Now, we all know that using a humidifier during the winter months is a  necessity.

Of course you need a humidifier in the winter months  when the heat is blasting and the frigid outdoor air dries your skin to the bone. 

But do you really need a humidifier in the warmer months? Before you pack up your humidifier for the season, you’re going to want to read this.

Do you need a humidifier in the summer?

Yes! You can greatly benefit from using a humidifier during the summer months. 

Depending on where you live, as the seasons change you may experience varying levels of heat and humidity.  Although temperature and humidity level outdoors are out of our control, one thing we do have control over is our indoor air quality. The average human spends 93% of their time indoors, so yes, although the temperatures are changing outside, indoor air quality should be a priority. 

So, why would you need a humidifier during the summer months when humidity is high? 

Air conditioning. 

Air conditioning is a beloved weapon against the summer heat. There is nothing quite like returning to a comfortable, air conditioned home after an outdoor excursion in the heat of the summer. While air conditioning makes summer bearable, it also sucks moisture from your home and recycles dry air over and over again, extracting moisture every time the air cycles through your HVAC system. 

If your AC is running, your humidifier should be too.

Chlorine. 

Although extremely refreshing, chlorinated pools can take a serious toll on your skin. Dermatologist Lauren Ploch says chlorine strips your hair and skin of the natural oils in charge of keeping moisture in, leaving your skin dry, itchy, flaky, sensitive, and your hair and nails dry and brittle. Optimizing your indoor humidity with a humidifier can combat dryness and irritation. 

Sun

Summer can be one of the most dehydrating seasons for your skin based on high outdoor temperatures and low indoor temperatures. Even with ample SPF, sun exposure naturally dries out your skin. According to Harvard Health, the sun's heat dries out skin and depletes the skin's supply of natural lubricating oils. Sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation can cause burning and long-term changes in the skin's structure. Sunburns can result in peeling, cracking, and extreme discomfort. Having your humidifier on your bedside table will hydrate your damaged skin and work to repair hydrated skin overnight. 

The constant transition from outdoor heat, chlorine, and sun exposure to dehydrated indoor air can wreak havoc on your skin, airways, scalp, and joints. You can also experience what is known as “sick building syndrome,” which is a phenomenon where you feel symptoms of illness in a particular indoor location due to a number of factors including dehydrated air, inadequate ventilation, or volatile temperatures. 

Running your humidifier in the Summer = necessary.

Optimizing your Indoor Humidity

Optimal humidity levels for your home range from 40% to 60% year around. 

The moisture levels in the home tend to be quite volatile compared to humidity levels in the environment. A hygrometer is a useful tool to measure the humidity levels of your home air; these devices measure the moisture content of the air and present the humidity level in the form of a percentage. 

Although optimal humidity levels indoor should remain consistent regardless of reason, you may prefer to adjust your humidifier depending on the temperature. In the winter months, you may keep your humidifier on the highest setting. In the summer, you may choose to keep it on a lower setting if it is cool outside or the windows are open. Something to remember: if your AC is on, your humidifier should be too. 

Benefits of a humidifier in the summer

We have established that using a humidifier during the summer months is a great way to combat rising temperatures and dry, air conditioned home air. The benefits of using a humidifier in the summer months are vast, but the most prominent benefits are: reduced allergy symptoms, healthy hydrated skin, and cooler home conditions. 

It can… Calm allergies. 

While the heat of summer is a nice break from the dark, cold winter weather, it also brings with it an increase in pollen and mold, which can trigger allergy flare ups. 

Humidifiers are a helpful tool for allergy sufferers since they can help to relieve congestion, sore throat, watery eyes, sinus pain, and inflammation. Turning on your humidifier during the summer months can prevent you from experiencing common allergy symptoms despite the high pollen and mold count.  

It can… Keep your skin healthy and hydrated.

Dry air can make your skin dry, itchy and uncomfortable. In severe cases, you may experience cracks or bleeding. No, thank you!

Aside from outdoor factors, running your AC all night depletes indoor air quality resulting in sub-optimal humidity levels, which can cause your skin to lose moisture overnight.

Humidifiers increase the moisture levels in your home air, which helps to rehydrate the skin by improving the skin’s moisture barrier. The more hydrated your skin, the better you will feel. 

