Podcast Summary: How Winter Accelerates Skin Aging and the Best Protocols to Reverse It

Biohacking Beauty: The Anti-Aging Skincare Podcast
Hosts: Amitai and Anastasia Hojaiba
Date: January 7, 2026

Overview

This episode explores why winter is such a challenging season for healthy, youthful skin and offers evidence-based advice on how to reverse and prevent winter-accelerated skin aging. Amitai and Anastasia, co-founders of Young Goose Skincare, break down the physiological changes your skin undergoes during winter and provide in-depth protocols for protecting and rejuvenating skin across decades—from your 30s to your 60s and beyond. The hosts focus not just on topical strategies but also on holistic biohacking habits that support skin resilience from the inside out.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. How Winter Impacts Skin Biologically (03:11–13:04)

• Drop in Humidity = Increased Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL):

  • Cold air and indoor heating strip moisture from skin, spiking TEWL (“transepidermal water loss”), leaving skin dry, tight, red, and prone to dullness and fine lines.
  • Anastasia: “The biggest thing we see, and that people really feel, is that the skin starts to lose water a lot faster… [TEWL] really skyrockets because the air is cold and dry, and the indoor heating just, like, sucks the moisture out of the skin even more.” (03:37)

• Aging Is Accelerated:

  • Older skin (especially 30–60+) produces fewer lipids and “natural moisturizing factors,” making it less able to hold water, thus fragile and inflamed.
  • Amitai: “In your 50s, 60s, and beyond that, dryness can tip into barrier breakdown, which means your skin becomes more fragile and increases... inflammaging.” (05:12)

• UV Damage Continues Year-Round:

  • UVA (“aging rays”) remain strong in winter and bounce off snow, hitting skin even if you’re inside or bundled up.
  • Anastasia: “The snow can reflect up to 80% of this UV right back to your face… Just as ever important to still use your sunscreen.” (06:40)

• Lifestyle Shifts Compound the Problem:

  • Less sunlight, more sugar and alcohol, less movement, worse sleep—all lead to faster depletion of skin energy molecules like NAD+ and raise “glycation” and oxidative stress.

2. Winter Skincare Biohacks (13:17–23:12)

• Top Seasonal Habits for Skin:

  • Humidifier: Run one in your bedroom/living space to keep air at 30–50% humidity (14:19).
  • Shorter, Lukewarm Showers: 5–10 mins maximum; apply moisturizer within 3 minutes (16:03).
  • "Misting": Use facial mist/essence before skincare if you don’t shower twice daily (16:42).
  • Sleep: Quality and consistency are essential for collagen production and repair. “Poor sleepers have more wrinkles, slower healing...” (18:40).
  • Movement: Exercise boosts blood flow, nutrient delivery, and stimulates collagen. Resistance training is especially beneficial (20:06–20:24).
  • Nutrition: More sugar and alcohol, and less omega-3 intake in winter hits your skin barrier. Prioritize omega-3s (supplements or fish), protein, vitamin C, zinc (21:23–22:34).

• Notable Quote:
  Amitai: “Your skin will reflect or is feeling [your lifestyle]. That’s why people feel like they age… faster during the winter.” (11:21)

3. Top Ingredients for Winter Skin Health (25:18–36:16)

• Barrier Lipids: Ceramides, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol

  • “Foundation of skin health.” Strengthens the stratum corneum and prevents “leaky skin.” (25:52–27:31)

• Humectants: Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin, Beta-Glucan, Panthenol

  • Hyaluronic acid (focus on higher molecular weight), but beta-glucan especially shines for calming winter skin and minimizing micro-inflammation. (28:31–31:07)

• Cellular Longevity Ingredients: NAD+ Precursors, Peptides, Spermidine, Exosomes

  • Support DNA repair, mitochondrial energy, collagen synthesis. NAD+ declines by 50% by age 40–50, worsened in winter by stressors (32:06–33:04).

• Protection: Mineral SPF with Zinc Oxide, Antioxidants, DNA Repair Enzymes

  • Year-round use is “non-negotiable,” especially with added protection from blue light and pollution. (35:15–36:16)

• Ingredient “Toolbox” Recap:

  • Amitai: “Barrier lipids. Hydration. Longevity actives. Protection.” (36:16)

4. Customized Winter Skin Protocols by Age & Climate (37:43–58:54)

Tier 1: Late 20s to Mid-30s (39:02–44:38)

• Goal: Preserve barrier, build resilience, avoid over-exfoliation.
• Protocol Highlights:
  • Gentle cleansing (or skip a.m. cleanser if dry)
  • Hydrating essence & blue peptide spray
  • Serum (Youth Reset), Moisturizer (Youth Daily), Eye Care, SPF (BioShield 40)
  • At night: Exosomes 2–3x weekly, alternate with U3 Set
  • Enzymatic exfoliation (Nia Polish) only once weekly.
  • Hyperbaric Mask as overnight mask, particularly if dry/itchy.

