Hard water is water that contains high amounts of minerals. These minerals offer great nutritional value to a healthy diet, but they can be very problematic for your hair and skin.

A 2017 study from University of Sheffield and King's College in London showed that "hard water can damage the skin's protective barrier and increase sensitivity to irritants found in soap products."

The study also mentions, "skin pH is normally acidic but hard water has high alkalinity which means it can raise the skin surface pH. A shift towards alkaline pH disturbs the skin’s natural function as a physical barrier and leaves it prone to infection."

“Patients with eczema are much more sensitive to the effects of hard water than people with healthy skin. This increase in sensitivity is associated with a genetic predisposition to a skin barrier defect brought about by mutations in the gene encoding filaggrin. Filaggrin is a structural protein important for the formation of our skin’s barrier to the outside environment. Up to half of all people with eczema carry a filaggrin gene.”

So there's skin which feels itchy and dry during winter months, then there's that red and blistered skin condition: eczema AKA atopic dermatitis. The symptoms are irritating, awkward, and on top of that, extremely itchy.

Creating a healthy showering routine is key to keeping the flares under control. In general, dermatologists suggest avoiding harsh soaps, high-temperature showers as they tend to dry out your skin.