Hard Water Skin Care: Dealing with Itchy and Dry Skin from Eczema, Dermatitis and Rashes

If you have hard water, you might know by now how it can affect your skin. Hard water prevents soap from fully dissolving, leaving behind a residue that can wreak havoc on your skin. In addition to drying out your skin, the effects of hard water can also exacerbate existing conditions, such as eczema, dermatitis and rashes.

Thankfully, hard water skin care is far from impossible. Even if you have hard water, you can still treat skin conditions like these if you take a few simple steps.

What to do if Hard Water is Causing Your Skin Problems

1. Switch Your Soap

If you think your issues are being caused by hard water, remember: irritation related to hard water is caused by soap residue, not the water itself. With that in mind, if you think hard water is responsible for your irritated skin, try switching your soap to a brand without artificial colors or perfumes. Likewise, if you think laundry detergent residue that is sticking to your clothing is a problem, try switching to a detergent that is free of dyes and fragrances.

2. Moisturize

Because hard water makes soaps less effective, you might also experience problems if you compensate by washing your hands more thoroughly. In that case, it's important to moisturize your skin regularly! Keep a bottle of skin moisturizer by your sink and make using it part of your regular routine.

3. Instead of Excessive Hand Washing, Use Sanitizer

If you're concerned about germs but soap residue from hand washing is leaving your hands dry, try using a hand sanitizer with aloe in it. It's as effective at eliminating germs and the aloe will help your skin!

What to do if You Have an Existing Skin Condition

The effects of hard water can make existing skin problems worse. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to combat these effects and improve your skin.

1. Use a Humidifier

Soap residue can sap the moisture from your skin; using a humidifier to fill the air with water vapor can combat this problem and keep your skin healthy. Sleeping with a humidifier on through the night can combat many of the negative effects of hard water.

2. Keep Baths and Showers Short & Use Cooler Water

Long hot showers and baths can continue to dry your already irritated skin. Wash as long as you need to get clean but don't soak for too long.

3. Moisturize While Your Skin is Still Damp

Moisturizer is most effective when there is some water still on the skin. Blot yourself with a towel, but stop before you're completely dry. Then apply your choice of moisturizer. It will do wonders to keep your skin from further drying out.

4. Instead of Soaps Use Gentler Cleansers

If you already have skin problems, even the most basic bars of soap can cause bad irritation. Try water-based cleansers and body wash; these won't leave behind the same residue that soap does with hard water and will wash away more easily.

If you're concerned about the effects of hard water on your skin care, the best way to ease your mind might be to eliminate your hard water problem completely. And the only way to do that is with a complete home water filtration system. These systems refine, clean and soften your home’s entire water supply so that showers, drinking water and even the water you wash your clothes with is the best it can be. Guardian Water Services provides one of the most affordable systems that can withstand the Florida climate and unique water challenges. Schedule a free, in-home water quality test to see how a Guardian water filter could improve your skin care!