Should You Use a Humidifier for a face?

Introduction

Dry winter air, indoor heating, and long hot showers can leave your skin feeling dry, irritated, and flaky. While moisturisers and skincare routines help, one often-overlooked tool in your skincare arsenal is a humidifier. From treating dry skin and chapped lips to possibly relieving acne and eczema, a humidifier can make a big difference. But does humidity cause acne? Or is it actually good for your skin? Let’s find out.

What Is a Humidifier?

A humidifier is a device that increases moisture levels in the air, helping to combat dryness in your skin, nose, throat, and lips. It’s especially helpful during colder months when humidity levels drop. For people suffering from eczema, dermatitis, or flaky skin, a humidifier can help soothe inflammation and improve comfort.

But many wonder: Is humidity good for acne or does it make things worse? We’ll explore that below.

Types of Humidifiers

There are a wide variety of humidifiers for the face on the market, each with a somewhat different function:

1. Steam vaporisers: This type of vaporiser uses electricity to generate steam, which is then cooled before it exits the unit. Steam vaporisers can cause skin burns; hence, they should not be used around children.
2. Ultrasonic humidifiers:  Electricity isn’t needed to evaporate water in ultrasonic humidifiers.
3. Evaporators: Humidity is created by blowing air through evaporating water in evaporators.
4. Impeller humidifiers: When vaporising water, impeller humidifiers rely on moving discs rather than heat.
5. Central humidifiers: Individuals who want more moisture throughout their entire home or office might use central humidifiers to accomplish this.

It’s possible for sizes to differ. Personal humidifiers, on the other hand, are small and light enough to carry around and can be used to moisten the air in a small space.

How can a Humidifier Help Your Dry Skin?

Using a humidifier helps replenish moisture in the skin that is often lost due to dry air. Here’s how it benefits your skin:

• Hydrates dry, flaky skin
• Soothes chapped lips and irritated patches
• Improves absorption of skincare products
• Reduces itchiness caused by dryness
• May relieve eczema symptoms

Steam and humidity can also open up pores, which may help reduce breakouts and acne, especially if dryness and inflammation are contributing factors.

How to Use a Humidifier for the Face

To get the most skincare benefits:

• Use it while you sleep: Night-time use is ideal since your skin repairs and rehydrates overnight.
• Position it 2–3 feet away from your face to allow the mist to disperse naturally.
• Clean it weekly with soap or vinegar to prevent bacterial growth.
• Use distilled water to prevent mineral buildup.

Note: Do not point the humidifier directly at your face, and avoid over-humidifying your room. Use a hygrometer to ensure humidity stays between 40% and 50%.

How to Choose the Best Humidifier?

There is a wide variety of misting devices on the market, ranging from steam vaporisers to ultrasonic machines. There are several humidifiers for a face to choose from. Still, the most crucial factor is the size of your room (personal or travel-sized humidifiers typically only cover 25 to 100 square feet). Mini ones, for example, can be placed on your desk, while silent ones are less likely to disturb your sleep. According to the National Library of Medicine, the safest option is a cold mist humidifier. If you get too close to a warm mist humidifier, you could get burned, making it harmful for children or pets.

Inquire with Your Dermatologist to clear your query about whether humidity causes acne. Make sure you consult your dermatologist before using a humidifier for acne to ensure it won’t exacerbate any existing skin issues.

Are There Any Downsides?

It is generally safe to use a humidifier for acne with any and all types of skin. However, cleaning and maintaining your device is essential.” For those with eczema, psoriasis, and even acne who use humidifiers but don’t clean them correctly, the overgrowth of bacteria, mould, and other organisms can result in disease and infection.

Avoid operating your humidifier for a face long period of time as well, since this can cause it to malfunction. Mould and mildew can form when the air is excessively wet, which can cause respiratory difficulties. According to the EPA, humidity levels in a room should not exceed 50%, therefore keep an eye on the humidity with a hygrometer.

Conclusion

A humidifier can be a game-changer for managing dry skin, improving hydration, and possibly reducing acne caused by dryness. However, it’s essential to use the device correctly and keep it clean to avoid unwanted side effects. While it’s not a cure-all, when paired with a good skincare routine, a humidifier can help create a balanced, healthier skin environment, especially during the dry, harsh months of the year.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a healthcare provider before beginning any new wellness practice, especially if you have an existing medical condition or are on medication.

References

• Byber, K., Radtke, T., Norbäck, D., Hitzke, C., Imo, D., Schwenkglenks, M., Puhan, M. A., Dressel, H., & Mutsch, M. (2021). Humidification of indoor air for preventing or reducing dryness symptoms or upper respiratory infections in educational settings and at the workplace. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2021(12). https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd012219.pub2
• Tsukahara, K., Hotta, M., Fujimura, T., Haketa, K., & Kitahara, T. (2007). Effect of room humidity on the formation of fine wrinkles in the facial skin of Japanese. Skin Research and Technology, 13(2), 184–188. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0846.2007.00209.x