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LoveBuzz
Joined: 13 May 2014
Posts: 140
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 Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2014 9:22 am Post subject: Humidifier for Winter months? |
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Winter always seems to bring with it the dichotomy of either staying warm or freezing my butt off and having hydrated skin.
Bowls of water in the room or even special water holders to hang off the heater just never seem to cut it. My skin always seems to be particular dried out upon waking up. Sometimes I even get a bit of blood in my nose.
This has lead me to wonder if a humidifier would be a good solution to my problem. I know it isn't popular at al in Western countries, though are very common in east asian countries. I've even seen them in Korean wards.
Another explanation for why asians have nice skin? :P
Anyway, assume I've tested the humidity using a hygrometer or something and it comes back low, would a humidifer be a good option? Are there negatives?
I guess what I'm wanting to know is: What is hte best way to add humidity? Are there other options I'm not considering? |
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drtodorov
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| Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2014 6:57 pm Post subject: |
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| ceramides have lately been overhyped, but for some people with dry skin they do make a difference, either topically or as a supplement or both. |
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LoveBuzz
Joined: 13 May 2014
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| Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2014 6:03 am Post subject: |
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| drtodorov wrote: | | ceramides have lately been overhyped, but for some people with dry skin they do make a difference, either topically or as a supplement or both. |
Ceramids? I looked it up and they appear to have something to do with eczema. Why do you mention it? |
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drtodorov
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| Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2014 3:32 pm Post subject: |
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Ceramides may be one of the factors having to do with maintenance of the skin's barrier function, which, among other things, prevents moisture loss. ( ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12553851 )
The studies results on ceramides' usefulness to boost barrier function are somewhat inconsistent. But these are natural actives that are safer than most other common skin care ingredients -- so may be worth a try. |
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LoveBuzz
Joined: 13 May 2014
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| Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2014 9:25 pm Post subject: |
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| drtodorov wrote: | Ceramides may be one of the factors having to do with maintenance of the skin's barrier function, which, among other things, prevents moisture loss. ( ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12553851 )
The studies results on ceramides' usefulness to boost barrier function are somewhat inconsistent. But these are natural actives that are safer than most other common skin care ingredients -- so may be worth a try. |
Oh ok, you were mentioning a way to retain moisture in the skin.
Well I did end up purchasing a high-end humidifier which I must say has worked well thus far on my skin. When I wake up in the morning my lips aren't cracked and when I wash my face it don't longer has that dried out feeling I used to get, isntead it feels much more supple and hydrated.
Does it not make sense that having more humidity in the air decreases the need for a moisturiser?
It would be interesting to get your opinion on humidifiers. |
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drtodorov
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| Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2014 12:07 am Post subject: |
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Yes, more humid air may increase the need for moisturizers, except perhaps for people who produce very little sebum in their skin.
Humidifiers are often helpful. Just keep in mind that too much humidity and moisture promotes mold growth. Make sure your humidifier is clean and no mold grows on or around it. |
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LoveBuzz
Joined: 13 May 2014
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| Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2014 6:20 am Post subject: |
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| drtodorov wrote: | | Yes, more humid air may increase the need for moisturizers, except perhaps for people who produce very little sebum in their skin. |
INCREASE? Really? I thought it was the inverse. Low humidity is drying to the skin, whereas higher humidity provides some degree of atmospheric moisture.
As I said, no humidifer = dry skin. Humidifer on with humidity set to 60-65% = softer skin, no cracked lips.
| drtodorov wrote: | | Humidifiers are often helpful. Just keep in mind that too much humidity and moisture promotes mold growth. Make sure your humidifier is clean and no mold grows on or around it. |
Yes I bought a very good one that let's me control the humidity in the room. I regularly clean it (every few days) and will make sure to replace the filter often. It's good for the simple fact that the hygrometer means I can constantly check the humidity of my room and adjust it accordingly for better skin and breathing conditions. |
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drtodorov
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| Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2014 10:59 am Post subject: |
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| Sorry, that was a typo. I meant to say "decrease", i.e. higher humidity may DECREASE the need for moisturizers. |
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LoveBuzz
Joined: 13 May 2014
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| Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2014 11:20 am Post subject: |
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| drtodorov wrote: | | Sorry, that was a typo. I meant to say "decrease", i.e. higher humidity may DECREASE the need for moisturizers. |
haha that's what I thought :P
By the way, the model I bought has a "UV LED" and "bio-photocatalyst". It's described to work as such:
"uses a combination of UV LED and Bio Photocatalyst to constantly sterilize and deodorize the air before allowing it to blow out clean, pure mist.
The combination of bio material and photocatalyst acts as an environmental friendly oxidizing agent when activated by ultraviolet ray. When the photocatalyst captures ultraviolet light, it forms activated oxygen from water or oxygen in the air.
The formed activated oxygen effectively decomposes smelly particles to achieve maximum deodorization and sterilization effects. "
I had a mild concern that perhaps somehow it was inadvertently emitting some UV, or that it would be trapped in the mist to a small degree. Do you think that's a valid concern?
I may even go buy one of those things to measure radiation just to find out. |
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drtodorov
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| Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2014 1:07 pm Post subject: |
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I don't know anything about this model but in a well designed system, a UV source should be fully shielded. Whether this one is -- I can't tell you.
Either way, another thing to consider is that certain UV sources can generate some amount of ozone, depending on intensity and wavelength range. Ozone can be toxic. You may want to make sure that this system uses the part of UV spectrum that does not generate ozone (see newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/chem03/chem03323.htm ) |
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LoveBuzz
Joined: 13 May 2014
Posts: 140
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| Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2014 10:01 pm Post subject: |
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| drtodorov wrote: | I don't know anything about this model but in a well designed system, a UV source should be fully shielded. Whether this one is -- I can't tell you.
Either way, another thing to consider is that certain UV sources can generate some amount of ozone, depending on intensity and wavelength range. Ozone can be toxic. You may want to make sure that this system uses the part of UV spectrum that does not generate ozone (see newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/chem03/chem03323.htm ) |
This is why I like this forum lol. You always give me something to think about.
I'll have to find that out |
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