When finding ways to hydrate your skin, your first thoughts are probably things you drink, eat, or rub on your skin. But one of the best ways to keep your skin hydrated is to change your environment!
If the air around you is dry all day it’s going to undo a lot of the good work you do moisturising and drinking lots of water. On the other hand, if you make sure your home environment is humidified, all that moisture in the air will boost your skin’s hydration all day.
So, what’s the best way to start humidifying the atmosphere of your home without negatively affecting the environment?
One option is to buy an energy-efficient humidifier but that still means increasing your carbon footprint a little. But don’t worry, there are plenty of amazing, all-natural ways to get moisture into the air.
Option 1: Collect some pine cones
You may have seen pinecones used decoratively around people’s houses. The can definitely add a folksy, homey feel – but did you know they can also keep your home moisturised?
First, just take a picnic lunch and head to a forest with pine trees. You’ll find the cones scattered all over the place and shouldn’t even need to go climbing – although if you miss climbing trees as a kid, here’s a perfect excuse!
Collect as many pine cones as you’ll need then take them home, brush and wash them thoroughly, then let them dry out. Once they’re bone dry, soak them in water for 30 to 60 minutes.
As they soak, the pine cones will absorb a lot of water through tiny holes in their surfaces. They’ll retain that water during warm, humid weather. But once the days turn cold and dry in winter or autumn, they’ll discharge it and humidify the air naturally!
The best part is, you can reuse them over and over.
Option 2: Get some greenery
If you don’t already have houseplants, it’s time to start. Having greenery around you is great for your mental and physical health, makes any home more inviting and gorgeous, and – you guessed it – keeps your home more humid.
We all know plants need water to survive, but what you might not know is that they also release moisture in a process called ‘transpiration’. That water you feed your plants travels through them, helping them grow, then some of it is released back into the air through pores on the underside of leaves.
Plants are fairly inexpensive to buy, and you may be able to transplant cuttings from friends’ houseplants. Do some research into which will be best for you home. You need to think about how much light your house gets, as some pants will struggle in low-light conditions. If you have pets, you’ll need to check plant toxicity as well!
Once you have your plants, set them up in clusters around your home to create humid zones. For example, if you work from home, make sure your desk has lots of houseplants. Your bedroom is another great place, as plants will stop your skin drying out while you sleep on cold nights.
Be sure to ask about the best way to look after your plants. The healthier they are, the healthier your skin will be.
Option 3: Fish are your friends
One of the most visually appealing ways to keep moisture in the air at home is with a fish tank or three.
Not only will the large bodies of clear, clean water keep the atmosphere in your home humidified and fresh, but the fish themselves can provide entertainment and relaxation. Watching fish is a bit like staring at nature’s lava lamp!
Of course, the big downside here is that fish, fish tanks, and their upkeep isn’t cheap. But if you have the money, this is a great option that combines especially well with houseplants.
Option 4: Drying clothes: turn a chore into hydration!
During winter, you probably can’t hang your clothes outside anyway so hang them in your room overnight instead. As they dry, they’ll release moisture and humidify your room.
This is especially important if you’re using a heater or seeking air conditioning installation Birmingham services to keep your home cool. They really dry out your skin and the extra moisture will counteract this problem.
Of course, you probably don’t do laundry every day, but you can always put aside a towel for the purpose. Just wet it each night before bed and let it moisturise you as you sleep.
Option 5: Literally just a bucket of water
It might sound silly (there’s a reason this is option 5) but simply leaving a bucket of water to evaporate in your main living space will help keep your skin hydrated.
It’s not as aesthetically pleasing as pine cones, houseplants, or a fish tank but it gets the job done. You can also use a bowl of water – which looks a little nicer – but the higher volume of water in a bucket works much better.
Again, this is especially good if you have air conditioners or heaters running. Anything that dried out the air around you dries out your skin.
