A recent survey across 1,400+ homes in Bengaluru found that nearly 24% of households receive water with hardness levels above the ideal limit of 200 ppm. This means no matter how much moisturiser you apply, if you live in an area with a high percentage of water hardness, your skin will feel dry and itchy.
Furthermore, mineral-rich water can disrupt the skin’s natural balance which leads to dryness, irritation, premature aging, and harmful skin conditions like eczema and acne.
But don't worry, in this article, we'll see how you can use a simple hard water skincare routine to counteract the effects of mineral buildup so you can maintain soft and healthy skin.
What Is Hard Water?
Hard water has a high mineral content, particularly calcium and magnesium. On the surface, hardwater minerals may seem harmless, but if they build up on your skin and hair, they can disrupt the health and natural glow of your skin in ways you might not expect.
1. Dries Out Skin: Removes natural oils, making skin weak and irritated.
2. Makes Skin Flaky: Minerals in the water stop moisture, leaving skin tight and rough.
3. Causes Pimples: Soap residue clogs pores in the skin, leading to breakouts and redness.
4. Faster Skin Aging: Hard water damages skin cells which causes wrinkles.
5. Wastes Skincare Product: Mineral buildup blocks creams and serums from working well.
Now, knowing the consequences of hard water is the first step. Let’s see how to identify hard water in your home and adjust your hard water skincare routine accordingly.
Two Easy Ways to Test For Hard Water
If you suspect hard water is affecting your skin, here are two easy ways to test for hard water at home.
1. Skin & Hair Problems: Hard water can dry out your skin and make it itchy and tight. It can also clog pores leading to breakouts (even after proper exfoliation).
2. Household Indicators: Check for white chalky buildup on faucets or a filmy soap residue on sinks.
If you notice these signs, it’s time to consider how hard water may be affecting your skin and adjust your hard water skin care routine to maintain your skin's glow and health.
How To Protect Your Skin from Hard Water Damage?
Protecting your skin from hard water is not complicated. Simple changes to your routine can help minimise its effects.
1. Install a Shower Filter
One of the best ways to protect your skin from hard water damage is by using a hard water shower filter. Reason being that these filters remove excess minerals from the water and prevent them from depositing on your skin. The most effective types of filters include activated carbon, KDF, and vitamin C filters because they help to neutralize harsh minerals.
2. Use pH-Balanced Skincare:
Hard water increases your skin’s pH, which makes your skin dry and irritated. To fix it, use gentle cleansers and moisturisers with hydrating stuff like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin. Also, try serums with vitamin C, niacinamide, or green tea - they fight mineral buildup and keep your skin healthy.
3. Limit Hot Showers:
Hot water can intensify the effects of hard water on the skin by stripping the natural oils even faster. So to minimise damage, it’s best recommended to use lukewarm water, instead of hot water on your skin
4. Micellar Water or Filtered Water:
A final rinse with micellar water or filtered water can also help remove residual minerals and ward buildup off your skin. Why? Because micellar water acts as a magnet for dirt and minerals. As an alternative, you can also use a tap filter for hard water in your bathroom sink to make the water soft before you rinse your face.
Now, making these simple adjustments will protect your skin from hard water. However, if you want long-lasting results - it is important to adopt long-term skin care habits.
Long-Term Techniques for Maintaining Your Skin Glow
Caring for your skin goes beyond daily routines - long-term habits help maintain its glow (regardless of the water quality).
1. Exfoliation: Use gentle exfoliants like PHA or lactic acid to remove mineral buildup from your skin. However, don’t over-exfoliate because it may weaken your skin barrier.
2. Skincare Routine: Pay attention to how your skin feels when you travel because water in different places can react differently to your skin.
3. Hydration: Drink plenty of water and eat foods rich in antioxidants like berries, nuts, and leafy greens (so you can nourish and protect your skin).
If you make these simple changes, you can keep your skin healthy and glowing in the long run.
Conclusion
Hard water can wreck your skin and make it dry, causing pimples, and even making you look older. But now that you have a hard water skin care routine, you can keep your skin healthy and glowing. Plus, installing a shower filter from RiverSoft will help you reduce mineral buildup which allows your skincare products to work more effectively and keep your skin soft and hydrated. Pair that with pH-balanced products and you’ll be on your way to smoother, more radiant skin - no matter the water quality.
Reference: The Economic Times
