How Hard Water Affects Your Skin

If you’re living in a hard water area, you will be noticing limescale build up. You'll also probably be noticing tastes and odours to your drinking water, because of the chlorine that is used to treat the water supply. 

 

These are two less-than-pleasant, and expensive, aspects of living in a hard water area. From paying for cleaning products, to the wear-and-tear on appliances (including something as small as a kettle and as large as a boiler or a washing machine), your water bill isn’t the only thing you’re paying for because of your water supply. With hard water compromising the efficiency of your appliances, your energy costs will be higher from living in a hard water area. You may well also be paying for replacement filters for your filter jug, or cases of bottled water from the supermarket, due to the taste of the water. 

 

But this won’t be the only impacts your water will be having your day-to-day life; hard water and chlorine also affect the wellbeing of your skin and hair. 

The skin is made up of three main layers, the Epidermis at the top, the Dermis, in the middle and the Hypodermis at the bottom. They all have various functions. For example, the Hypodermis connects skin to muscles and bones, regulates temperature and even acts as a cushion to protect against impact and trauma. In the middle, the Dermis, among other things, grows hair, produces sweat and give the skin its structure. And it’s the outer layer, the Epidermis, that we’re focussing on here. It’s a protective layer (and it is divided into multiple layers itself), protecting form things such as UV radiation, viruses, bacteria and fungi. The very top layer of the Epidermis the ‘Skin Barrier’, is affected by hard water and chlorine. 

 

It’s essentially a brick-and-mortar type of arrangement; dead, dried-out skin cells make the bricks and they are cemented together by lipids (alongside other nutrients). Damage to this barrier, compromises its effectiveness in protecting skin. 

Hard water can leave skin feeling dry and itchy, due to it stripping the natural oils that are present. The minerals in hard water (such as calcium and magnesium) also react with fatty acids in soap, and this forms chemicals that cause the soap residue we associate with hard water – this can clog pores, affecting the skin’s ability to release natural oils. Chlorine also affects the skin by stripping natural oils. This is something that is usually associated with swimming in swimming pools, where chlorine is used disinfect the water – but it also affects the skin through showering and bathing. The heat of the water actually opens your pores, meaning chorine can seep into your skin more easily. 

 

When the skin barrier is compromised and isn’t able to do its job properly, of regulating PH, retaining hydration and keeping out chemicals and bacteria, irritation, dryness and cracking can result. It’s no wonder that skin care is a $100 billion industry!  

This is an especially big issue when it comes to conditions such as eczema, which already cause issues for the skin barrier and are in turn aggravated by hard water and chlorine. 

 

You use your water every day, and if you’re experiencing dry skin, damaged hair, or conditions such as eczema, your water will be having an impact on these things. Improving something as fundamentally important as your home water supply is going to protect your skin and alleviate the issues caused by hard water and chlorine. 

In providing excellent, long lasting and efficient water softening equipment, we don’t just protect your home – we protect your skin, hair and health. 

 

Our range of systems and products caters to your domestic water treatment needs; whether your family is small or large, we have the right softener for you. Also, we don’t have to stop at softening! By treating for chemicals such as chlorine from your home water supply, as well as treating your drinking water to wonderful levels, providing great tasting, healthy, drinking water, just as it should be. 

 

If you live in a hard water area and want to improve your water, protecting your home and promoting good health for your family, don’t hesitate to get in touch and book your free survey today.