If you are prone to dry, flaky scalp, a humidifier can help! The added moisture in the air from your humidifier will rehydrate your dry, itchy scalp reducing flakiness and irritation over time. 

It can… Keep your home cooler with less energy.

Humidity helps make the heat more bearable. Think about how delicious it feels to stand under a mister on a scaldingly hot day… 

Increasing the humidity levels in your home may not make your home temperature colder, per say, but it will make it feel colder. While your thermostat reads 73 degrees, it may actually feel like 71 degrees with the added moisture. A one time humidifier purchase such as Canopy will pay for itself over time since you can set your air conditioner at a higher temperature while maintaining optimal indoor humidity, and reducing your electricity bill.

So, the conclusion? Yes, you should think twice about storing your humidifier away for the season. 

Hello summer, hello humidifier. 

There are countless essential oil singles and blends available on the market, each with a set of unique therapeutic benefits. Whether you prefer diffusing your essential oils, applying your favorite oils topically with a carrier oil, or some combination of inhalation and topical use, essential oils can make a huge difference in your daily life. 

What are Essential Oils?

An essential oil is a highly concentrated plant extract that is captured through a process of distillation or mechanical pressing. Various parts of the plant are distilled or pressed when developing an essential oil; flowers, stems, bark, fruit, and leaves are all fair game. 

The distillation or pressing process pulls only the pure oil essence from various plants, leaving the remaining water content for various uses including hydrosols. The purity of essential oils is the reason for such a powerful aroma; in order to create just one pound of lavender essential oil, it requires 220 pounds of lavender flowers!

Just as each plant contains a varying therapeutic application in holistic medicine, so does the essential oil produced by each plant. Some essential oils are widely used in aromatherapy as well as in conjunction with western medicine treatments to expedite specific results. 

What is Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy is the medicinal or therapeutic use of essential oil aromas. Aromatherapy comes in the form of inhalation or topical application. 

Before we delve into the key differences between inhalation and topical application, it is important to understand how aromatherapy works. The various scents emitted from essential oils stimulate the olfactory system (including your nose and brain); these scents move through the nasal passage and into the lungs and various parts of the body. When the scent molecules reach the brain, they primarily affect the limbic system. Your limbic system controls your emotions including stress and hormones and regulates your heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing. 

Diffusion

One way to reap the benefits of aromatherapy is by the use of a diffuser. A diffuser uses ultrasonic or evaporative technology to disperse essential oil infused vapor into the air. The aromatherapy benefits will vary depending on the essential oil or combination of essential oils diffused into the room. See our essential oil breakdown, below, for more information on the benefits of each popular essential oil.

Choosing the right aroma diffuser is important. Although less common, evaporative diffusion is the healthiest and cleanest way to diffuse essential oils. Evaporative diffusion is favored over ultrasonic as it requires no mist or water. This allows for the aroma to be diffused into the air without transmitting any oil, bacteria, or mold particles.

In addition to clean humidity, Canopy has a evaporation diffusion feature allowing you to diffuse essential oils with ease. Simply drop a few drops of your favorite essential oil on the diffuser puck, and enjoy the pure aromatherapy benefits. The oils will naturally evaporate into the air around you, providing the cleanest form of aromatherapy. Enjoy all of Canopy’s exclusive aroma kits to unwind, focus, and optimize your home space. 

Topical Application

Another way to revel in the benefits of essential oils is by topical application. When paired with a carrier oil of your choice, a few drops of essential oils can have a magnitude of benefits. Aromatherapy by topical application is a common tactic used by massage therapists; the calming scent of lavender essential oil can promote relaxation while the anti-inflammatory properties of eucalyptus essential oil can relax muscles and ease joint pain. 

What are the Health Benefits of Each Essential Oil?

With countless essential oils on the market,  how do you know what essential oil   will provide the desired benefits? Exploring essential oils for the first time can be overwhelming, so we’ll break this down for you. 

Here are the top ten essential oils and their key physical and mental health benefits. 

Bergamot

Bergamot essential oil is an oil in the citrus family. Bergamot is a popular essential oil used to reduce stress and increase positive sentiment. Diffuse a few drops of bergamot during the winter months to reduce depression, sadness, or grief.  

Chamomile

Ever drank chamomile tea before going to bed to help lull you into sleep? Chamomile is a powerful essential oil with relaxation properties. Chamomile can reduce nervous tension, depression, and anxiety and is safe to use on children when properly diluted. 