Tier 2: Late 30s to 50s (46:09–51:36)

• Goal: Repair lipid envelope, reduce inflammation, support collagen & NAD+.
• Protocol Highlights:
  • Cleanse gently (once a day if very dry)
  • Layer: Blue peptide spray, amplifying essence, vampire exosomes, Youth Reset serum, Youth Daily moisturizer, Eye Care, SPF
  • For outdoor exposure, layer BioBarrier as a “lipid shield”
  • At night: Cleanser, exosomes daily (if possible), U3 Set, Hyperbaric Mask (nightly if skin is very dry), Nia Polish every 7–10 days

Tier 3: 60+ or Very Fragile/Dry Skin (51:56–56:57)

• Goal: Maximize barrier integrity, fuel recovery, foundation for mitochondrial and collagen health.

• Protocol Highlights:

  • Morning: Lukewarm/cool water rinse, BLUE peptide spray optional, always amplify essence, vampire exosomes, U3 Set, moisturizer (Youth Daily), eye and neck/chest cream, BioBarrier on cheeks/areas of dryness, SPF.
  • Night: Gentle cleanse, hydrators as above, treatment serums, occlusive Hyperbaric Mask.
  • Exfoliation: Only if barrier is stable, and no more than once every two weeks.

• Body, Neck, Hands:

  • Anastasia: “Hands also show your age quite fast… I always put sunscreen on my hands.” (57:55–58:54)

5. Red Light Therapy for Winter Skin? (60:41–66:08)

• YES—Red light is excellent in winter!

  • Prep skin with cleanse and blue peptide spray (metylene blue), layer with Ladderserum, finish with barrier support (BioBarrier) and moisture.
  • Amitai: “Red light therapy… is actually perfect in the winter because you want to prep your skin beforehand and hydrate afterwards.” (61:17)

• Bonus: Nick’s case study—8 weeks of red light therapy with ladder serum led to 20% reduction in pigmentation, as measured by Visia scan (62:14–64:07).

Memorable Quotes and Moments

• Amitai: “Apparently, we’re not bears.” (10:33)
• Anastasia: “Winter is when most people’s skin ages faster... but it’s also when you can make the most visible gains.” (67:08)
• Amitai: “Keep your barrier strong, your NAD levels high, your routine consistent, and as always, thank you for biohacking your beauty with us.” (67:33)

Timestamps of Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |------------------------------------------------------------|------------| | Winter changes and why skin ages faster | 01:06–12:31| | Why sunscreen is a must in winter (snow/UV reflection) | 05:42–07:37| | Lifestyle factors (sleep, diet, movement) | 09:49–22:56| | Barrier repair & top supportive ingredients | 25:18–36:16| | Protocols by skin age (Tier 1, 2, 3 explained) | 37:43–56:57| | Special care for body, neck, hands | 57:55–58:54| | Red light therapy tips and case study | 60:41–64:07| | Wrap up, downloadable ebook, and key takeaways | 58:54–67:47|

Practical Takeaways

• Winter skin needs smarter layering with a focus on barrier repair, cellular energy, and anti-inflammatory support, not just “heavier” creams (59:12–59:45).
• Habits (humidity, sleep, movement, nutrition) have just as much impact as formulation.
• Continued, year-round SPF use is crucial—UV and blue light risk are real, no matter how cold or gloomy.
• Red light therapy is an excellent adjunct for winter skin if paired with the right pre- and post-care (61:08–66:08).
• Download the Winter Protocol eBook in the show notes for a personalized step-by-step routine.

Resources

• Winter Protocol eBook: Download from show notes
• Red Light Therapy Preparation Video: Linked in show notes
• Product recommendations: See Young Goose’s product line for referenced serums, masks, SPF, and creams

Closing Thoughts

An evidence-informed, biohacker’s approach to winter can not only defend against seasonal aging but unlock visible skin rejuvenation. Whether through topical strategies or lifestyle tuning, smart winter routines help you age gracefully—so “winter skin” becomes a thing of the past.

Final Word:
Amitai: “Winter is coming… Keep your barrier strong, your NAD levels high, your routine consistent, and as always, thank you for biohacking your beauty with us.” (67:33)