Derms Say These Shower Water Filters Can Actually Improve Your Hair And Skin

Oct 28, 2024

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Just like the ones you use on the kitchen sink, these filters can remove “minerals and chemicals [that] can potentially dry or irritate hair and skin,” said a dermatologist.

HuffPost Senior Staff Writer

Showerhead filters are comparable to filters you use on drinkable tap water and can remove impurities in municipal water sources, such as chlorine and chloramines (which are disinfectants), along with calcium, copper, magnesium, and more. “These minerals and chemicals can potentially dry or irritate hair and skin,” Camp said.

Dr. Brandon Kirsch, a board-certified dermatologist at Kirsch Dermatology in Naples, Florida, further explained that water with high concentrations of calcium and magnesium is known as “hard water.” He told us that “while they’re generally safe for consumption at the levels found in tap water, they can have cosmetic and dermatological effects, such as drying out hair and skin or exacerbating conditions like eczema.”

Both experts agreed that a shower filter can improve the quality and texture of both skin and hair and could potentially also boost the potency of your hair products. “Without a residue of these compounds,” Camp stated, “products may be able to penetrate hair and skin more effectively.”

If you’re not sure whether you really need a shower water filter, you can look for signs that your regular showerhead water is causing problems. “If your skin feels excessively dry and itchy after showering, it might be due to the chlorine or hard water minerals,” Kirsch said. “Chlorine and hard water minerals can also strip away natural oils from your hair, leaving it looking dull, and chlorine in particular can cause colored hair to fade faster.”

You can also be on the lookout for warning signs in your shower’s surroundings. Camp noted that scaling, which refers to the buildup of minerals on showerheads or bathroom tiles, might be an indication of a high mineral content in your shower water. He also said that before you purchase a showerhead filter, “consider doing an online search to determine if the water sources in your area are considered to contain higher mineral content or hard water.”

There's a good chance you've seen ads on social media for this cult-fave showerhead filter recommended by Dr. Brendan Camp, a board-certified dermatologist. This high-pressure showerhead is available in four colors to match your existing bathroom hardware and can be easily installed to fit all U.S. showerheads. You can adjust the angle seamlessly.

Promising reviews: "I rarely leave reviews but have to review this. This didn’t immediately show results for me but it started to show results after week 2.5. I have long healthy Asian hair and was skeptical I could really benefit that much more from anything except for maybe a keratin treatment. And wow was I wrong. I had no idea my already-nice hair could use this type of a boost. It made my shiny black hair SHINIER AND BOUNCIER…by a lot! It looks as if I ran shimmering shine spray from my roots down to the very ends of my hair, top to bottom. I couldn’t believe it. At first I thought I was imagining it, it seemed too good to be true. And oh, the bounce. I didn’t realize my hair needed bounce but now I don’t think I can live without it. As for my skin, it’s only been 2.5 weeks but I noticed that the pores on my nose are smaller." —Jade

"Saved my hair! I was using a different brand of water filter and showerhead and after 2 years of living in Florida with it my hair was frizzy and breaking at the nape of my neck. I just installed this new version last night and took my first shower with it. It was my last ditch effort before chopping all my hair off again. My hair turned out amazing! It didn’t feel gummy or frizzy and when I blow dried it, it fell straight like it should! I have a hard time growing my hair to begin with and this filter will definitely help save what I have! I thought the price point was expensive but investing in yourself is worth it! Also a few hours later my skin still feels soft and moisturized. I put on some shower oil when I got out and my skin soaked it all in instead of just laying on the surface." —Mari Beeghly

Get it from Amazon for $165.

Also a Camp recommendation, this filter is extremely popular and highly rated among Amazon users. It can help to remove odors and impurities associated with hard water, chlorine and other minerals found in tap water. It's compatible with myriad shower styles and doesn't reduce or affect existing water pressure. It's a great option for people with sensitive skin.

Promising reviews: "Absolutely amazing for hair and skin. As a professional hairstylist and blonde haired I’ve noticed how hard water can really affect the hair/skin overall. This was SO easy to install and has made the biggest difference in my hair! I recommend to all of my clients" —katie spicer

"Wonderful product. This filter was so easy to install. I cannot believe the difference in my skin in just a month. If you live in the city and have hard water this is a must!" —Jeff

Get it from Amazon for $79.99.

Dermatologist Dr. Brandon Kirsch told us that this filter is NSF-certified to remove chlorine, lead and other pollutants. It also has a 10,000-gallon capacity, which means you won't have to change the filter until it has filtered 10,000 gallons of water. "I have used Aquasana in my own house and been very pleased!" he said. It's easy to install and is compatible with 1/2-inch shower arms.

Promising reviews: "My partner and myself both have psoriasis. We use the shampoos hair oils etc. The whole 9 yards. Never really seemed to help. Took into consideration that perhaps it was our water. Heavy in calcium, lime, all those harsh fun chemicals. After having used it for 3 days, our psoriasis doesn't hurt like it did. My skin is even feeling better and no where near as dry as it otherwise would be when I exit the shower. Definitely a much better improvement to our daily routine. I can say with confidence, I am definitely going to want to get a few more for the other spouts in our home." —Shina

"Clean and soft water. I made this purchase due to my wife always complains about how our city water makes her body itch after showering 🚿 so I decided to give this showerhead filter a try and it worked wonders. My wife no longer has those itch moments from the harsh city water coming from our water plant." —demetrius smith

Get it from Amazon for $30+ (available in two sizes and eight colors).

If you prefer a handheld showerhead, Camp recommended this Culligan option. It is unique in that is has a magnetic docking mechanism that can be securely popped on and off its base. It has a brushed-chrome stainless steel finish that is aesthetically pleasing and will look lovely with the rest of your shower fixtures.

Promising reviews: "Love it! Nice quality. Not cheap looking. Easy to assemble. I am so happy to have this. So many great features! I definitely recommend you buy this product!!!" —Janet

"Love this showerhead, I love the filters they really help soften my hair and skin. The different settings are great and the magnet is strong and allows for easy positioning." —Keianna Wilbur

Get it from Amazon for $114.48.

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.