The benefits of water softener systems are well-documented and, if you live in a hard-water area, installing one could transform your home for the better. Your appliances will last longer, your bathroom and kitchen will be limescale-free, and you’ll save money on your household energy bills. But there’s more to it than that.
A water softener can dramatically improve the condition of your skin and hair. If you suffer from eczema, an itchy scalp, lacklustre hair, or dry skin, it could be just what you need to restore natural oils and pH levels. In this article, we’ll explain how.
What Are Water Softeners?
Water softeners are filtration systems connected to your mains water supply. They work by removing the minerals that cause hard water, namely calcium and magnesium, in a process called ion exchange.
When hard water passes through a water softener system, calcium and magnesium deposits stick to the microscopic beads inside. The water that comes out the other side is pure, soft and free from those minerals that are so damaging to our plumbing systems, appliances, skin, and hair.
In the final stage of the exchange process, the microscopic beads pass through sodium (block salt) rinse to remove the minerals stuck to the outer surface. The harmless calcium and magnesium deposits are flushed out of the system and down the drain.
You can use softened water in the same way as non-softened water for washing, cleaning, and drinking, but it has slightly higher sodium levels than hard water and may not be to everyone’s taste.
How Can A Water Softener Improve My Skin?
While hard water is perfectly safe to use (more than 13 million homes are in hard-water regions in the UK), it can potentially cause multiple skin problems. Here’s why:
> Due to its high mineral content, hard water doesn’t lather like soft water, making our soaps and shower gel less effective at cleaning our skin. It also makes them more difficult to remove, no matter how many times we rinse. Over time, layers of soap can build-up on the skin, much like limescale builds up on your bathtub, and this can lead to dryness and blocked pores.
> When the skin is dry, it naturally produces more oils, leading to acne breakouts on the face and body. It can also cause seborrheic dermatitis, a chronic form of eczema caused by over-productive sebaceous glands.
> According to research carried out at the University of Sheffield and Kings College London, the high alkalinity of hard water can disturb the skin’s natural pH levels, making it prone to infection, sunburn, and eczema.
With a water softener, you can avoid all the above skin complaints. Softened water creates a luxurious lather, it rinses with ease, and you’ll feel the difference in your skin after just one or two days. Soft water really can improve your skin by restoring natural oil, moisture, and pH levels and preventing the build-up of shower gel and soap products.
Can A Water Softener Improve My Hair?
If you find you have dry hair, no matter how much conditioner you use, it could be down to hard water. Calcium and magnesium both create a chalky residue that can build-up on your scalp and hair, much like it does inside your kettle, and this can lead to all kinds of problems.
> Hard water makes shampoos and conditioners less effective, and buying expensive products will not combat the problem. Due to its high levels of minerals, hard water stops cleaning products lathering as they should and makes them difficult to rinse out.
> Over time, the minerals in high water coat the scalp, making it dry and itchy and often causing dandruff. They also coat the hair follicles, creating an impenetrable barrier against your shampoo and conditioner and leaving your hair dry and brittle.
> When the scalp becomes dry, it naturally produces more oils to compensate, leading to greasy roots and dry, unmanageable lengths. You can invest in the best hair care products around, but if you wash your hair in hard water, you will never get the lustrous locks you want.
With a water softener system, you can say goodbye to bad hair days for good. By removing magnesium and calcium from your water supply, your shampoos and conditioners will work more effectively, your scalp will restore natural pH levels, and your hair will be softer and shinier than ever before.
Installing a home water softener will not only improve the condition of your skin and hair, but it could save you money on cleansing and styling products as you’ll use less. It’s a wise investment for any family home, so why not treat yourself today. Your skin and hair will thank you for it, as will your household appliances and plumbing system.
