This cute moisturizer has been a game changer for my dry skin.

Among beauty editors and skincare aficionados, humidifiers regarded as a kind of secret weapon against dry, dehydrated skin. By creating a humid environment, humidifiers can prevent moisture loss and maintain the skin barrier. Lately, dealing with the rough, flaky skin due to winter weather, indoor heating and retinol - a recipe for dryness - I decided to try using a humidifier for myself.

I stopped at Mounted humidifierbecause it is recommended by dermatologists. Dr. Dandy Engelman, a New York City certified dermatologist and Skincare.com expert, is a fan of No Mist technology and bacteria-killing UV sensors. Not to mention it's compact and looks pretty on my desk. 

Here I share my personal experience with Canopy, as well as how moisturizers can benefit the skin, according to Dr. Engelman. 

Skin benefits of using a moisturizer

In regards to skin health, one of the key benefits of using moisturizers is that they can repair and strengthen the skin barrier. "If you're not at optimal humidity (40% to 60%), then the environment is actually pulling moisture out of your skin," says Dr. Engelman. "Using a moisturizer helps your body maintain a healthy skin barrier, and in turn, you'll notice less dryness, flakiness, redness, and even breakouts."

Second, Dr. Engelman says a humidifier can help minimize nighttime transepidermal water loss. “While you sleep, the balance of moisture in the body is restored, supporting skin metabolism, cell renewal and repair,” she says. "It's very important to keep your skin healthy during this time, and moisturizers are a great tool for that."

Finally, the humectant supports mucosal function, which she says helps protect the body from harmful pathogens. “If areas like the nose or mouth become dry or chapped, it encourages bacterial growth and infection, but moisturizers keep those areas moist and healthy,” she says. 

Who should use a humidifier?

A moisturizer can be helpful for all skin types, but Dr. Engelman says it can be especially helpful for those with skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis and rosacea, or those who live in low humidity environments. 

My review of the Canopy humidifier. 

The Canopy humidifier (gifted by the brand) arrived at my doorstep at the perfect time. With the winter weather raging, my internal heater exploding and the new retinol cream working wonders, my skin felt tight and rough and looked dry and flaky. My usual regimen of frequently masking the sheet and applying a creamy moisturizer mixed with face oil just didn't work. 

I have used and loved moisturizers in the past, but they can be tricky to clean and spray too much mist into the air, leaving my skin feeling hydrated but also uncomfortably damp. What made me want to try Canopy is that it is dishwasher safe and doesn't fog up. “Canopy uses air evaporation technology, which means water circulates through a filter with a paper wick and evaporates into the environment as pure moisture,” says Dr. Engelman. "It also uses UV sensors to kill any bacteria in the water."

Indeed, when the humidifier is turned on, it emits a light refreshing breeze, not water drops. Because of this, I wasn't initially sure it would work as well as traditional mist humidifiers. However, after putting it on my desk and continuing to work for a full eight hours, I noticed that my skin felt softer and more comfortable. After weeks of use at work and sleep, my skin is smoother, less flaky and dull and stays hydrated longer. On days I forget to turn it on, I notice a difference - my lips are more chapped and at night I apply more layers of moisturizer. 

The advantage is that the humidifier does not take up much space, and thanks to its modern white and blue design (it also comes in green, pink and white), it does not need to be hidden. 

The $150 Canopy is certainly an investment, but a worthy one if you ask me. For a more budget-friendly option, try Hey Dewy Portable Facial Humidifier, another beauty editor's favorite for just $39.