Effects of Hard Water on Skin

Last Updated on August 12, 2021

Are you frustrated with skin issues and looking for solutions? The problem could be your water quality. While it can be treated at the municipal level for microbes and harmful bacteria, there are other contaminants that may be lurking in your water. These can cause all sorts of problems, including dry skin. Some of the most common contaminants are hardness minerals.

What is Hard Water?

Hard water is water containing a significant amount of dissolved minerals, mostly calcium and magnesium. Hardness is measured in grains per gallon (gpg). Most of the United States has at least some degree of water hardness (greater than 1 gpg). Some areas have extremely hard water, which is anything over 10 gpg. The harder your water is, the more negative effects it will have on your body and your home.

What are the Effects of Hard Water on Skin?

When combined with soap, the minerals in hard water cause it to form a curd instead of a lather. You’ve probably seen this in the form of soap scum lining your bathtubs and sinks. It’s difficult to rinse off and difficult to remove. After bathing in hard water, a layer of this soap curd is left behind on your skin. It dries out your skin and blocks moisture from reaching the deeper layers, so lotion doesn’t work very well.

Many studies have been done evaluating the connection between eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, and hard water. Since hard water can cause dry skin in people without eczema, imagine what it does to those with the condition. One study evaluated infants’ exposure to differing levels of hardness. It concluded that higher levels of hardness increase an infant’s chance of developing eczema.

Other skin conditions can be aggravated by hard water or other contaminants. For example, psoriasis is more prevalent in areas with hard water. Acne, especially the cystic kind, can be made worse because of chlorine. These common contaminants are a detriment not only to your skin, but also to your hair and your home.

What Can I Do?

Lotion can only work so well when it doesn’t reach the deeper layers of your skin. We know hard water is the problem, so how do you solve it? A whole-house water softener uses a special ion exchange resin to remove the hardness minerals by replacing them with less harmful ones, such as sodium or potassium. Find out how a water softener works.

There are other benefits, too, such as protecting your plumbing and appliances. Remember that soap scum on your sinks and bathtubs? You wouldn’t have to deal with that if you had a water softener. Puronics offers water softener filter combo systems, which not only soften your water, but also filter out other harmful contaminants like chlorine and chloramines.

If you want to find out more about how hard water may be impacting your life or how water treatment can help, explore our website and blog. You can also request a free water treatment consultation for your home, and you’ll receive a custom quote during your consultation.