The Canopy Humidifier Transformed My Dry Skin
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GOOD GEAR RATING — 7/10 STARS
Summary: After two weeks of testing the Canopy humidifier, I’m excited to recommend this device for people who are looking to up the ante on their well-being routine, as well as folks who need a little bit more hydration in their nighttime skincare routine. The price point for the humidifier is in the middle range (including replacement filters), but with regular use, this purchase can last several years. This humidifier is a great addition for folks who have skin health goals that include more moisture.
Pros
- Canopy is a dermatologist-recommended humidifier designed for optimizing skincare and sleep health, with advanced no-mist and LED light technology in order to inhibit mold growth and promote overall skin resilience
- Choose from a variety of different scents based on your olfactory preferences for relaxation and well-being; the fragrances are soft, pleasant, and not overpowering before or during sleep
- The humidifier’s tank, cap, and tray are all dishwasher-safe which makes regular maintenance easy and quick
- Results from the humidifier can vary, but overall Canopy yields a result over a period of seven to ten days; clearer, more radiant skin was observed
Cons
- At $150 and $10/$25 every 45 days for filters and essential oils, Canopy is a moderate investment to consider
- Use of essential oils — depending on frequency, amount, and overall health — can be unsafe for pets and newborns
While I’m a fan of nourishing moisturizers and hydrating sheet masks, sometimes I let my daily regimen fall to the wayside and my skin suffers for it (hello, dryness). And, that’s when I stumbled upon Canopy, a small but mighty eco-friendly humidifier. Founded by Justin Seidenfeld, the brand aims to unlock the full potential of anyone’s beauty and wellness routine, and Canopy is made up of a self-described “small group of product nerds and beauty junkies based in New York City.” Okay so, that got me thinking — how could a humidifier help my skin and maybe even support my nighttime routine, like getting some deeper Zs?
Quick poll: What’s in your skincare routine and do you *actually* stick to it? Whether you self-describe as a skincare devotee or a total newbie, it’s easy to let a day (or night) slip by. And honestly, same. 🙃 Let us know in the comments!
But first, why choose a Canopy humidifier?
Canopy is a dermatologist-recommend and pediatrician-approved humidity device that provides moisture with an LED light and no-mist technology that inhibits mold so the air is clean and bacteria- and allergen-free. This skin-friendly device comes with aroma diffusion (with many relaxing scents) and it’s easy to clean (it even has dishwasher-safe components!).
It’s no secret that good sleep is the foundation for a healthy body and mind. That being said, I got even more excited to try out this fun-sized humidifier. The humidifier is also designed with a focus on rest and rejuvenation, and hydration as a key proponent behind that ethos. If my nights could involve deeper rest and better skin, why not give it a whirl?
Then, I did some digging: Canopy prioritizes an experience that’s free from harmful ingredients, synthetic dyes, parabens, mineral oils, sulfates, and phthalates. Their aromas are formulated with pure essential oils and the product is entirely vegan and cruelty-free (that goes for the humidifier itself, too). And as I mentioned earlier, the humidifier’s tank, cap, and tray can all be put in the dishwasher which makes regular maintenance a breeze.
How does the Canopy humidifier work?
So far, so good. Which brings me to my next point — how does the device work? Installation is simple with a few plug-and-play-style parts, add distilled water, and press the on/off button.
The device is designed with simplicity in mind and once on, the humidifier activates auto mode which helps the device optimize performance while preventing potential mold growth. (FYI for the detail-oriented: This particular mode utilizes a light sensor that continually adjusts evaporation rates and performance so it’s working when it matters most, like in the evenings.)
A note before my test
Basically, I was ready to dive in and start testing the Canopy humidifier. But I consider myself a healthy skeptic. Could this device really support my skin goals? As much as I love a good recommendation from my BFF or a well-researched article, I don’t fall for hype easily because results and progress are inherently personal.
The skin microbiome is unique and requires different care based on the individual — myself included. Now, I do self-identify as a level-headed beauty enthusiast: I see a dermatologist on the regular, and I have a simple morning and nighttime routine that focuses on overall skin health and longevity (which includes SPF and retinol). I get Botox a few times a year and I splurge on a professional facial every two to three months.
Why am I telling you all this? I’m transparent about my skincare because this is what works for me, and my results may not be the typical experience for someone else.
This is also to note that I tested Canopy with a specific mindset: 1) My ongoing regimen may positively impact the results 2) I aim to level set my personal results against any marketing expectations or influencer hype.
Alrighty, let’s get to it.
The Canopy Bedside Humidifier retails for $150. However, according to best practices on the retailer’s site, it’s recommended that the humidifier’s paper filter get replaced every six weeks. This means you may want to consider a subscription offering from the brand. There are two to choose from: A humidifier and filter subscription for $135 (a new filter is delivered for $10 every 45 days) or a humidifier, filter, and aroma subscription for $125 (a filter and essential oils are delivered for $25 every 45 days). So, the costs could potentially add up annually.
