Is Your Daily Water Damaging Your Skin? Impact of Water Quality on Skin

You have done it all. You invested in great skincare, you follow a routine that is hyper-personalized to your needs. But, have you ever considered the impact of water quality on skin, a factor that is often overlooked, which has the potential to undermine your routine? 

Your Skin Versus Hard Water: What is the Impact?

Hard Water is high in minerals such as calcium and magnesium, while safe to drink, they can also interact with the surfactants in your cleansers, basically creating a residue that does not properly rinse. This residue can result in: 

• Clogging Pores: Which leads to acne and breakouts. 

• Stripping your skin of its natural oils: Which causes dryness, tightness and even flakiness in some cases. 

• Disrupting Your Skin Barriers: Weakens your skin’s defences which can worsen conditions like eczema. 

Other Overlooked Water Contaminants on Your Skin

• Chlorine: It is used to disinfect water, but it can also be a harsh oxidant that can strip the skin off of its natural oils that will lead to irritation . 

• Heavy Metals and Pollutants: Trace amounts of metal/chemicals present in the water will also lead to irritation as well as inflammation for some individuals. 

5 Solutions to Tackle Hard Water Effects

• Installing Shower Filters: The most upfront solution. Shower Filters can remove excess chlorine as well as reduce the mineral count, which will provide immediate relief for your skin. 
• Using Low-pH Cleanser: Switching to a gentle, cream-based cleanser that is less inclined to react with the minerals in the water and helps maintain the acidic mantle of your skin is a sound alternative, if you don’t use a shower at all. 
• Chelating Agent: Scout for products that contain EDTA, or Phytic Acid,  which bind to minerals and rinse them away.
• Hydrating Toner: Use an alcohol free, hydrating toner that removes residuals and rebalances your skin’s pH levels.
• Moisturize Strategically: Reinforcing your skin barrier with moisturizers that have ceramides and fatty acids can help combat drying effects. 
  

If you are dealing with constant skin issues that are not receptive to your product changes, then your water might be the culprit. Having something as simple as a shower filter and adapting your routine based, can make a significant difference.