Abstract: A humidity controlling apparatus comprising: a moisture absorption unit including a base material rotatable about a rotation shaft and a macromolecular moisture absorbent provided in a layer on an outer periphery of the base material; and a heat source partially heating the moisture absorption unit, the macromolecular moisture absorbent having a hydrophilic state capable of absorbing moisture in the air and a hydrophobic state which releases the moisture sorbed in the hydrophilic state, the macromolecular moisture absorbent having a nature such that when temperature rises, the macromolecular moisture absorbent changes from the hydrophilic state to the hydrophobic state, and when the temperature falls, the macromolecular moisture absorbent returns from the hydrophobic state to the hydrophilic state, requires small thermal energy and can efficiently control humidity.

Abstract: A humidity controlling apparatus comprises: a moisture absorbent (1) made of a macromolecular gelated moisture absorbing material which takes a first state being capable of absorbing moisture and a second state releasing in a liquid state the moisture absorbed in the first state, and which has a nature to change from the first state to the second state when a definite level of temperature or higher is attained, and return to the first state when the definite level of temperature or higher is no longer attained; and an energy converting particle (2) which is disposed so as to be buried inside the moisture absorbent and has a nature to generate heat when it is exposed to an external stimulus factor which is at least one of light, electric waves and a high frequency magnetic field.

Abstract: A method for increasing a moisture content of a skin and improving skin elasticity by improving a moisture retaining function of a dermis without generating steam, mist and the like, and a beauty apparatus that supplies moisture to a skin are provided. A user is irradiated with positive and negative ions which are generated by using ion generation means 6 and carried by a low-speed air current from a blower 7, and a concentration of the ions for irradiating a skin surface is elevated to be a predetermined value or more, whereby the positive and negative ions react to produce water, which moistens the skin, and improves skin elasticity. Further, when the ions supplied from the ion generation means 6 is released from a blowoff port 61, the blowing speed is controlled at a low level while elevating the ion concentration.