HARD WATER 101: HOW WATER AFFECTS YOUR SKIN AND HAIR
If you're dealing with dry skin, split ends, unexplained hair loss, tried all sorts of products and treatments and yet nothing seems to improve, you might consider looking for the culprit elsewhere: your shower water.
You've probably noticed that tap water in some cities tastes different compared to others, and heard of the terms "hard" and "soft" water. Hard water is water with high concentrations of minerals. Although drinking hard water is beneficial for your health, showering with it can mean drama for your hair and skin.
How do you tell if your water is hard? For a start, your shampoo won't lather well, as the mineral content make surfactants (foaming agents) less effective. The minerals leave behind a film called soap scum, which strips moisture from your hair, causing split ends and even hair loss. On top of that, hard water also messes with your hair color, as mineral deposits like copper and iron can oxidize your highlights and cause discoloration.
A 2017 study from the University of Sheffield and King's College in London showed that "hard water can damage the skin's protective barrier, which increases sensitivity to irritants, such as those found in soap products."
Dr. Simon Danby from the study explains, "By damaging the skin barrier, showering with hard water may contribute to the development of eczema – a chronic skin condition characterized by an intensely itchy red rash. Patients with eczema are much more sensitive to the effects of hard water than people with healthy skin."
Hard water affects those of us with oily skin too. When oily skin becomes dry, it sends a message to our sebaceous glands to produce EVEN MORE oil to compensate for the lack of moisture. The mineral components of hard water can also trigger breakouts. During an interview with Self Magazine, Dermatologist Dr. Dennis Gross explains, "Impurities from hard water causes a chemical reaction with your skin's natural oils, and changes the oil from a liquid form to wax. This, in turn, clogs your pores and can lead to acne."
Our Shower Filter allows you to begin your self-care routine with a clean slate. We use a key ingredient called KDF to stimulate a 'redox process' that transform contaminants into elements harmless for your hair and skin. This technology is patented by the National Sanitation Foundation, a member of the World Health Organization. The Redox Process turns chemicals and metal ions such as chlorine, hydrogen sulfide, lead, mercury, iron, and more into harmless substances. Chlorine, for instance, becomes a non-toxic chloride.
View lab reports from our supplier here:
- Removes over 90% of chlorine
- Removes lead, hydrogen sulfide, and other water-soluble metals
We'll help you remove the icky stuff, and you'll get healthier skin and hair minus the drama.
Leave a comment