Alright men, it’s time to buy a humidifier. With no end to the cold in sight, most of us have been running the heat 24/7. Although it feels great to cozy up indoors on these cold winter days, there’s one thing that we often ignore - humidity level.

One big side effect of crankin’ up the heat is that it dries out the air around us. It’s a good idea to always check the humidity level. Ideally, you want to see it around 35-50%. In order to measure the humidity level, you need to use a device called a hygrometer. Don’t have one? Well it’s not hard to tell if you’re on the low side. When the air is too dry, your skin dries out, lips get chapped, and your nose and throat can feel scratchy. Another way to tell is from static electricity. If you find yourself getting shocked more frequently as you make your way around the house, then the humidity level inside is too low.

The simple way to increase the humidity is to buy a humidifier. Gear Patrol recommends the Air-O-Swiss Ultrasonic Humidifier (7135). This easy-to-use, quiet humidifier features a programmable LCD display with a built-in hygrostat that allows you to control the output and humidity level. This model also features their Ionic Silver Stick, which controls microbial growth, as well as a demineralization cartridge that helps prevent lime scale and mineral residues. The result is a fine, clean mist of pure water. So what are you waiting for? We all need a little hydration to remedy that rough, dry winter skin.

Cost: $170 @ iAllergy | Amazon