Sleeping With A Humidifier May Just Be The Secret To Preventing Dry Skin

Is your skin feeling a little parched this winter season? You aren't the only one whose skin's craving moisture. After all, winter is the season of lotion, ChapStick, and gloves.

Just because winter sucks the moisture right out of you doesn't mean you need to deal with it. It's time to invest in a humidifier. Humidifiers are proven to help the look and feel of your skin because they add the water back into the air that your skin is begging for. Therefore, why not add one to your nightstand while you sleep? You won't be moving for a few hours, and your skin can soak up all that much-needed watery goodness.

Learn why sleeping with a humidifier might need to be added to your list of things to do to help your skin care this winter. Get a few tips along the way to make your experience with nighttime humidifiers as beneficial as possible. Who doesn't want radiant, hydrated skin this winter season?

If your skin feels like a scaly mess during the winter, you're not alone. You might be slathering on the moisturizer, but sometimes that's not enough to combat the dry air. According to 2015 research from the National Library of Medicine, the function of the skin barrier is reduced during the winter due to the lack of moisture, allowing cracks to form.

The heat you use to keep your house toasty and the cold hair that blasts you in the face work together to steal that much-needed wetness that keeps your skin supple. Once the moisture is gone, things begin to crack and dry out. Therefore, the American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends adding a humidifier to your home. Adding the moisture back in can help to support your skin's barrier to reduce dry skin and eczema flare-ups and breakouts.

Using one at night can help you reap the most benefits since your skin can absorb all the moisture while you're toasty warm under your covers. Since you've got the deets on how a humidifier helps, it's time to learn how to choose and maintain the right one to reap the most rewards.

You're ready to make your skin glow and rejuvenate, so it's time to invest in a humidifier. Before hopping on Amazon and hitting buy, you'll want to research the best one for your living situation. Humidifiers aren't a one-and-done type of buy. They come in all different kinds, from cool mist to ultrasonic machines, and various sizes, from large to small misting ones. Plus, you'll want to consider your kiddos and pets. Medline Plus notes that cool-mist humidifiers are the safest for children. 

Once the type is decided, think about placement and upkeep. You probably don't want to place a humidifier any closer to your bed than about three feet, and Medline recommends creating an environment that's about 30% to 50% humid to avoid mold growth. Speaking of mold, it's important to run distilled water through a humidifier and ensure you're cleaning them daily. Humidity and warm areas can be dangerous for growing bacteria and mold, which doesn't do your skin any favors.

Adding a humidifier to your nighttime regime can be a fabulous way to combat winter skin. Just remember that a humidifier alone isn't enough to keep your skin from cracking. You need to use it in conjunction with moisturizer, gloves, and ointment to be sure your skin stays happy and healthy.