What Hard Water Is Doing To Your Skin

All water contains minerals, but hard water has more minerals than soft water.

This means that it may have more of an effect on your body, as the minerals are looking for somewhere to go, reacting with your skin and hair a lot more than soft water minerals would. 

Minerals like magnesium and calcium become dissolved in fresh water as it trickles through deposits of limestone or chalk. A higher volume of minerals within the water makes it harder. 

So, how does hard water affect your skin and body? Let’s find out more about this. 

How Does Water Become Hard? 

Water becoming hard is a lengthy process. Hard water has a high mineral content consisting primarily of calcium and magnesium.

If water is sourced from a place with a large amount of chalk, limestone, or gypsum, it may be harder as more bicarbonates, sulfates, calcium, and magnesium will be present within the water. 

Is Hard Water Bad For You? 

Drinking hard water may have more benefits than negatives! Hard water has been said to help prevent gastrointestinal, colon, rectal, and pancreatic issues, and even cancer.

This is due to the health benefits present in both calcium and magnesium. 

Some also believe that it can be a preventative measure for esophageal and ovarian cancer, and a lot of other health issues.

So, if your water is hard, it may be better for you to drink! But, as always, if you have any health concerns, please consult with a medical professional.

Is Soft Water Good For You?

Soft water can also be good for you. Soft water has no impurities from calcium or magnesium, which may be beneficial. Soft water may be better for cleaning your body and hair.

This is because there are no minerals present within the water, so no residue will be left on your hair or body. Drinking soft water has no known health benefits, but no known negative effects, either. 

What Hard Water Is Doing To Your Skin

Hard water may have internal health benefits, but what does it do to your skin? Due to the minerals present in hard water, it actually leaves a build-up of these minerals on your body.

It also leaves a soapy residue on your body because of these minerals. This build-up may clog your pores and block the natural release of oils, causing dryness.

When the pores are blocked with minerals, nothing can escape from them. Additionally, clogged pores may cause skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and acne. 

What Hard Water Is Doing To Your Hair

Hard water may be better for your internal health, but not so great for your skin. How does it affect your hair?

When you wash your hair with hard water, minerals that should be washed away stay in your hair. These are magnesium and calcium. 

They leave a film on the surface of your hair, blocking natural oils from the scalp and causing dryness and fragility. In the short term, this can lead to tangling and matting.  Over the long term, it may even lead to hair loss. 

What Are The Long-Term Effects Of Using Hard Water? 

Premature aging and skin sagging are some of the long-lasting effects that you might experience from continuously using hard water on your skin and hair.

This is because the skin stays continuously dry, forming lines and wrinkles. Other effects of hard water are flaky, dry skin, and acne breakouts. 

How Can I Protect My Skin From Hard Water? 

There are several ways that you can protect yourself and your skin from the physical effects of hard water. This includes:

• Use gentle and soft cleansers that will not strip the skin of natural oils. 
• Invest in a water softener or filter for the shower to soften the water, eliminating any soap residue on your body or hair. 
• Use moisturizers with natural oils and natural fragrance (if any at all).
• Keep your shower times shorter, and keep the temperature average. Extra hot or cold water will harm your skin further. 
• Use a soft, absorbent towel instead of a hard, rough towel. Dry yourself gently. 
• Moisturize your skin with appropriate products meant for the face, body,  hands, or feet. 

Final Thoughts

Hard water may be better to drink because of the positive and healthy minerals present in the water. However, your skin and hair can be negatively impacted by hard water.

To prevent hard water from damaging your skin, follow our tips above. 

Thanks for reading!