Is tap water irritating your skin? Here are other options for washing
If you are struggling with dry, itchy or irritated skin and cannot figure out what is causing it, your tap water may be to blame. Many people are unaware of the impact that water quality — especially hard water or chlorine-rich water — can have on the skin.
Here in Miami, chlorine is added to the water to kill yeast and bacteria, but the downside is that it can also harm the skin’s microbiome.
How water affects your skin
Tap water across the country contains various chemicals and minerals that can be problematic for your skin. In Miami, chlorine is one of the key issues, but minerals like calcium and magnesium can also pose a problem if you live in places with “hard water” like New York.
I have seen chlorinated Miami water make acne worse in several patients. In fact, chlorine is known to cause a specific type of acne called chloracne, which shows up on the skin as small, acne-like pimples or cysts. Chlorine can also cause dry skin and make conditions like eczema or rosacea worse.
While minerals in tap water are a bigger problem for places with hard water, smaller amounts of calcium and magnesium are also present in Miami’s water. These minerals react with the fatty acids in soaps, forming metallic soap residues that remain on your skin. These residues are difficult to wash off and can cause irritation that worsen conditions like eczema and acne.
Additionally, calcium and magnesium can decrease the foaming of surfactants — the cleansing ingredients in your face wash. (Have you ever noticed that your cleansers and shampoos foam less in NYC? This is why!). This causes you to use more product than needed and exposes your skin to higher levels of detergents, which can strip the skin of moisture.
How to help your skin
If you suspect that your water might be contributing to your skin issues, here are some solutions that can help to protect your skin:
▪ Get a water filter. Some filters are designed to replace your regular shower head and can remove minerals from the water. The Jolie Filtered Showerhead is a water filter that my patients seem to like.
▪ Use a cleansing micellar water Cleansing waters contain micelles – tiny particles that attract and remove dirt, oil, and makeup – to gently cleanse your skin. You can use these products instead of tap water when washing your face.
▪ Rinse with a thermal spa water. Vichy,Avene, and La Roche Posay sell thermal spa waters that have soothing minerals like selenium. If you have hypersensitive skin or out of control rosacea, switching from tap water to one of these can help.
▪ Use filtered water to wash your face. If you already have a water filter that you use for drinking water, you can use that same water to wash your face. Studies show it is much less irritating to your skin.
▪ Wash with lukewarm water. Hot water strips your skin of natural oils and can lead to dryness and irritation.
Bottom line
Water quality can significantly impact the health and beauty of your skin. In places like Miami, where chlorine levels are high, and other areas where hard water is common, your skin might be suffering more than you realize. To protect your skin, consider using a water filter, cleansing with a micellar water and avoiding hot water.
For more skincare news and advice, follow @SkinTypeSolutions on social media, or browse the Skin Type Solutions library. If you have a question for Dr. Baumann, talk to her on Reddit at r/skintypesolutions.
