The 6 Best Humidifiers for Dry Skin (2024)

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We chose the Pure Enrichment Ultrasonic Cool-Mist Humidifier as our best overall pick because really, it has almost everything you could want in a humidifier. It features an adjustable 360-degree mist nozzle, an optional night-light setting, and an automatic shut-off feature, so this humidifier is ready to adapt to your personal needs.

With a 1.5-liter water tank, it can operate quietly on low for up to 25 hours or on high for 12. This comes in special handy at night when you’re sleeping; not only does it allow for more restful sleep by allowing you to breathe easily, but it also helps your skin absorb moisture considering the cooler night air can be particularly drying.

This compact humidifier is the perfect space saver and ideal for your desk, nightstand, or to take with you on the go. It comes with two misting modes: the intermittent mist that pauses every three seconds after spraying can work for up to eight hours and the continuous mist which runs for around four hours.

Urpower’s cool-mist humidifier can also double as a night-light and aromatherapy diffuser, giving you a light show of eight soothing colors while releasing a relaxing flow of room-temperature mist and the scent of your favorite essential oil.

You can trust the Safety 1st humidifier to pump moisture back into the air without disturbing your baby’s peaceful rest. It uses ultrasonic technology to operate more quietly than most humidifiers, allowing its cool mist to seamlessly transition into the air where it can work to help ease cold symptoms, reduce dry skin, or relieve itchy eyes.

Your baby’s room will receive full coverage with this humidifier, which rotates 360 degrees to fill every corner and comes with two mist outlets for up to 24-hour protection. These features are what make the Safety 1st humidifier great for kids sharing a room, because they can both get equal coverage. And don’t worry, when the water is all gone, it automatically shuts off and a light pops up as a reminder to refill it. Like other must-haves, such as a reliable thermometer, this cool-mist humidifier checks another item off your list of baby essentials.

Vicks is one of those brands everyone knows and can trust. That’s why Vicks Cool Mist Humidifier is a go-to for people suffering from bad sinuses. With a 1.2-gallon water tank, this humidifier quietly and effectively restores moisture to rooms for up to 30 hours.

If you’re looking to get a little fancy, you can even add a Vick Vapors pack to create a more aromatic mist that brings about an even more soothing environment. The filter-free design makes it super easy to clean and long-lasting, but, it’s recommended that you use filtered water so that you get the cleanest mist possible.

Size doesn’t always determine whether a humidifier is capable of properly adding humidity to a room, but in the case of the LEVOIT Hybrid Ultrasonic Humidifier, it definitely works to its advantage. Its 1.5-gallon water tank allows the humidifier to operate for 36 hours on high and 60 hours on low, making it the perfect fit for large rooms up to 753 square feet. You can also choose between warm or cool mist to satisfy your seasonal needs, and add essential oils to the aroma box to create the perfect mood.

With the option of using a touch control panel or remote, this humidifier makes it easy for you to monitor and change the humidity level. And if you’re not quite sure what you want or forget to set it, the built-in humidity sensor will automatically adjust the mist level to meet you at your comfort zone.

If one of your biggest concerns is allergies, you have to be careful when choosing a humidifier to run in your home—while they’re supposed to help keep your respiratory tract from drying out, they pose a health hazard in the form of bacteria and mold, potentially worsening the same symptoms you’re trying to treat.

In that case, you may want to opt for a device that doesn’t have a filter to clean and maintain, as well as one that’s easy to clean, minimizing the surfaces that come into contact with water and could promote mold growth. The CarePod 21P Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier has no filter and a reversed design, with the humidifier unit on top and nothing below the tank (making it less prone to leaks and hidden mold). It also only has three parts, total, which means cleaning is less time intensive and less likely to result in overlooked crevices breeding bacteria.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is a cool or warm mist humidifier better for dry skin?

  Despite the temperature differences of some humidifiers, when it comes to hydrating dry skin, both cool and warm mists will work.

  “There are many types of humidifiers but the best type to improve humidity in air and dry skin in the winter are cool and warm mist humidifiers,” explains Dr. Odueyungbo. “Warm mist humidifiers use heat to boil water which creates a vapor that is then dispersed in the room. Cool mist humidifiers don’t require heat but use a fan to evaporate water into the air, are easy to clean, energy efficient, and can be used year round.”

• How do you clean a humidifier?

  Models vary, so follow the manufacturer's directions on cleaning. White vinegar and a soft brush are often recommended, or they might suggest soapy water. Make sure you get into all the nooks and crannies. When you clean - frequently - is as important as how you clean, to prevent bacterial growth.