient apothecaries and healing herb stores, if you have ever visited the Farmacia Santa Maria Novella in Florence, you know exactly what I’m talking about.

If you want to purchase these products or to know more about them visit: Gratefulbody.com

Be healthy and happy this winter!