How Hard Water is Affecting Your Hair and Skin (And What You Can Do About It)
What is Hard Water and How Does It Affect Your Hair and Skin?
If you’ve ever noticed that your skin feels tight after a shower or your hair seems dull and lifeless no matter HOW much conditioner you use, you might be dealing with hard water... But what exactly is hard water? And how does it impact your hair and skin? Let’s dive in!
What is Hard Water?
Hard water is water that contains high levels of dissolved minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium. These minerals are picked up as water travels through the ground and into reservoirs. While hard water is not harmful to drink, it can be problematic for everyday tasks like cleaning, bathing, and washing your hair.
Hardness levels vary depending on your location, with some regions experiencing higher mineral content in their water than others. If you notice excessive limescale buildup on your taps or cloudy spots on your glassware, there’s a good chance your water contains these hard water minerals.
How Does Hard Water Affect Your Hair?
1. Dullness and Build-Up The minerals in hard water can leave a residue on your hair, which builds up over time. This build-up can make your hair look dull, greasy, or weighed down, even right after washing.
2. Dryness and Brittleness Hard water strips your hair of its natural oils, leaving it dry and prone to breakage. It’s especially harsh on colour-treated hair, as it can accelerate fading and make it harder for the dye to adhere properly.
3. Lack of Manageability Hair exposed to hard water can feel coarse and tangled, making it difficult to style or comb through. Curls may lose their bounce, and straight hair may appear limp.
4. Increased Scalp Irritation Mineral deposits from hard water can clog your scalp’s pores, potentially leading to dryness, itchiness, and dandruff.
How Does Hard Water Affect Your Skin?
1. Dryness and Irritation The minerals in hard water can leave a film on your skin, making it harder for your moisturiser to penetrate and hydrate effectively. This can lead to dryness, flakiness, and irritation—especially if you already have sensitive or eczema-prone skin.
2. Breakouts The residue left by hard water can clog pores, contributing to acne or blackheads.
3. Accelerated Ageing Over time, hard water can weaken the skin’s protective barrier, making it more susceptible to environmental damage. This can contribute to premature wrinkles and a lacklustre complexion.
How Can You Protect Your Hair and Skin from Hard Water?
1. Install a Water Filter A whole-house or shower-specific water filter can significantly reduce the mineral content in your water, providing instant relief for your hair and skin.
2. Use TRISWIM Shampoo A clarifying shampoo such as TRISWIM Shampoo can help remove mineral build-up from your hair. Designed to neutralise the effects of chlorine and hard water, TRISWIM helps you to maintain soft, healthy hair.
3. Moisturise Religiously After every shower, apply a hydrating moisturiser such as TRISWIM Lotion to lock in moisture and counteract the drying effects of hard water.
4. Incorporate a Gentle Body Wash Use a gentle, hard-mineral removing cleanser such as TRISWIM Body Wash to avoid further stripping your skin’s natural oils. Enriched with organic aloe vera, vitamin B5, watercress and chamomile, TRISWIM helps to relieve symptoms of hard mineral exposure.
5. Rinse with Filtered or Distilled Water For an extra layer of protection, try rinsing your hair or face with filtered or distilled water after washing.
Final Thoughts
While hard water isn’t a health hazard, its effects on your hair and skin can be frustrating. By understanding the impact of hard water and taking steps to mitigate its effects, you can keep your hair and skin looking and feeling their best. Whether through water filters, specialised products, or extra care in your routine, there are ways to outsmart hard water—so you can focus on feeling confident and refreshed every day!