Hard water has a high level of dissolved minerals such as calcium and magnesium. A high quantity of these minerals is not suitable for humans in various ways. One of the most prominent and inevitable impacts of hard water is on your skin.
Effects of Hard Water on Your Skin
Hard water can impact your skin in the following ways:
Dryness: Dryness is the most common and problematic effect of hard water. Hard water makes it difficult to wash away soap entirely from your skin. Unwashed soap causes the pores to get blocked, and it results in dryness, itchiness, and irritation. The most common way to judge the presence of soap after having a shower, washing your face or hands is the friction on your skin. Run your finger over your body, if you feel dryness and friction, you are most probably facing the problem of hard water. Dryness can also be caused by wearing clothes washed in hard water.
Acne: Another problem associated with hard water and skin is acne. Dryness results in acne; the dry skin is deprived of natural oils and serums in your skin. This results in the development of acne or rashes on your skin. When you itch or scratch it due to pain or irritation, the situation is further worsened.
Sunburn: Sunburns are not a direct impact of hard water. Hard water makes sunburn worse. Minerals like calcium and magnesium make your skin more susceptible to sunburn by breaking down collagen and elastin in your skin.
Following activities can affect your skin if they are carried out with hard water
- Showering
- Washing face and hands
- General cleaning using water
- Working in the kitchen
- Washing eatables
- Gardening
- Washing your cars or bikes
Hair Problems
Hard water can also cause problems to your hair like dryness, shine problems, hair fall, and dandruff.
Solutions
Solutions to skin problems due to sunburn can be divided into two categories, short-term and long-term solutions
Temporary Solutions
Moisturizers: The best way to get rid of dryness in your skin is to use a moisturizing lotion or cream. It will reduce the dryness instantly and save your skin from getting acne or having sunburns. Remember to use it thoroughly on the area washed with hard water.
Chelating Shampoo: A chelating shampoo has ingredients that help in dealing with minerals in water that cause hardness. Look for a shampoo that has Ethylene Diamine Tetra Acetate (EDTA) as an ingredient. You can find it online or look for it in a beauty store.
Reduce Soap Usage: Reducing the amount of soap can also help you avoid the dryness in your skin. Bathing shampoo or liquids is also an excellent alternative to soaps for preventing dryness.
Aluminum Sulfate Addition: Adding aluminum sulfate in water can help reduce the effects of hard water on your skin. This trick is only useful for washing your face or having a sponge bath.
You can add one tablespoon in a bucket full of water and wait for it to dissolve. Once the contents settle down, remove the water from the top with the help of a cup or container.
Shower at a Different Place: Another short-term solution is to take a shower at another place. You can shower at your gym, swimming pool, or at a friend’s place if possible for a while.
Permanent Solutions
Water Softener: The best and most economical solution is the use of water softeners. Water softeners are systems that use softening salts to reduce the hardness in your water.
Water softeners remove excessive salts from hard water and make it soft. They come in different shapes, sizes, and working capacities.
To select the best water softener, you must be aware of the intensity of hardness in your water.
Conclusion
Hard water problems may get you worried at first, but it is not impossible to deal with it and save your skin and hair. You can apply short term solutions as a timely fix, but we suggest that you get a good quality water softener to deal with hard water.
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