Do Humidifiers Help With Dry Skin?

The secret for soft, hydrated skin isn't that much of a secret. Most people know to have soft, glowing skin they need to use a good moisturizer, eat a healthy diet, and drink lots of water. 

But what if you try to do everything right, and your skin still feels, dry, itchy, or irritated?

You may think of a humidifier as something to ease a sore throat, stuffy nose, or nasal congestion. But do humidifiers help with dry skin?

The answer is yes! In fact, many experts in the beauty industry swear by room humidifiers for their skin moisturizing and healing benefits.

Take a look at some of the amazing benefits humidifiers can provide for your skin.

Hydrate Your Skin

Cold air prevents your skin from retaining moisture. In cold weather, the moisture in your skin evaporates quickly. 

Using a moisturizer helps, but there's more you can do. Adding a humidifier to your nightly routine can do wonders to replenish the moisture you lose throughout the day.

If your skin feels dry at the end of the day, running a humidifier as you sleep is a safe and easy way to hydrate your skin and keep it looking its best.

girl is sleeping

Get That Dewy Look 

Soft, dewy skin looks fresh and healthy. Nourished skin is more radiant than dry skin.

Taking good care of yourself by eating healthy foods and drinking plenty of water helps your skin look younger and more refreshed. You can take your healthy routine a step farther by using a humidifier.

A humidifier fills the air with moisture as you sleep. Your skin drinks in this moisture as you sleep.

This leaves you waking up with soft, dewy skin to start your busy day.

Help with Acne

Kids and adults suffer from acne. No matter the age, acne is embarrassing, and people spend lots of money looking for treatments that work. Along with eating a healthy diet, cleansing your skin, and using products your dermatologist recommends, using a humidifier may also help.

Using a humidifier is good for your skin and can help maintain the ideal humidity level in your home.  When your skin is clean and hydrated, it's less likely to over-produce oil that leads to blemishes and acne.

Counteract Air Conditioner's Drying Effects

Cold outdoor air can cause your skin to dry out. But indoor air can have the same effect. 

Running your air conditioner throughout the warmer months can take a toll on your skin. Excessive cold and dry air strips the moisture from your skin and can leave it feeling chapped, itchy, or irritated. 

Moisturizing creams and water-based facial sprays can help, but a humidifier can do more. The constant moisture from a humidifier hydrates the skin and replaces what cold, dry air strips away. 

Soften Dry, Flaking Skin

If you suffer from dry, flaking skin, your symptoms may get worse in the winter. When temperatures drop and you crank up the heat, your skin suffers.

Running a humidifier during the day or while you sleep puts moisture back into the air. This is great for your skin and can counteract the drying effect of the heat running in your home, work, or car.

This can help soften and heal dry, chapped, or flaking skin. Using a humidifier along with a good moisturizing cream right after you shower or bathe will help reduce dry patches and soften your skin.

Reduce the Appearance of Fine Lines   

Dry skin makes fine lines and wrinkles stand out. People spend lots of money on products and potions promising to erase the years away.

The truth is nothing in a bottle can completely erase lines and wrinkles. But when your skin is well hydrated, it looks and feels smoother. 

Using a humidifier helps to plump and hydrate your skin, especially your face. This diminishes the look of fine lines and wrinkles and can help improve your skin's texture over time.

Fight Dandruff and Itchy Scalp

An itchy scalp can be so irritating and embarrassing. Not only is it uncomfortable, but you also have to worry if other people notice flakes in your hair and on your clothing.

While dandruff shampoos and conditioners are helpful, you can do more to solve the problem. Using a humidifier is an excellent way to hydrate your skin, including your scalp.

When your scalp is moisturized, you'll experience less flaking and itching. Many dermatologists recommend using a humidifier along with dandruff shampoos and creams for a healthier scalp.

smiling girl touches her hair in the bathroom

Relieve Eczema and Psoriasis

Many people suffer from skin issues like eczema and psoriasis. There's no cure for these conditions, but taking good care of your skin can help improve the symptoms.

Both conditions cause dry patches on the skin that can appear red and inflamed. There are medications and topical creams to treat these conditions, but they tend to dry out the skin even more.

Adding moisture to the skin can help reduce some of the dryness and itchiness these skin conditions cause. Using a humidifier will help hydrate and soften your skin. 

It's another tool you can use to help you battle these stubborn skin conditions.

Ease Nose Irritation and Congestion

If you have sinus problems, dry nasal passages, or sinus congestion, a humidifier may help. Dry skin in your nasal passages is irritating and can lead to cracked skin, nose bleeds, and even sinus infections or sinusitis.

The constant moisture levels from a humidifier hydrate your nasal passages and ease discomfort. Although a humidifier can't prevent the common cold or the flu, it can ease the symptoms caused by them.

Water vapor from a humidifier can soothe the skin in your nasal passages and throat. It can help ease sinus pain and congestion associated with a cold or the flu. This may help you sleep better and breathe easier.

