Different water sources have different levels of minerals in them, which can affect the water you use to shower or bathe in.

If you have noticed your skin becoming more irritated or flaky, or have spotted residue on the showerhead and taps, it might be that your skin is reacting to hard water, which is water with high amounts of calcium, magnesium and other minerals.

If you have hard water and it is causing an issue to you, a block salt softener can be used to help.

 

How Can You TellYou Have Hard Water?

Hard water leads to a build-up of soap residue. An easy way to test is to fill a bottle with water, add some drops of handwash or other liquid soap. Close and shake the bottle and if you have very few bubbles, you have hard water.

 

What Effects Can Hard Water Have On The Skin?

How much hard water affects the skin depends on how many minerals are in the water, as well as how much you are exposed to it.

In the short term, a telltale sign that hard water is affecting your skin is if your skin is regularly dry, itchy and flakey, especially on your scalp.

In the long term, studies have shown that hard water has been linked to aggravations of skin conditions such as eczema, and an increase in wrinkles, sagging skin and fine lines, due to the breakdown of collagen.

If you are regularly noticing the effects of hard water, using soap-free cleansers and regularly moisturising can help reduce its effects.