Will a Water Filter Help My Skin?

Did you know that the minerals and chemicals like chlorine that are often in the water you wash your face with could be contributing to skin issues like dryness, redness, or acne? Because of this, it can be beneficial to get a water filter that goes on your shower head or sink faucet to remove minerals, chlorine, and even heavy metals. Using a water filter can be especially helpful for people with dry or sensitive skin, inflammatory skin conditions like eczema or rosacea, or those who live in areas with hard water (water with high mineral content).

In this guide, I’ll explain more about how using a water filter could help your skin and share some of my favorite shower head attachments that make filtering your water easy. 

Anyone with any skin type may benefit from using a water filter, but it will be most beneficial if you fall into any of these categories:

Hard water can make dry skin worse by leaving behind mineral residues, such as calcium or magnesium, which can further deplete the skin’s natural oils. This disrupts the skin’s barrier function, increasing transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and making the skin feel tight and flaky. By removing these minerals, a water filter helps the skin to retain moisture and promotes healthy barrier function.

Sensitive skin is more reactive to environmental irritants, and exposure to chlorine, heavy metals, and other contaminants in tap water can trigger inflammatory responses such as redness, itching, and irritation. Chlorine, in particular, is a chemical irritant commonly added to public water supplies for disinfection. The downside is that it not only strips the skin of its natural oils but also disrupts the skin’s microbiome, which can worsen skin sensitivity and inflammation.

Chronic inflammatory skin conditions like eczema (atopic dermatitis) and rosacea are often triggered or worsened by chemicals and harsh minerals in water. For eczema, exposure to calcium and magnesium in hard water can increase the skin’s pH, leading to a breakdown of the lipid barrier and triggering symptom flare-ups. Similarly, redness and stinging linked to rosacea can be aggravated by irritants like chlorine and heavy metals. 

Chlorine found in some public water systems is also known to cause a specific type of acne called chloracne. If you are struggling to get rid of acne despite using the right skin care products for your skin, consider checking your water to see if it is high in chlorine.

Using a water filter can help to minimize these triggers, reducing inflammation and helping to prevent flare-ups of these conditions.

Hard water is defined as water with high concentrations of dissolved minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium ions. When hard water is used for bathing, these minerals interact with fatty acids in soap, forming soap scum that can be left on the skin. This residue clogs pores, disrupts the skin barrier, and contributes to conditions like acne or dryness. It can also cause you to use more product than you need, as these minerals reduce the foaming capacity of detergent ingredients in skin care products. This can also contribute to dryness and irritation.

Not all water filters are created equal. When shopping for a water filter, check to see what it does and does not filter out. Ideally, your water filter will remove a broad range of contaminants, including minerals, chlorine, and heavy metals. Some water filters might only remove minerals, while others focus on chemicals like chlorine.

The Jolie shower filter is one of the top selling water filter options for improving skin health, since it filters out harsh minerals like calcium and magnesium, along with chlorine and heavy metals. 

There is no disadvantage for your skin when using a water filter, but there are a few considerations to keep in mind before purchasing one. 

• Upkeep. You’ll need to replace your water filter cartridge periodically, usually every 3 to 6 months, depending on the brand and how much you use it. 
• Cost. Quality water filters can be a bit costly upfront. However, the long-term benefits for your skin can outweigh this cost by reducing the need for expensive skincare products aimed at treating dry or irritated skin caused by contaminants in your water. 
• Not all filters remove everything. Do your research before buying a water filter. Not all of them remove every substance. Read product details carefully to ensure you’re getting the most bang for your buck. 

You might already suspect that you have hard water if you’ve noticed that your skin feels dry or your hair is brittle after a shower. However, if you want to be sure, there are a few ways to check:

• Request a water report. Most cities or boroughs provide water reports that detail the composition of the water in your area, including mineral content. You can often access this report online or request it from your local water authority.

• At-home test kits. If you prefer to test the water yourself, you can purchase an at-home test kit. These are relatively inexpensive and give you a detailed breakdown of what’s in your water, helping you determine if you need a water filter.

A shower water filter and a water softener both improve water quality, but in different ways. A water softener is a whole-house system that removes minerals like calcium and magnesium. However, it doesn't typically remove chemicals like chlorine, which can also irritate the skin. Water softening systems can be fairly expensive to install, but might be worth it if you live in an area with very hard water.

A shower filter, on the other hand, is more affordable, easier to install, and can remove both minerals and irritating chemicals like chlorine, making it more effective for improving skin health in the shower. Just be sure that you read the package before buying, as not all shower head water filters will remove both minerals and chlorine.

Yes, if you have dry or sensitive skin, or if you live in an area with hard water, getting a water filter can make a noticeable difference in your skin. By removing harsh minerals and chemicals, a filter can help you maintain a hydrated, healthy complexion.

Not sure if you have dry or sensitive skin? Take the quiz to find out your skin type!

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