Hard Water on Your Skin: Does It Trigger Acne?

Blemishes are one of the world’s greatest mysteries. No matter how much time you invest in washing your face or spend money on cleansers and toners, the problem is the same: you still have plenty of them.

When acne occurs, the blame falls to different suspects: dirt, oil, genetics, or that cheap cleanser you bought the other day.

But have you thought about another culprit? The actual suspect behind your acne problems might be something you never thought of before: water (particularly the hard type).

Here’s why you’ll need to buy a water softener in Provo for your skin:

Is Hard Water Hard on the Skin?

Eighty-five percent of Americans use hard water in their homes. This water might seem harmless, but the high mineral content creates soap scum that clogs your pores, which results in breakouts. The minerals in hard water prevent proper reaction of soap; instead of lather, you have to deal with soapy layers on your skin. Apart from clogged pores, you also experience flaky, itchy, and dry skin.

The impurities in the water can also worsen skin conditions such as eczema. Dermveda, an online library on skin concerns, points to high calcium ion concentrations as the culprit behind the angry red patches. The level of minerals in hard water is a factor in worsening eczema conditions.

What Heavy Metals Do to the Skin

The minerals in hard water trigger a chemical reaction with the skin’s natural oils. Impurities change the consistency of oil from liquid to wax, which clogs your pores. Hard water also has the same response to creams.

Minerals in tap water also act as free radicals that bond to the skin and destroy the cells. This breaks down the collagen, resulting in the formation of wrinkles and fine lines.

What You Can Do

The best way to sort out your water is by getting a filter or a water softener. These systems weed out the bad particles in your tap water, which leaves it purified and better for the skin. Washing with distilled water instantly lathers the soap, dismantling the scum on your skin.

Water should be your skin’s best friend, not its worst enemy. Enforce the love affair between these two by switching to the soft option.