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As a born-and-raised New Yorker, I am obligated to mention that I am a born-and-raised New Yorker even though nobody asked (those are the rules, sorry). It also means that, until moving to the West Coast, I had never really experienced the extent of dry weather and its impact on skin and overall wellness. Despite the best efforts of the ever-iconic duo––my melanin and the California sun––my face was becoming noticeably more dry and dull. Almost nightly I would wake up with a slight burning sensation in my nose and throat, with a thirst that could only be quenched by 2-3 glasses of water. Between my new skin texture and loss of sleep, I knew something needed to change in my routine. I tried many different methods of hydration: I bought a 48oz water bottle that I made sure to finish twice over; I bought thicker night creams; I even tried to eat more cucumbers. While these remedies didn’t hurt, I wasn’t seeing the results I wanted. I missed my East Coast skin and uninterrupted REM sleep.
I soon realized that no topical solution was enough to supplement the low humidity level in the old attic bedroom of my East Bay apartment. My skin was rapidly losing moisture overnight, and I needed to go straight to the source: the dry air. My preliminary humidifier search left me with many pricey, cumbersome-looking options, and as a first-time user, I found it hard to know where to begin.
Enter: Canopy. I started seeing ads for this little cutie a few months ago. Co-signed by dermatologists as “Healthy Skin’s Best Kept Secret,” the Canopy Humidifier emits filtered, hydrated air that helps combat dry skin directly. Until I learned about Canopy’s anti-mist technology, I didn’t realize how damaging misting humidifiers could actually be to your skin and lungs. Mist carries dust, bacteria, and whatever other particles have been sitting in that water. With Canopy, it’s just clean, invisible moisture. Considering how extra important it has been to care for our lungs this year, it seemed like a no brainer. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on one.
I ordered the Canopy Humidifier in Green, and because this do-it-all machine also works as an aroma diffuser, I got a pack of essential oils to go along with it. The three scents, Dawn, Midday, and Dusk, are from their collaboration with ultra-cool home goods company, Open Spaces. The oils were designed to accentuate the best aspects of each time of day. For those of us who are spending more time at home, aromatherapy is a lovely way to subconsciously split up the monotony.
Right off the bat, I loved the packaging. The box contained the humidifier itself, wrapped in paper and tied up with a little bow; the Open Spaces Aroma Kit; and very straightforward instructions. Including filling the tank with water, overall set up took no more than five minutes. Because of the filter, I didn’t have to worry about using distilled water as I might with other humidifiers –– I just filled it up in my kitchen sink and was ready to go!
A Good Night’s Sleep
Canopy claims to hydrate rooms up to 500 square feet, and at 438, my room comes in just under the max limit. I was a bit wary that it would be able to fill the whole room, and although the scent doesn’t make it too far, I can feel a noticeable difference in humidity when I walk upstairs from the kitchen. The moisture in the air is palpable; I’ve been able to sleep through the night without waking up to chug. When I do happen to wake up, I have been breathing way more easily, with no dryness or stuffiness in my nose (and through both nostrils. Huge!) On days when I feel too lazy to refill the tank, the overnight dry mouth effects are clear and immediate. The newly hydrated air has even helped revive one of my houseplants!
The moisture in the air is palpable; I’ve been able to sleep through the night without waking up to chug. When I do happen to wake up, I have been breathing way more easily, with no dryness or stuffiness in my nose (and through both nostrils. Huge!) On days when I feel too lazy to refill the tank, the overnight dry mouth effects are clear and immediate. The newly hydrated air has even helped revive one of my houseplants!
A lovely added bonus from the Canopy humidifier is its use as a white noise machine. I grew up falling asleep to constant, loud background noise. Although I’ve spent years away from home, I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to sleep soundly in a quiet room. The sound it makes is subtle enough to not be bothersome, and now I can’t sleep without it. Canopy’s size and sleek design also makes it a welcome addition to my nightstand. Win-win-win.
“Healthy Skin’s Best Kept Secret”
I have definitely noticed a difference in my skin’s appearance. Most importantly, it has increased the effectiveness of the skincare products I use –– the drier parts of my face are less irritated after an acne wash, and I’ve been able to cut down on the amount of moisturizing cream I use from twice a day to only once at night. As promised, it’s a subtle but necessary addition to my skincare regimen, and one that keeps working its magic even outside of the dryer seasons.
Final Verdict
I recognize my privilege in saying this, but it did not occur to me to think about the air I was breathing until “fire season,” or the brief moment this past September when the Bay Area had the worst air quality in the world. Not only was the air around me drying out my skin, but it was unsafe ––actively dangerous, even–– to breathe. As a humidifier that purifies the air, Canopy has helped me adjust to this new climate in more ways than one.
What seems to set Canopy apart from other humidifiers is their signature technology, Smart Persistent Airflow (SPA), that pumps out humid air as long as any water is detected in the system. Along with the built-in UV LED light, this prevents mold growth inside the product, which is a problem I’ve encountered with diffusers in the past (and have heard in reference to misting humidifiers as well).
What seems to set Canopy apart from other humidifiers is their signature technology, Smart Persistent Airflow (SPA), that pumps out humid air as long as any water is detected in the system. Along with the built-in UV LED light, this prevents mold growth inside the product, which is a problem I’ve encountered with diffusers in the past (and have heard in reference to misting humidifiers as well). When it does come time to clean it, the process is quick and painless –– just disassemble and pop the parts in the dishwasher.
While I enjoy the Open Spaces scents themselves (Dawn is my personal favorite), I do find that it does not circulate fully throughout my room. I could only really smell it near and around my bed. This seemed to be the only downside of my experience, and it’s not one I personally mind all that much.
Overall, I’ve had a great experience with this product, and as a first-time humidifier owner, I see absolutely no reason to try any other in my current living space. Canopy is incredibly user-friendly, multi-functional, and looks great with the rest of my decor. This model is a perfect way to keep your skin, wallet, and sinuses glowing and happy year-round.
5 More Reasons To Love Canopy:
- Canopy helps soothe dry sinuses and relieves sore throats and congestion, making it a helpful aid for both flu and allergy symptoms.
- Canopy’s smart sensors know when to turn on and off for optimal efficacy –– like increasing humidity at night, when your skin needs it the most.
- No need for guessing or trouble shooting: the “Water” light will turn on when it needs more water, and the “Filter” light will illuminate when the filter needs to be changed.
- The packaging is primarily paper and cardboard, so you do not have to worry about filling your trash with plastic waste.
- The machine is a fan favorite, with reviews on Vogue, Allure, and even the Today Show