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus is often used for its respiratory properties, improving cough and mitigating cold symptoms. Eucalyptus can also be used to reduce joint pain and improve muscle aches, which is why eucalyptus is commonly used in massage therapy.

Lavender

Lavender essential oil is probably one of the most commonly used aromas for calming and relaxation. Lavender oil promotes a restful sleep, especially when diffused in the evening. One of the lesser known qualities of lavender essential oil is the antiseptic properties; when used topically, lavender can help to heal minor burns, scrapes, sunburns, and bruises. 

Lemon

The fresh scent of lemon essential oil can turn a lackluster day right around. Lemon essential oil has antiseptic and antibacterial properties, which make it the perfect essential oil for disinfecting a space. You will often see lemon essential oil used in home, DIY cleaners or in naturally-scented home cleaners. Lemon can also be used in conjunction with other essential oils to reduce dark spots on the skin; the use of lemon essential oil can increase photosensitivity if not protected with sufficient sunscreen.

Peppermint

While peppermint aromas can make you reminiscent of winter, particularly sitting by the fireplace while sipping a peppermint hot cocoa, peppermint has a variety of health benefits. Peppermint can produce a “zing” of energy and is often used to promote focus, memory, and alertness. In addition, peppermint can ease tension headaches and reduce muscle aches or muscle pain.

Sandalwood

Sandalwood is a rich ingredient used in many spiritual practices for grounding and balance. Sandalwood is thought to improve spiritual connection and is often used in chakra work.

Tea Tree

Tea tree essential oil is a common ingredient found in natural or clean beauty acne products. The antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties found in this essential oil make it the perfect mild acne treatment. Tea tree can also be used to treat insect stings.  

Ylang Ylang

Ylang Ylang is a particularly effective essential oil for emotional well-being. This oil is thought to stimulate feelings of confidence and self-assurance and reduce sentiments of anxiety and depression. What can’t Ylang Ylnang do?

Pro Tip: You can also find blends or diffuse multiple oils together at once to reap the ample benefits.  

Maintaining healthy skin for your bundle of joy can be slightly overwhelming. How do you care for brand new skin? 

Baby skin has never been exposed to city pollution nor been burnt from laying out in the sun too long. It has never suffered PIH from premature pimple popping or been scratched so hard it bled. Baby skin is fresh and perfect. Unadulterated, if you will. 

You can keep your little darling’s skin fresh, vibrant, and clear by adhering to a few healthy skin tips along the way. But first, let’s dive into skin function and the importance of healthy skin. 

Importance of Maintaining Healthy Skin

Before we delve into why healthy skin is so important and crucial to your overall health, let’s define healthy skin. 

Healthy skin is smooth, hydrated, and warm with no visible cracks, bumps or lesions. Healthy skin has abundant collagen and elastin. Think of pinchable baby cheeks… Babies have loads of collagen and elastin in their skin, which contributes to those chubby cheeks we all know and love. 

Why is Healthy Skin Important?

The skin is your body’s largest organ and serves the following functions:

• Protects the internal organs from external threats
• Prevents germs and bacteria from entering the body and impacting internal organs
• Regulates body temperature
• Alerts the body of external threat through your sense of touch (think: pain and extreme temperatures)
• Converts sunlight into Vitamin D, which helps the body absorb calcium (a crucial mineral for bone development)
• Prevents body dehydration by regulating TEWL (transepidermal water loss)

Have a little more appreciation for skin now? Good! Skin plays a crucial role in keeping the rest of your body healthy and disease free. 

5 Tips for Maintaining a Baby’s Healthy Skin

Aside from being plump, silky smooth, and downright squeezable, baby skin is ultra sensitive. One day your tot has a perfectly healthy tummy and bum, and the next day you’re staring straight into a painful-looking rash. Sometimes you just can’t win. 

Here are a few tips to keeping your baby’s skin healthy and smooth:

Keep Baths Simple

Up until your love bug starts crawling around the house, you really only need three baths a week. While this seems counterintuitive to our adult daily showers, baby skin is very sensitive and prone to dryness and irritating rashes. 

After moving to daily baths to remove the dirt, sand, poop, or various other sticky textures from your child’s hands and feet, you may feel tempted to use ample amounts of shampoo to remove the goo. Not so fast! You only need to use sensitive, baby-specific shampoo every other bath (unless there’s a blow-out) and you don’t need very much to get the job done - about a teaspoon-sized amount should suffice. 

