The water you use can have significant effects on your skin. More often than not it comes down to whether you have hard or soft water in your home. The type of water is probably the last thing most of us think about when taking a bath or washing our faces. Did you know there are certain benefits of water softener on skin? If you are using hard water and your skin is sensitive, we will discuss some reasons why you may want to switch.
There are plenty of reasons why soft water is beneficial to your skin, compared to the adverse effects of hard water. As more people get to understand the differences between hard and soft water, they’re discovering the benefits of water softener on skin. Let’s have a look at the effects of hard and soft water on your skin.
What is Hard Water and Soft Water?
Hard water is comprised of minerals such as magnesium and calcium. Over time, these minerals can leave a buildup of residue on your skin, coating it with an insoluble film and making it hard for soap and water to form an effective solution. The same residues found in hard water responsible for clogging pipes and damaging fixtures and appliances can clog your skin pores and leave a layer of impurities on your skin.
Moreover, the soap scum clog can also make your skin feel itchy, dry and irritated, worsening skin conditions such as eczema and acne. Soft water, on the other hand, is achieved by using a water softener.
Benefits of Water Softener on Skin
Soap reacts with the minerals in hard water to form a curd-like residue that clogs skin pores and makes it hard to moisturize. Once your pores are clogged, your skin dries up, making it susceptible to cracking and flaking. Using hard water may also result in dry hands, rashes or dandruff.
Using soft water helps to keep your pores open so your skin can breathe. This helps to prevent dry skin and symptoms of skin problems such as acne. Soft water also makes it easier to lather and rinse the soap away. The soft water will remove mineral ions and wash all the soap off your skin, leaving your skin feeling smooth and clean. This also means you’re likely to use much less body and face wash to get a deeper clean.
There’s a widespread misconception that hard water gives a better clean as it results in a squeaky-clean feeling. Using soft water will leave you with a slippery or slimy feeling, which is actually how your skin is supposed to feel after a bath. The slimy feeling comes from natural oils which play the critical of protecting your skin and keeping it hydrated.
Bottom Line
Some showers even come with built-in water softeners, so you don’t have to worry about the damaging effects of hard water on your skin. Instead, you can focus on the benefits of water softener on skin. Use soft water and enjoy clear, smooth and healthy-looking skin.