Beauty products not working? Why hard water could be the culprit

If you have hard water in your area, you probably already know about it. From limescale-filled kettles to dried-out skin, brittle hair, and soap that just won’t lather, hard water has a host of undesirable side-effects. But is there anything you can do about it?

First, an explainer. Hard water is water that contains high levels of minerals—particularly calcium and magnesium—which are picked up as it flows through porous rocks such as limestone or chalk. This is why the southeast of England is significantly worse-affected than the north, since the latter benefits from more non-porous materials in the ground. Unfortunately, for those in the hard-water zones, achieving baby-soft skin and smooth, shiny hair is, quite literally, a lot harder.

How does hard water impact your skin and hair?

“The minerals in hard water can leave residue on the skin, disrupting its natural pH balance and weakening the skin barrier. This can lead to dryness and irritation, and in some cases, exacerbate conditions like eczema or acne,” says Dr Anjali Mahto, a consultant dermatologist and the founder of Self London. “In contrast, soft water has fewer minerals and allows soaps and cleansers to lather more effectively, reducing residue and leaving the skin feeling cleaner and more hydrated.”

The same goes for hair, which can feel drier, coarser and duller due to mineral build-up, while your scalp might be itchy and flaky. Not to mention the fact you’ll get through a lot more shampoo due to its inability to lather properly in harder water.

It was moving between cities with different water qualities that caused Karlee Ozener to have the ‘aha moment’ that led to her co-founding the brand Hello Klean, which is based on combatting the effects of hard water on hair and skin through both topical products and shower filter systems.

“After moving, I noticed dramatic changes in my hair and skin,” she says “The same products would work perfectly in one place but fail me in another. It became clear that water quality was the hidden variable. We're spending so much on products while overlooking what those products are being mixed with: our water.”

The benefits of a shower filter

Ozener went straight to the source to address the issue in the first instance, creating Hello Klean’s Purifying Shower Head, which has a sleek, minimalist design and attaches easily to most shower hoses, filtering water of chlorine, heavy metals and rust before it reaches skin and hair.

The brand’s soothing body washes and clarifying shampoos came later—we especially love the Full Length Anti-Breakage Hard Water Shampoo—and use mineral-neutralising ingredients such as lactic and citric acid to mitigate hard water’s ill effects, either alone or in combination with the filter. “By combining our shower filtration with targeted treatments, your existing products can work as intended,” Ozener adds.

The best beauty products to combat the effects of hard water

Other brands have identified a need for products that combat the lacklustre byproducts of hard water too, in particular for hair. Kérastase's Prèmiere Decalcifying Repairing Shampoo and Conditioner have been created precisely for this purpose, while L’Oréal Professionnel’s Metal Detox range is designed to reduce the breakage and colour fade caused by hard water. The hairstylist and salon founder Edward James swears by the latter line for its softening and brightening effects when masterminding colour transformations at his London locations. “Dealing with very hard water can be challenging but this helps to prevent minerals adhering to hair during the washing process in the first place, plus the oil enhances shine and manageability,” he says.

Meanwhile, if your skin is showing signs of hard-water damage such as dryness, tightness, redness and breakouts, Dr Mahto suggests sticking to gentle and hydrating products.

“Avoid cleansers with strong exfoliating agents or high alcohol content, as these can exacerbate dryness and irritation. Also, steer clear of harsh soaps, as they can leave behind residue that clogs pores and irritates sensitive skin,” she recommends. “Instead, start by using a gentle, pH-balanced cleanser to avoid stripping your skin’s natural oils. Follow with a moisturiser rich in ceramides, glycerin or hyaluronic acid to help restore hydration and strengthen your skin barrier.”

Allies of Skin’s Molecular Silk Amino Hydrating Cleanser swerves soap in favour of gentler modern surfactants, as well as silk amino acids to replenish and protect sensitised skin. Follow up with Ilia Beauty’s Barrier Build Skin Protectant Cream, which is packed with ceramides and colloidal oatmeal to nourish and fortify.

And if you live in a soft water area? Lie back and enjoy the lather.

 

All images: Pexels

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