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.”
