When it comes to skincare, most people focus on cleansers, moisturizers and diet, but the water you use every day plays just as big a role. Whether you’re washing your face, showering or soaking in the tub, your skin can react to the quality of that water.
The best water filters for skincare are those that reduce the most common irritants: chlorine and hard water minerals. Too much of these in your water can interfere with the skin barrier, leave behind residue and make your skincare products less effective – all potentially leading to dryness, irritation and other issues. But what is the right solution for your skin?
How does water quality impact your skin
To determine the best water filter for skincare, you first need to understand what’s in your water that could be impacting your skin. For most homes, it comes down to two problems: hard water and chlorine.
1. Hard Water
Hard water simply means water that contains elevated levels of calcium and magnesium. While these minerals are naturally occurring, they can cause visible buildup on everything your water touches, from faucets and shower doors to your skin and scalp.
When hard water interacts with soaps and shampoos, it can form a residue that doesn’t fully rinse away. This buildup can interfere with effective cleansing, disrupt the skin’s natural moisture barrier, and make it harder for natural oils to properly protect the skin — often leaving it feeling tight, dry or irritated.
Over time, this barrier disruption may contribute to itching or redness, particularly for people with sensitive skin. Research has also shown hard water to be a risk factor for eczema in children, and it is associated with an increased risk of developing psoriasis in adults.
2. Chlorine
Municipal water systems in the United States and Canada rely on chlorine or chloramine to disinfect water. These substances are highly effective at killing bacteria and viruses, helping make water safer to drink.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Primary Drinking Water Regulations limit chlorine levels to no more than 4 milligrams per liter (mg/L). Health Canada has not established a guideline based on low risk at concentrations typically found, but notes that free chlorine concentrations in most Canadian drinking water range from 0.04 and 2 mg/L.
While chlorine exposure from tap water is typically much lower than from swimming pools, it can still strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness, irritation and increased sensitivity—and may aggravate conditions like eczema or psoriasis. Prolonged or repeated exposure can leave skin feeling tight, itchy, or uncomfortable, particularly for those with sensitive or compromised skin barriers.
These effects don’t mean your tap water is unsafe, but they do highlight how water chemistry can influence how your skin feels. Over time, repeated exposure to hard water and chlorine can contribute to dryness, residue buildup and irritation that even premium skincare products can’t fully offset.
Does filtered water alone support healthier-feeling skin?
Filtered water can make a noticeable difference for your skin, especially if you live in an area with heavily chlorinated tap water. But not all filters are built the same — nor can they address all of your potential water quality issues.
Whole-home vs. shower filters
Whole-home filtration systems are installed at the point of entry for your home’s water supply. This allows them to treat all the water used in your home, including the water that flows to your showers, sinks and laundry. These systems can reduce chlorine at every tap, ensuring that every drop of water in your home is cleaner and gentler.
By contrast, shower filters are installed directly onto the showerhead and are designed to address chlorine at a single fixture. While they can provide short-term relief for dry skin or brittle hair, their impact is limited, and fitlers typicallu require frequent replacement.
What about hard water?
A water filter is crucial for addressing chlorine, but it won’t remove hardness minerals. To treat hard water, you need a water softener. These systems remove calcium and magnesium through a specialized process called ion exchange and improve the water throughout your home.
In the shower, softened water allows soap to lather and rinse off more effectively, preventing hardness mienerals from drying your skin and hair. It also allows skincare and haircare products to absorb more effectively, so you get the full benefit of your routine.
For the best results, Culligan recommends starting with a professional water test so you know what’s in your water and can get the right system to address your specific water quality issues.
Schedule your free water test.
The best water treatment solutions for skincare
When selecting the best water filter for skincare, it’s important to choose a system designed to target both mineral buildup and chlorine. Culligan offers several smart, efficient options to improve water quality throughout your home:
Smart High Efficiency Municipal Water Softener
Perfect for homes that rely on city water, the Aquasential® Smart High Efficiency Municipal Water Softener combines water softening and chlorine reduction in a single system. It’s designed to reduce hardness minerals like calcium and magnesium while reducing chlorine that can dry and irritate skin.
This system features Culligan’s patented Aqua-Sensor® technology, which automatically adjusts to your home’s water usage and regenerates only when needed, helping conserve salt and water. Built-in Wi-Fi connectivity enables remote monitoring, while customizable softness settings let you fine-tune your water for optimal skin comfort and home protection.
Homeowners who use water softeners often notice that their hair feels smoother and skin feels more hydrated after just a few weeks of use. In fact, 93% of water softener owners surveyed said they saw a positive change in their skin, and 9 in 10 of those surveyed noticed an improvement in their hair.
Aquasential® Smart High Efficiency Water Softener
The Aquasential Smart HE Water Softener is ideal for homes with high mineral content or visible scale buildup. It reduces hardness minerals and helps prevent the residue that can clog pores or leave skin feeling dry.
This system uses Aqua-Sensor technology for on-demand regeneration and Dial-a-Softness® control, allowing you to customize your water’s softness. With consistent soft water, shampoos lather more easily, skincare products rinse off completely and your skin feels smoother and more refreshed.
In addition to comfort, this system helps extend the lifespan of your plumbing and water-using appliances — a long-term investment in your home’s water quality and your skin’s comfort.
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Whole-home water filtration systems
For those who want to address chlorine or other aesthetic issues but don’t need softening, Culligan’s whole-home filtration systems can be configured to target specific water concerns. It can target chlorine via its proprietary Cullar® filtration media.
Installed at the point of entry, these systems deliver filtered water to every tap in your home. Paired with a water softener, this comprehensive solution ensures that your home’s water supports healthier-looking and feeling skin and hair, while protecting plumbing and appliances from buildup.
FAQs about water filters and skincare
Are skincare water filters worth it?
Skincare water filters that treat chlorine can be worth it if your home does not also have hard water. Have your water tested to know for sure, because a filter alone won’t address hard water, which can be a big factor in dry, irritated skin. For that reason, it’s best to combine a water filter with a water softener.
Is there a water filter that helps with skin?
Culligan’s softening and filtration systems work together to support your skin’s natural balance. Soft water helps maintain hydration by preventing mineral buildup that disrupts the skin barrier, while filtration reduces chlorine that can strip natural oils.
What is the best filter for skin?
The best water filter for skincare depends on your home’s water quality. A professional water test identifies your unique water composition, helping determine whether a softener, filtration system or both are needed.
Does hard water cause acne?
No. Hard water has not been shown to directly cause acne, but residue left behind can disrupt the skin barrier and further irritate acne-prone skin.
How long does it take to notice a difference?
It’s common for skin to see positive impacts within days of using a water softener and chlorine filtration system.
Take the first step toward better water and skin
Your skincare routine shouldn’t start and end with what’s in your cabinet. The water flowing from your tap is a key ingredient to better skin. Addressing water quality is one of the simplest ways to support your skin’s hydration and comfort every day.
Whether you’re dealing with hard water buildup, chlorine dryness or just want the best water for your skin, Culligan offers a range of whole-home water softening and filtration systems that can help.
Schedule your free, in-home water test and consultation to learn what’s in your water and discover the best combination of solutions for your home, skin and hair.
