How hard water can make your skin worse

SALISBURY, Md. – The cold, winter winds are coming and cold air can affect skin, but research shows shower water can make a difference too.

Local health providers told WMDT that extra elements in water that lead to higher hardness levels can strip skin of its natural oils. Without those oils, skin can break apart easier.

Studies have shown that hard shower water can cause or exacerbate skin irritability. Hard water refers to water that has a high content of minerals and chemicals. Certain chemicals and minerals found in shower water like chlorine, calcium or iron can cause dry, itchy or irritable skin, especially for those with a chronic skin condition like eczema and psoriasis.

Leslie Oliver, a nurse practitioner at Coastal Dermatology in Salisbury, Md said that the drier, colder fall and winter months can exacerbate irritable and dry skin.

“We have the heat on in our house that dries your skin out faster, you’re taking hotter showers because you don’t want to be cold,” Oliver said. “Those in conjunction with the harder chemicals in the water are going to lead to skin breakdown.”

Skin breakdown can cause sudden flare ups in eczema and psoriasis, lead to hair breakage, a loss in collogen build up and other symptoms, according to Oliver.

She said finding the root cause for any skin irritability or certain skin condition flare-ups can be hard to pin down so people should keep an eye on any changes in their routines. She said sometimes her and her colleagues will recommend patients keep a diary to log flare ups or changes to skin and hair conditions to try and find a cause for any skin irritability or skin condition flare-ups.

Oliver also said to pay special attention when traveling to and from home. She said that if people notice their hair and skin feel better when on vacation, then their water’s hardness levels may be the culprit.

She stressed that if someone is experiencing issues with their hair or skin and are unsure why to see a dermatologist.