If your skin feels like a scaly mess during the winter, you're not alone. You might be slathering on the moisturizer, but sometimes that's not enough to combat the dry air. According to 2015 research from the National Library of Medicine, the function of the skin barrier is reduced during the winter due to the lack of moisture, allowing cracks to form.

The heat you use to keep your house toasty and the cold hair that blasts you in the face work together to steal that much-needed wetness that keeps your skin supple. Once the moisture is gone, things begin to crack and dry out. Therefore, the American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends adding a humidifier to your home. Adding the moisture back in can help to support your skin's barrier to reduce dry skin and eczema flare-ups and breakouts.

Using one at night can help you reap the most benefits since your skin can absorb all the moisture while you're toasty warm under your covers. Since you've got the deets on how a humidifier helps, it's time to learn how to choose and maintain the right one to reap the most rewards.