We often avoid drinking tap water because of the chemicals it contains—but how harmful is tap water to our skin? Keep reading to find out why some experts are recommending filtered water for your skin care routine.
When it comes to drinking, we're well aware that all water is not created equal—you would never drink from a swimming pool, and you may hesitate before drinking water in a foreign country. But we rarely show such concern about the water that comes into contact with our skin. According to some dermatologists, we should seek filtered water for our skin, as well.
Dr. Dennis Gross, dermatologist and associate clinical professor at New York University Medical Center, is especially concerned about the metals, chemicals, and free radicals found in tap water.
"While [tap water] is clearly drinkable, if you are unlucky enough to be exposed to bad water on a regular basis your skin can suffer the same kind of damage [..] as sitting in the sun with suboptimal protection," Gross told PRNewswire.com.
Keep reading to discover which tap water ingredients are harmful to skin—and what you can do to avoid them.
Livestrong.com, a health and lifestyle Web site, reports, "According to Wilkes University, unfiltered tap water not only can taste bad, but it can be contaminated with a variety of chemicals, carcinogens and decaying organic matter which may be harsh to your skin."
The following ingredients, in particular, are damaging to your skin. If you've noticed frequent drying, clogged pores, or irritation, these compounds may be to blame.
Chlorine is a powerful chemical that you likely encounter on a daily basis. According to the New York Department of Health, "Chlorine is among the ten highest volume chemicals made in the United States," and it's used in everything from swimming pools to household bleach. Chlorine is also present in our tap water, where it works as a disinfectant to kill harmful bacteria. Chlorine's disinfectant properties are beneficial, but, as an afternoon in a swimming pool will tell you, the chemical can leave your skin feeling dry and irritated.
Chlorine levels in tap water are relatively low, but Dr. Gross points out that frequent exposure can cause redness and irritation: "Individuals with easily irritated skin or those who suffer from conditions such as eczema or rosacea may experience increased redness from the chlorine in tap water."
Discovery Health also notes the potential long-term damage of skin's exposure to chlorine:
Even small amounts of chlorine can be harmful over time. When you shower, heat opens your pores and allows the chlorine to seep into your skin. Chlorine strips the skin of its natural oils and causes it to dry and crack, which can lead to wrinkles."
Just as several hours in the pool would leave your skin feeling parched, daily exposure to small amounts of chlorine can add up to damage over time.
In addition to chlorine, tap water contains minerals that keep its pH within a safe range for drinking. These minerals, however, can be harsh on your skin. Skin care Web site CareFair.com lists the following harmful elements found in tap water:
"When left behind on skin and hair, these metals and minerals act as free radicals, the very same culprits that we read and hear about in pollution and the sun that break down the cell structure, which can lead to fine lines, wrinkles and clogged pores in skin and dull, dry, brittle hair," CareFair.com reports.
According to PRNewswire.com, Dr. Gross agrees that heavy metals in tap water can break down collagen and eventually lead to wrinkles.
There are ways to protect your skin from tap water short of stocking your bathroom with bottles of Evian. Consider outfitting your hard water shower head with a filter to remove chlorine and metals from the water or using water from a carbon-filter pitcher to wash your face at night. Alternatively, you can wash your face with pH-balanced toner or beauty fluids.
Life123.com recommends treating your skin to a spritz of mineral water: "You may want to consider avoiding tap water when you rinse your face. [...] Try spritzing your skin with mineral water instead to give your face an extra boost of healthy, essential moisture without the drying effects of chlorine and other additives to tap water."
With a little planning, you can reduce your skin's exposure to harsh chemicals and restore its healthy glow.
About Our Savvy Advisor: Jessica Hanley
Jessica is a writer living in California. She loves to be outside, has no patience for expensive skin care regimens, and always wears sunscreen.
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