Saying goodbye to the healthy glow of our skin so many of us enjoy during the summer months isn’t easy when cooler temperatures set in. It seems as if the minute the winter comes, the quality of our skin goes down, often leaving us feeling dry, itchy and blotchy. For those of us who are already experiencing the signs of aging, dry skin makes our lines and blemishes more pronounced.

There is a terrific and guilt-free option that helps to keep our skin supple and hydrated this winter – and it doesn’t need to be hidden in our medicine cabinet. Dermatologists recommend moisturizing on the inside as well as on the outside as part of a complete skin care regimen. That’s why, in addition to using moisturizers and drinking plenty of water, using a humidifier is just as essential. Since cold air holds less moisture, dermatologists recommend keeping humidity levels at 30 to 50 percent. (During the winter, the air inside your house can have humidity levels of less than 10 percent).

“Researchers are learning that skin works harder to rejuvenate itself on the night shift,” says Alex Khadavi, MD, an associate professor of dermatology at the University of Southern California. “Skin cell regeneration is slightly faster at night than during the day,” he says. Sheldon Pinnell, MD, researcher at Duke University, agrees: “Sleep hours are a potent time for your body to repair itself, skin included.”

Putting a humidifier on the nightstand can help you combat winter dry skin and eczema and prevent drying and cracking of skin and mucous membranes (for example the inner lining of your nose). Today’s humidifiers are available in compact units that can fit easily on nightstands or dressers. They are also very quiet, allowing consumers to sleep like a baby and awake with their skin refreshed and healthy looking. And, with today’s advanced technology, humidifiers can be very easy to maintain (clean). Just make sure you purchase one with Protec and “germ free” Ultraviolet technology for fresher moisture.  

And as an extra bonus, the soothing vapor of a humidifier helps relieve symptoms of the common cold, cough and flu. They can also help reduce static electricity, extend the life and quality of wooden and leather furniture and keep house plants looking like they’re living in the tropics. Not bad for something that makes us look and feel good.

So put away those coupons for moisturizing lotions and purchase yourself a humidifier. What could be better than to moisturize and beautify while you sleep?

About the author: Laura Conklin, The Good Moisture Messenger at Kaz, Inc., global manufacturer and marketer of humidifiers under the Honeywell brand.

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