Opt for Natural Ingredients

While natural isn’t always better, choosing natural or plant-derived ingredients to use on your bean is the best option. Organic skin care or body care products are more likely to be free from irritants like synthetic fragrances, artificial colors, parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and more. 

Say “No” to Powder

Diaper rash is an inevitable reality. Whether you just started solid foods and a particular ingredient did not agree with their tummy, or you tried a new brand of diapers since they were out of your go-to brand, your cutie pie will get a rash. 

You may be inclined to use baby powder after wiping the area clean with a wet wipe, but experts now advise against the use of baby powder. Instead, opt for an organic or natural diaper rash cream and wipe clean every change. 

If you have loads of baby powder sitting in your baby’s nursery, baby powder actually works great as a dry shampoo in a pinch, so save that full bottle of powder (maybe put it in a fancy glass jar) and keep it on your vanity. 

Dress in Layers

Not only are your baby’s brain, appendages, muscles, and countless other things developing in the early stages of life, their sweat glands are also in development! This fun fact makes your tiny more inclined to develop an uncomfortable heat rash. Dressing your little one in layers allows you to control the temperature by removing or adding layers as necessary according to the thermostat. 

Use a Humidifier

The fall and winter months bring colder weather and dry winds. We combat those cold temperatures by cranking the heater to stay warm. The combination of cold weather and higher thermostat temperatures can lead to a serious case of dry air. 

Extended exposure to dry air can cause a bevy of health issues for not only you, but your munchkin as well. Some of these health issues include: dry eyes, dry skin, congestion, sore throat, a proclivity for catching the flu or cold viruses, and more.

Using a humidifier in your baby’s nursery can help raise humidity levels to a comfortable range, which will help your precious baby battle the elements with ease. In order to reap the benefits of humidity, a humidifier must be used for the nursery to reach optimal humidity (40-60%). Always use an evaporative humidifier, to avoid the spread of bacteria and potential mold growth. 

How Can a Humidifier Help a Baby?

A humidifier is one of the most useful tools for your baby’s nursery. Whether you are a first-time parent or a seasoned veteran with multiple children, a humidifier is an important device to have on-hand. 

Regular use of a humidifier in your baby’s nursery can help to ease cold symptoms including congestion and sore throat, improve dry or irritated skin, and a humidifier can serve as a preventative tool to keep your bundle of joy safe and healthy all year long.  

Ease Cold Symptoms

When your little one  catches a cold, which most children do at some point in their early life, it can be heart wrenching to watch them struggle. Congestion interferes with their breathing, a dry and itchy throat leads to excessive coughing, and they wriggle in uncomfortability.

A humidifier can help to ease cold symptoms in both adults and children. The increased moisture content from your humidifier device will help to lubricate the throat and nasal passages resulting in congestion relief and the improvement of a dry, scratchy throat. 

Improve Dry, Irritated Skin

As we discussed in the previous section, baby skin is very sensitive and requires a little extra TLC. For new parents, it can seem like dry skin or rashes appear out of thin air. 

Regular use of a humidifier in your child’s nursery can reduce TEWL resulting in higher levels of moisture on the skin. TEWL is the process of the skin releasing water into the surrounding environment by way of evaporation. Dry and cold weather conditions increase TEWL while warm, humid environments decrease TEWL. 

Optimal humidity can improve the moisture content of the skin, which hydrates the skin and reduces the likelihood of eczema flare ups (atopic dermatitis affects 13% of children under 5-years-old). 

Prevention

You don’t have to wait until your little angel gets sick or has an unpleasant eczema flare up to run your humidifier. Humidifiers can serve as a preventative tool, as well. 

Maintaining optimal levels of humidity 24 hours a day, 365 days a year can ensure a comfortable, safe, and healthy environment for you and your family. Optimal humidity levels can help to:

• Reduce the spread and survival of viruses
• Ensure proper lubrication of throat and nasal passages to prevent infection, congestion, and cough 
• Keep the skin moisture barrier in tact, preventing dry or dehydrated skin

Use your smart thermostat or a handy hygrometer to measure your home humidity levels. Optimal humidity range is 40-60% 

Which humidifier is the best for your baby?