The device itself is small and modern-looking without taking up too much space. It can fit in any nook, nightstand, or corner with ease. Even with a power cable, it still doesn’t take up a ton of real estate in my Brooklyn apartment (which is nice!). The brand does state that the humidifier can work in any room, particularly the bedroom and close to the bed since it doesn’t produce any mist. (FYI: You will not see any mist during or after use. While you can hear the humidifier working, the moisture will be invisible to the naked eye.)
“The humidifier has a simple design with soft, rounded edges and three parts: a tank, cap, and tray.”
The humidifier has a simple design with soft, rounded edges and three parts: a tank, cap, and tray. The top of the cap features a square-shaped area for the aroma puck and that’s where I dispersed a few drops of essential oil. My particular box came with the Rituals Aroma kit, which includes scents like a chamomile and sea salt blend, lemon and tea olive, and sweet basil. This trio aims to be a “balancing and sweet” blend of scents for rest and relaxation.
There’s a small technical guide that comes with the humidifier, and the device itself snaps together in just a few moments. I put everything together in about 60 seconds and plugged it in to start testing. There’s no app to fumble with or a device to charge, so it is a nice change of pace to just power on the humidifier and go about my day.
When I first began testing the humidifier, I originally kept it in the bedroom near the foot of my bed but it was quite loud like a large box fan. I also wanted to test the device with the three essential oils but I have a small dog that often sleeps next to me (cue: major “aw”) and I didn’t want to give my pet prolonged exposure to the essential oil-based aroma.
“A word of caution, if you do want to move the device and the tank is filled with water, empty the tank first.”
If you need a quieter sleep environment like me and want to try scents (I tested it the first evening without the aromas), consider moving it to a different room. For the rest of the testing period, I kept the device in an open office area in my living room and slept with my bedroom door open. A word of caution, if you do want to move the device and the tank is filled with water, empty the tank first. I didn’t, and water promptly spilled all over.
Circling back to essential oils for a minute, I was a bit conservative with the recommended drop usage. On the product page for my kit, the retailer states to “drop 5 to 8 drops of oil onto Aroma Puck or Felt Diffuser, or place bottle in Diffusion Well.” While Canopy offers some helpful blog posts on their site for humidifiers and pet care, I decided to use an average of two to five drops per sleep session.
“With a full tank of water and a few drops of the clean scent Salt Cave, my first few nights of sleep were pleasant and rested.”
With a full tank of water and a few drops of the clean scent Salt Cave, my first few nights of sleep were comfortable and restful, but I didn’t notice any immediate difference in my skin. (As I mentioned, since the machine is quite noisy, I left the device outside of my bedroom for the most of product testing.)
Over the next few nights, I experimented with the remaining scents and was pleasantly surprised by their soft and unassuming odor. In my opinion, the scents were light and pleasing, and may increase with added drops, but in my experience, the scent didn’t get heavier or thicker when I accidentally added more drops (when I once shook the essential bottle a tad too hard). If you’re looking for strong aromas that fill up a room for hours on end, these essential oil kits may not be for you.
Since using the humidifier nightly and for hours at a time — usually when I wake up, the device is off, which means the space reached a supportive moisture level. I did notice a softer skin texture, smoother consistency, and overall improved — but subtle — radiance. The device does seem to create small and impactful results that build over time (as I noticed a difference seven to ten days later). I’m intrigued and plan to keep using it with the hope that I’ll continue to see improvement 30 or 60 days from now.
Okay so, are there any cons?
The noise is a big factor. If you’re a light sleeper or not keen on white noise, it might be distracting as you sleep.
Another drawback might be the paper filter and/or essential oil replacement fees because even though the costs are minimal upfront but can add up over time.
And finally, if you’re a pet owner or a parent of a newborn, the aspect of essential oils may give you pause. Personally, I opted to use a very small amount of the product to test out the scent, but am not an avid user of essential oils in general because of my pet. Canopy does have an aromatherapy collection that’s specifically formulated for babies three months and older. And you can always opt out of using essential oils altogether.
All in all, I would recommend Canopy if you’re someone who’s looking to support their skin regimen. If you’re particularly interested in adding to a nighttime routine and need a higher level of skin hydration, then it’s a good idea to invest in the product. There’s some new customer and introductory offers to take advantage of, which can mitigate some of the ongoing subscription costs.
Before & After
Stephanie Valente is a copywriter and editor covering wellness, commerce, lifestyle — and more — for publications like Brooklyn Magazine and The Good Trade. Based in Brooklyn, she’s often writing poetry, getting lost in a book, or hanging out with her dog.
This review is not sponsored and contains the author’s personal experience. Good Gear purchased this product. Read more about our review process here.
