Hard water is a common culprit in the fight
against dry skin. This build-up of minerals in hard water makes it very
difficult for other substances to dissolve in that water, including soaps and
detergents. A variety of un-dissolved substances can leave a surface residue on
the washing machine, clothing, plumbing, tub, shower, hair and skin. Bathing
and washing our clothes in hard water can lead to increased skin irritation.
When bathing, we often lather ourselves up with
soaps, shampoos, conditioners and other cosmetics and cleaning products. If
your water is hard, you may notice these products aren't lathering up satisfactorily.
This could encourage you to use more of the product. The combination of hard
water and increased amounts of cleansing products can really work against us, leaving
more residue of the hard water and cleaning products on the skin. The soap
residue left behind on your skin clogs the pores and irritates the skin, making
it itchy, flaky, and dry. The minerals in the hard water itself can also clog
skin pores, which can be especially harmful to more sensitive areas like the
face. Facial skin or other areas that are thin, blemished, or irritated from
associated dry skin conditions may worsen, with flushing from damage to the
blood vessels. In addition to your skin carrying a residue of soap and hard
water, our clothing, sheets, and linens are also vulnerable.
The water in our washing machines is typically no
different from that in our showers; it too can leave detergent residue in our
clothing and linens. Therefore, our skin can be in constant contact with this
residue, causing chafing, rubbing and further skin irritation. Hard water can
be especially irritating to those who already suffer from a skin condition like
dermatitis. While hard water itself doesn't cause dermatitis, it can irritate
the condition or even initiate a flare-up. One of the most common effects of
hard water is its ability to dry out the skin, leave it unable to absorb
moisture and uncomfortable.
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