The antics of TikTok creators either drive us crazy or inspire us, depending on what we see. Homemade sunscreen? Totally taboo. Do you use bottled water to wash your face? We’re curious. While it may seem like a beauty ritual reserved for the top 1% and not good for the environment, it does have some benefits. After all, if we’re not used to drinking tap water, why should we use it on our skin?
“These contaminants in unfiltered water are likely to cause irritation for many people, especially those with underlying inflammatory skin conditions and dry or sensitive skin,” says board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Blair Murphy-Rose. A harmful source, many people don’t even realize that contaminants in water can have a negative effect on the skin. To find out and satisfy my thirst for knowledge (excuse me), I reached out to several water board-certified dermatologists as well as the water stewards below.
The effect of water type on skin health
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Ashley McGuinness says that certain water-related factors, such as hardness, pH, and temperature, can affect your skin. She explains that some studies have linked hard water (which contains more soluble minerals) to skin irritation. “Hard water has a higher mineral content, which can damage the skin barrier and strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness and irritation,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Gloria Lynn. These minerals can also bind to the surfactants in soaps and detergents, making them more difficult to remove, she explains. “The residue can clog pores and lead to acne. Additionally, mineral ions can cause free radical damage, collagen breakdown, and skin aging.”
Dr. McGuinness explains that the same applies to pH, and that using water with a pH very different from normal skin pH may also affect skin health. However, whether this has a significant clinical impact remains controversial.
Interestingly, Dr. McGuinness says the most important factor is temperature. Water that is too hot can cause skin dryness and inflammation. “I recommend my patients use either cold or warm water (best!) in their skincare routine.”
Disadvantages of tap water
Even in New York, where the government pays everyone to brag about the quality of the tap water, there are concerns. When it comes to skin health, there are several factors related to tap water that can affect your skin.
Chlorine and chloramines: According to Dr. Murphy-Rose, these disinfectants (and their byproducts) are the most common tap water contaminants in the United States. She explains that they strip the skin of its natural oils, causing dryness, redness, and sensitivity, especially in people with skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis.
Heavy metals: “Contaminants such as lead, copper, or mercury, often from old pipes, can cause skin irritation and long-term exposure may lead to more serious health problems,” says Dr. Murphy-Ross.
Hard water minerals: “High concentrations of calcium and magnesium can deposit on the skin, disrupting the natural barrier and causing dryness, itching, and irritation,” explains Dr. Murphy-Rose.
Bacterial contaminants: Unfortunately, tap water is not disinfected and may contain bacteria. Waterborne bacteria are particularly difficult to treat with chlorine, Dr. Murphy-Ross explained. “When they come into contact with damaged skin, they pose a health risk, causing infection or worsening existing skin conditions such as acne or fungal acne.”
tap water quality
Before you panic, there are a few ways to check the quality of your tap water, explains Lin Ma, CEO and co-founder of FilterBaby. You can request a water quality report from your local water company, which provides an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) detailing water sources, detected contaminants, and compliance with drinking water regulations.
Another option is to purchase a home testing kit from a hardware store or online retailer. “These kits typically test for common contaminants like lead, chlorine, bacteria, pH and hardness,” Ma said.
For more comprehensive results, consider sending a water sample to a certified lab that can test for a variety of contaminants and provide a detailed report. You can also use My Tap Score for home testing, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) resources and databases to find local water quality information and any potential safety standard violations. In addition, the EWG offers a free tap water database where you can search by zip code to find major contaminants in your area and get health guidelines.
Tap water is good for the skin
Dr. McGuinness says, “For most people, using tap water will not harm your skin,” so you can breathe a sigh of relief. She adds, “Although the pH, hardness, and temperature of water can affect the skin, these factors may affect some people more than others.” However, Dr. Lin points out that if tap water is high in minerals, it can increase dryness and damage the skin barrier. “This can severely affect people with sensitive skin or eczema,” she warns. Additionally, minerals that bind to surfactants in cleansers and soaps can cause problems for acne-prone skin because they can clog pores. “The oxidation reactions of mineral ions can lead to the formation of free radicals, breakdown of collagen and elastin fibers, and premature aging.”
Is it time to switch to bottled water?
In short, no, says Dr. McGuinness. While using bottled water may regulate water pH and hardness compared to tap water, “there is currently no strong evidence that it provides any real benefit.” While there is no harm in using bottled water, single-use plastics should be considered based on factors such as ease of use, cost and environmental impact. “For the general population, using tap water with an ongoing skin care regimen that includes a gentle face wash, moisturizer, sunscreen and other products specific to your skin concerns during the day will keep your skin healthy,” suggests Dr. McGuinness.
However, depending on your location and skin type, there may be some benefits to using bottled water. Depending on where you live, the quality of tap water can vary significantly. “If you find that your skin condition worsens after using tap water, using bottled water or a water filtration system may help,” says Dr. Lin.
It’s important to note that not all bottled water is created equal. pH and mineral content can vary from brand to brand. Respected sommelier Martin Riese says that many bottled waters on the market are artificial. For example, distilled water is just “tap water that’s been boiled and the steam is collected, so it’s called distilled water,” while purified water is just “tap water that’s been filtered through reverse osmosis.” Riese recommends drinking natural spring water or using a water filter for best results.
try a water filter
Lisbon also uses water filters and believes that using them can make a difference to your skin. He reminds us that “200 years ago in Europe, people flocked to bath and spa towns because they understood the importance of good water for skin health, now there are different types of water filters, but Ma recommends using tap installation water filters.” They are “an effective and easy-to-use tool for reducing tap water pollution and improving skin health.”
Ceramic filters: “Ceramic is a relatively inexpensive filter material that can remove some contaminants, sediment and cysts in water,” Ma said. However, ceramic filters require frequent cleaning and replacement and are not as effective at removing chlorine and chloramines.
Vitamin C filters: “These filters are often a sham,” Ma warns. They’re inexpensive and use ascorbic acid (vitamin C) to neutralize chlorine and chloramines in tap water. “However, they degrade very quickly, making them unsuitable for long-term use, and contribute little to addressing other common tap water contaminants.”
Activated carbon filters: Ma explains that these filters effectively remove chlorine, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other chemicals that can dry out and irritate your skin. They can also improve the taste and smell of water. “The effectiveness of each filter can vary depending on its quality, form, manufacturing process and the activated carbon formula used by the manufacturer.”
Ultrafiltration: “These are great for filtering out bacteria and suspended particles that are 0.01 to 1.0 micron in size,” says Ma. The consistency of the filtration process depends largely on the technical manufacturing methods used by the manufacturer.
Reverse osmosis (RO): RO filters and whole-house filters are expensive options for people with extremely sensitive or problematic skin. Whole-house filters require professional installation but may be worth the investment, Ma said.
take out
While it’s easy to get bogged down in the details, the most important focus should be on following your dermatologist’s recommendations for a good skin care regimen tailored to your specific skin concerns. Using bottled water isn’t harmful to your skin, but its effects can vary depending on the type of bottled water used. From a sustainability standpoint, bottled water may not be the greenest option. The cost of using bottled water to wash your face may also be prohibitive, so consider investing in a water filtration system.
