Could the Water You’re Using be Harming Your Skin?

Is water harming your skin? Keeping your skin hydrated is essential for a healthy appearance, but other factors can also affect its health. One of these factors is the texture of the water you use. The type of water you use can impact your skin’s appearance and health. Traveling to different locations with varying water sources can have a positive impact on your skin. To improve your skin’s overall health and appearance, consider paying attention to the water you use and exploring new destinations.

Beverly Hills, MD, provides some tips on exploring the wonders of water.

There are two types of tap water: hard and soft. Soft water contains very few mineral deposits, which is good news for your skin. On the other hand, hard water contains many minerals, specifically calcium and magnesium. This is where the bad news starts. Dry places like Texas, the Southwest, and Southern California have some of the most challenging water in the country, followed by the Great Lakes region, the Midwest, Tennessee, and parts of the Pacific Northwest. About 85% of the U.S. has at least moderately complex water.

Kendhal’s skin was extra soft and smooth in Rhode Island because New England is one of the few places in the country with soft water. People notice skin irritation, dehydration, flaking, and breakouts in hard water areas. It makes perfect sense because when you wash with hard water, you fly with tiny, microscopic rocks from the ground.

One more piece of bad news about hard water is that when you wash your face, if you get that “squeaky clean” feeling after you’re done, unfortunately, your skin isn’t as clean as you think. It means you have a layer of minerals caked onto your face that will only worsen by washing with the same water over and over.

If you’re experiencing this issue, you can do a few easy tests at home to determine how hard your water is. For example, check how much your products lather; the less it lathers, the harder your water is. Also, check for a crusty ring around your bathtub, which is the “residue” stiff water leaves behind – the same stuff that’s sitting on your skin. Leave a glass filled with about a tablespoon of water until it evaporates. If a grainy white film is left behind, it’s a clear sign of hard water.

If you do have hard water, like most people, there are a few things you can do to stop its damaging effects on your skin. You can use bottled water, which is softer and purer than tap water, to wash your face. If this seems too expensive, you can use filtered water instead. You can use a faucet filter or a filtered pitcher to remove some minerals and get a more purified wash than hard tap water. If you have dry skin, you can perform a wash without water. Instead of rinsing the cleanser off, wipe it away with a soft cloth or tissue. Use this technique three times a week, and wash normally with water all other times for best results.

There’s a fourth option: purchasing a water softener. However, this can be costly, so it’s best to consider it a last resort. In most cases, using one of the techniques mentioned above is sufficient. These tips will help you combat hard water and regain healthy, glowing skin.