Smooth the Frizzes

Do you have dry hair that looks frizzy no matter what you do? If you have frizzy hair or too many split ends, it may need extra moisture.

You can spend time getting your hair just right, but as soon as you step outside, the dry air ruins the look. A humidifier can help.

In the same way a humidifier hydrates and softens your skin, it can do the same for your hair. Over time, your hair will feel softer and be more manageable.

Running a humidifier as you sleep helps moisturize your hair and scalp. This moisture protects your skin and hair from damaging outdoor elements. 

Relieve Chapped Lips

Many people deal with chapped lips in the winter months. But others deal with this annoying problem year-round because we're constantly running our heating systems. 

Chapped lips may appear red, cracked, or swollen. Some people use lip balm day and night to combat the problem. 

The only real help for chapped lips is moisture and hydration.

To help combat the issue, drink plenty of water, and use a lip balm with sun protection.

Before you go to bed, turn on your humidifier. When you wake up, your lips will feel softer and smoother.

Stay Healthy

Many humidifiers have filters that trap bacteria and viruses in the air. Less exposure to these toxins through your nose and throat may result in fewer infections.

Colds and the flu are more prevalent during the fall and winter months. Running your humidifier during these months can limit your exposure to these illnesses.

With the right humidifier, you can fall asleep knowing the air you breathe is clean and healthy for you and your loved ones.

multi-generational family

Sleep Like a Baby with Essential Oils 

You can add a few drops of essential oil to the water tanks of some home humidifier models to use them like an oil diffuser. This reduces the need for more than one machine running during the night. 

The fragrance of essential oils like lavender is relaxing and helps you sleep peacefully. Getting a good night's sleep is one of the most important things you can do for your skin and your overall health.

Types of Humidifiers

There are many types of humidifiers on the market, including cool mist humidifiers and warm mist humidifiers. It's best to do some research about which type is the best humidifier for your needs. 

Ultrasonic Humidifiers

In place of electricity, these humidifiers use vibrations to vaporize the water. These tend to make a little noise as they run, but they are the most hygienic of the various models.

Steam Vaporizers

These models use electricity which creates steam that cools as it leaves the unit. If using one of these, look for a model with an automatic shut-off feature or sleep mode to reduce the risk of fire hazards. There is a slight burning risk to the skin, so parents should use caution around children.

Impeller Humidifiers

These humidifiers use rotating disks to vaporize water. The unit runs without using heat, so it's safe for children's rooms.

Central Humidifiers

Unlike the other portable humidifiers here, these humidifiers connect to a central air conditioning unit. These work well in a whole house or office to add moisture throughout the structure.

Evaporators

This type of humidifier uses a blower to evaporate water and send moisture into the air.

Humidifiers come in a variety of sizes. Some are large enough to produce enough moisture for an entire house or office space. Others are compact and easy to transport or travel with.

Keep Your Humidifier Running Smoothly

No matter which humidifier you choose, it's important to take care of it to keep it running as it should. Here are a few tips to keep your humidifier in top shape.

Read the Instructions

Instead of tossing the instruction manual aside, be sure to read it. This is your best source of information for operating and caring for your humidifier. Each type of humidifier is different, and the care, maintenance, and cleaning instructions may differ.

Change the Filters 

You want your humidifier to operate at its best. Changing the filter on a regular basis keeps it running clean and efficiently. The time to change the filter varies according to the model, but changing it every 1-3 months is a good idea.

Use Distilled Water

You're breathing in the vapor from your humidifier, so it's important to fill the tank with clean water. Most manufacturers recommend distilled water rather than tap water.

Tap water is high in minerals and other impurities that can build up in the humidifier over time. These can build up to form mineral deposits in the tank. If the water in the tank is dirty, the vapor you breathe will be dirty as well.

Make sure the water is always clean and replace it often. It shouldn't sit in the tank for too long.

Clean with Soap and Water

It's very important to clean your humidifier on a regular basis. This varies by model, but cleaning it once a week is a good idea if you're using it every day.

Lime and mold can build up over time. So, it's a good idea to use a soft brush and clean the tank with white vinegar and water once a month.

Check your manual for specific cleaning recommendations.

Keep Out of Reach of Children and Pets 

Some humidifiers pose a burn risk for children and pets. And since humidifiers contain water, keep them out of children's reach at all times.

Do Humidifiers Help with Dry Skin

Many people know humidifiers help with stuffy noses, congestion and even sinus issues. But a good humidifier can do so much more.

A humidifier can be an important part of your daily beauty regimen.

Using a humidifier on a regular basis may help your skin look softer and feel smoother. It can help minimize the look of fine lines and wrinkles and moisturize your skin and scalp. 

A humidifier can help plump up and hydrate your dry skin and relieve your dry, chapped lips. The added moisture in the air is good for skin conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis too

Choosing a Humidifier

So, do humidifiers help with dry skin? The answer is a definite yes! Humidifiers are great for your skin and your overall health. If you are looking for a humidifier, we'd love to help you find the right product for your needs. Contact us today.

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