Think a humidifier is just for stuffy living rooms? Think again. This underappreciated device can do wonders for your skin, especially during dry winter months. Here’s exploring the many benefits of using a humidifier and dispelling any myths that might be holding you back from adding one to your beauty arsenal.

How a humidifier can benefit the skin:

1. One benefit of using a humidifier is keeping your skin hydrated. Moist air helps trap moisture in your skin, which is especially helpful during the dry winter months when the air can cause the skin to become flaky and cracked.

2. Another benefit of using a humidifier is soothing your skin. By adding moisture back into the air, a humidifier can help reduce irritation and itchiness.

3. Using a humidifier can also protect your skin from environmental damage. Moist air helps reduce the amount of time your skin is exposed to harmful elements like dust and pollution, making it an effective tool for maintaining healthy skin.

So, if you’re looking at ways to improve your skin, a humidifier may be worth considering. However, choose one that meets your specific needs.

Treating skin with a humidifier

If you are struggling with dry skin, you may have tried a range of creams and lotions to keep it hydrated. But what if there was an easier and more effective way to moisturize your skin? Enter humidifiers - devices that add moisture to the air and prevent dryness and irritation. However, with the abundance of options available in the market, it is important to choose the right one for your needs. Factors like unit size, features, and price should be taken into consideration. If you are uncertain about which humidifier to buy, seek advice from a dermatologist or healthcare provider who can recommend a unit that suits your specific requirements.

Checklist for use 

When using a humidifier to treat dry skin, it is important to take a few precautions. First, ensure the use of distilled water to avoid mineral build-up on the skin. Secondly, regular cleaning of the humidifier is essential to prevent the growth of bacteria and mould, which can be harmful to the skin. Lastly, using a moisturizer after the humidifier can help to lock in the added moisture and enhance its effectiveness. Following these steps can help you get the most out of your humidifier and keep your skin hydrated and healthy.

Additional benefits

Apart from the skin, a humidifier benefits several other indications: 

• Helps moisten dry eyes

• Soothes irritated eyes 

• Helps eliminate dryness in the throat or airways 

• Keeps the lips moistened thus avoiding cracked lips 

• Keeps frequent cough episodes at bay 

• Helps fight sinus headaches 

• Reduces the chances of a bloody nose 

Making the right choice

Before you decide on buying a humidifier, let's take a look at what types of humidifiers are available in the market. 

• Steam vaporizers: With the help of electricity, these create steam that cools before it escapes the unit. These should not be used around children. 

• Ultrasonic humidifiers: Rather than using electricity, these humidifiers use vibrations to vaporize the water. 

• Evaporators: These are known to produce humidity by blowing air past evaporating water. 

• Impeller humidifiers: If you are looking for a child-friendly option then this is the one. Here rotating discs are used to turn water into vapour rather than heat. 

• Central humidifiers: If someone has central air conditioning at their home, they can connect this unit to it. This will help add moisture to the entire space be it a home or an office. 

Watch out for too much humidity

Maintaining indoor humidity levels between 30 and 50 per cent, as recommended by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), can help keep your home comfortable and healthy. However, it's essential to avoid excessive humidity levels, which can lead to breathing difficulties and worsen allergic symptoms. High humidity can also aggravate dust mites, mould, and mildew. To find the right humidifier for your needs, it's best to consult with your healthcare practitioner.