Share:
When it comes to skin health, we often focus on the topical products we use - moisturizers, serums, cleansers and more. However, one crucial factor that is often overlooked is the quality of the water we use on our skin every single day. The water you shower in, wash your face with, and even drink can have a major impact on the look and feel of your skin. Here's what you need to know about how water quality affects your skin's health and radiance.
The Dangers of Hard Water
If you live in an area with hard water, chances are your skin has felt the effects. Hard water refers to water that contains high levels of dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium. While these minerals are beneficial when ingested, when it comes to your skin, they can wreak havoc.
When you shower or wash your face in hard water, those mineral deposits are left behind on your skin. Over time, this can leave your complexion looking dull, dry and prone to premature aging. The mineral buildup can also clog pores, leading to acne breakouts and inflammation.
Some telltale signs your skin is being impacted by hard water include:
- Dryness, tightness, and flakiness after washing
- Dull, lackluster complexion
- Increased incidence of acne or clogged pores
- Early development of fine lines and wrinkles
- Skin feeling sticky or having a film-like residue
If you are experiencing these issues and aren't sure about your water quality, an easy way to test for hardness is to simply look at the fixtures in your bathroom after a hot shower. Do you see white/off-white crusty buildup? That's a surefire sign of mineral deposits from hard water.
Problems With Soft Water
On the opposite end of the spectrum, extremely soft water can also pose challenges for healthy skin. Soft water is treated to remove most mineral concentrations. While this prevents issues like dryness and buildup, water that is too soft and pure can actually strip away your skin's protective oils and disrupt its acid mantle.
Signs your skin may be affected by very soft water include:
- Excessive tightness and dryness
- Redness, sensitivity and irritation
- Accelerated aging (think fine lines and wrinkles)
The ideal for skin is water with a moderate mineral concentration - not too hard and not too soft.
The Chlorine Conundrum
In addition to mineral content, chlorine levels can impact your skin in a major way. Chlorine is added to water as a disinfectant to kill bacteria and is present in both drinking water and pool/jacuzzi sources.
While chlorine does an effective job at sterilization, it can also strip your skin's oils and surface layers. This can trigger dryness, irritation, accelerated aging, discoloration and even trigger conditions like eczema. The effects are often compounded for those with sensitive skin types.
Signs your complexion is suffering from excess chlorine exposure:
- Extreme dryness, tightness, roughness
- Redness, burning, stinging sensations
- Increased eczema, rosacea, or dermatitis flare-ups
- Early fine lines and wrinkles
- Dull, sallow skin tone
If you frequently swim in chlorinated pools or live in an area with high chlorine levels in the tap water, your skin may exhibit these symptoms of damage over time.
Solutions for Healthier Skin
So what can you do to protect your complexion from the damaging effects of poor water quality? Here are some remedial and preventative steps:
Install a Water Softener/Filtration System
To balance out mineral levels, many choose to install whole-home water softeners or dual filters. These systems help remove specific hard mineral concentrations while allowing some mineral content to remain. They also remove chlorine, chloramine, sediment and other contaminants.
Use a Shower Filter
For a simpler solution, you can attach a shower filter directly to your showerhead. These filters help reduce chlorine and soften water just for your shower/bathing experience.
Use a Good Towel Post Shower
Alta copper-infused towels utilize copper’s natural antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties to enhance skin health, making them a great addition to your skincare routine.
Apply a Rich Moisturizer
After drying off, always apply a hydrating, fragrance-free moisturizer to counteract any drying effects of mineral residue or chlorine exposure. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides and plant oils/butters.
Drink Purified Water
The water you drink can impact your skin just as much as bathing water. Make sure to drink purified water that has been properly filtered to remove hard minerals, chlorine and other contaminants that could dry out your skin from the inside.
Add a Humidifier
Hard water can severely deplete moisture levels in your indoor air. Using a humidifier, especially in dry winter months, can help rehydrate your skin's surface.
Exfoliate Regularly
With hard water particularly, it's important to exfoliate 1-2 times per week to slough off any mineral buildup, chlorine residue or dead, dull surface cells. Use a gentle scrub or chemical exfoliant with alpha hydroxy acids.
By being mindful of your water quality and taking a few key steps, you can minimize its aging effects on your complexion. Soft, supple, radiant skin is within reach!
References
American Academy of Dermatology Association. "Hard Water's Impact on Skin."
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. "Effects of Mineral Content in Water on Skin Health."
Water Quality Association. "Solutions to Hard Water Issues."
International Journal of Dermatology. "Chlorine Exposure and Skin Integrity."
