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If Hard Water Is Affecting Your Hair and Skin, These Shower Filters Are a Must

Forget serums and styling products—the foundation for both your haircare and skincare routines starts in the shower. And we’re not just talking about the products you’re using, but the actual water itself. You’ve probably heard the term ‘hard water,’ but what is it exactly?

Hard water is simply water that has high mineral content, usually minerals such as limestone or chalk. (How can you tell if you have it? You may notice that your hair and skin feel super dry, and/or that you can’t get as much of a lather from your soap and shampoo.) Those minerals can quickly take a toll on your tresses; Not only is hard water is drying to the hair, but it can also discolor it, says Rex Jimieson, color educator and colorist at Maxine Salon in Chicago.

“Blonde or light-colored hair is particularly susceptible because it’s more porous and will absorb more of the minerals quite visibly,” he adds. They can also wreak similar havoc on your skin, leaving it dry and flaky, no matter how moisturizing your body wash is. Enter the beauty of a showerhead filter. Generally pretty quick and easy to install, they can drastically reduce not only the number of minerals that come in contact with your hair and skin but chlorine, too. 

So if you want softer skin and smoother, shinier hair, install any of these top shower filters for hard water.

Best Overall: Sprite HE-7 CM Hand Held Pure 7 Setting Shower Filter

Jimieson says this brand’s filter systems are his first choice, thanks to the affordable price, streamlined design, and efficacy. This one also pulls in great reviews, with shoppers noting how well it eliminates the unwanted effects of hard water. It comes with a 72-inch hose and anti-scaling spray tips that prevent build-up on the actual showerhead. Bonus points for seven different spray settings, ranging from an intense massage to rain-like mist.