DECEMBER 2025 MONTHLY BLOG
By Laura Hunnewell
We all love the changing of the season, and winter is beautiful! But it can also make your skin unhappy and irritated.
Meet the winter trifecta: SAD, wind burn and snow burn. Your skin’s complaint to the universe!
What does windburn feel like? A sting to the cheeks, a harsh sensation that makes your face feel a little unhappy. Lips can look and feel rough.
And snow burn? The betrayal of brightness. The glare off snowbanks that hit as hard as the summer sun. They like to work together to leave your skin red chapped and dehydrated!
During the colder months, we spend more time indoors surrounded by dry, heated air, which can strip moisture from the skin and compromise your barrier. Your skin does not want pity but longs for a healing routine. A humidifier is an uncomplicated way to help balance the moisture levels in your home. Increasing your water intake can also help with your moisture issues.
A hot shower feels so good- but it will worsen dry skin. Limit the exposure time or turn down the temp. Gently pat and dry and begin your moisture routine.
To replenish hydration, consider incorporating a moisture-boosting mask once a week. Something with aloe that is also a humectant (think moisture binding) Consistency is key! Add it in as a calendar reminder such as “masking day” and ditch the devices for some quite reflective time. This practice helps restore the skin’s water balance and supports a stronger barrier. Hush Hydrate Gel is also a mask that can boost hydration. Remove the mask with a lukewarm facial towel and consider adding a few drops of Remedy Rehab Oil to balance your freshly treated skin.
Lip balm should be your best friend so be sure to keep one on your bedside table, in your bag or backpack and at your desk or place of work. Applying a balm regularly can help prevent cracked lips. Brilliant Eye & Lip Serum adds thick comfort to the dry cracked lip area and doubles as an eye treatment.
Does it get flaky, dull, or a little scaly? Meet the dry brush! Not only does it help stimulate your lymphatic system (brush upward on limbs or towards the heart) but it exfoliates skin pre-shower gently to be able to absorb your favorite body lotion or body oil which you will apply after your shower.
Much to contrary belief- stripping off that dry flaky layer aggressively is not the answer. We want to think gentle- because our skin is extra vulnerable right now. Enzymes are an excellent way to slough off that dead layer with kindness. If your budget allows, regular monthly facials during the chilly winter months are incredibly beneficial for keeping your skin balanced. Remember- our cells typically renew every 28 days. And if monthly visits are not realistic, aim to come in for a professional treatment every 6–8 weeks to maintain healthy, glowing skin. We use enzymes in our protocols and for clients. It reveals a smooth finish and even preps for extractions if needed. Think of it like tiny Pac-Men gobbling up the dots — and those dots are the dead, dull layers of skin. When they are sitting on the surface, they block that heavier face cream you just purchased from sinking in, leaving it hanging out on top. Remove the buildup, and suddenly your moisturizer can do its job. If we do not clear a path, those newly renewed cells cannot reach the surface to function the way they’re meant to. Hale and Hush facials include a treatment called Incredible Enzymes. This is a pro-only product, so you will have to find an esthetician who uses our brand to perform the treatment. This is like a gentle exfoliation process vs. an intense scrubbing or rubbing which might irritate that delicate skin. With fruit enzymes like pineapple, papaya, and fig we are treating the skin with care while also dissolving that dead layer. In addition to the beneficial active ingredients, it has a pleasant natural cranberry scent to it.
The enzymes used — and their duties
Papaya: unclogs pores and brightens skin helps keep skin hydrated.
Pineapple: Vitamin rich and acts like an AHA by removing dead skin cells on the epidermis. A natural acne fighter, too!
Fig: breaks down the bonds of dead skin cells, moisturizes, and soothes and promotes a healthy-looking complexion.
Pomegranate extract: antimicrobial and inhibits growth of acne related bacteria.
Daisy Flower Extract: Naturally lightens and brightens, has astringent and calming properties and aids in natural cell turnover.
Finish by adding a soothing moisturizer and certainly SPF 30 or higher. Just because it is winter, snow still reflects UV rays. Zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are good ones to look for as they provide a physical block vs chemical block aka will not draw heat into the skin. Instead, deflecting!
For those who use red light therapy at home- like a mask- winter is a wonderful time to pull that device out. Red LED light has been shown to promote collagen production, support elasticity, and improve tone. Additionally, some studies suggest it may help improve mood—an added benefit during darker months. Professional facials that include LED light panels provide both the skin-healing benefits of red light and the relaxation that helps reduce stress, another common winter skin trigger.
So yes, winter is tough but with a little discipline and a routine your face can feel soft again- I promise! Your skin is not mad, just disappointed- but it believes in you!
