Can Hard Water Cause Acne – Prevent Hard Water Pimples (2023)

Last Updated on January 19, 2023 by Mattias

Did you wake up with acne and can’t understand how you got it?

Your diet is spot on; you have a skincare routine every evening and the latest beauty products for your skin…but still, you got pimples everywhere.

Chances are that you have hard water in your home. If you got high levels of minerals in your water supply, it’s considered to be hard water.

The good thing is we will answer how you can stop getting acne breakouts and other skin issues. We will also go through the negative effects of hard water and, most of all, answer the question, “can hard water cause acne?”

What Skin Conditions Can You Expekt From Hard Water?

Hard water can cause many problems in your household and your skin health. It can make your soap scum lather properly, so you can’t rinse off the dead skin.

Often a soapy layer or film stays on your skin since it can’t be washed off properly. This also goes for hard minerals, which can remain on your skin instead of being washed off.

This can lead to the following:

• Dry skin
• Skin irritation
• Itchy skin
• Skin problems like psoriasis or eczema

If you got sensitive skin, you should be caseous since hard water can be more harmful to you. The contaminants from hard water left on your skin can cause a breakdown of collagen, which means that your skin will age since the skin sags and fine lines and wrinkles will come.

But does the hard water cause acne?

Yes, due to its high mineral content, it can lead to many complexion problems. It starts with clogged pores, leading to blackheads, rosacea, or larger pimples. 

So if you got hard water and acne-prone skin, you might harm your skin every time you wash it. But if you should understand how water can cause acne, you must understand what hard water does to your skin.

You see, the minerals in your water interact with the oils in your skin and all the moisturizers or creams you use on your face.

If the oils in your skin and the minerals from the water are left after you’ve washed your face with hard water, it can change the oil’s consistency from liquid to a more wax-like form which can clog your pores.

So if you got some acne breakout, there’s a big chance that excess oil sits in your face and you got clogged pores.

Okay, now you might think: “I’ll just buy some cream to stop the pores from clogging.”

Sorry to break it. It doesn’t work. Because when that moisturizer comes in contact with the contaminants left on your skin, it will have the opposite effect and clog your pores instead.

Clog pores are a common problem, and using skin care products when dealing with hard water will make your acne break even more. So if you want to use gentle cleansers, skin barrier creams, or natural oils, don’t. Ensure you get soft water first. Then you can use any cram you want that gives you clean skin.

Focus number one should be to get rid of the heavy metals and the water hardness. Only then can you get clear skin without any problems.

How To Protect Your Skin From Hard Water

You can do a few options to protect yourself from acne from hard water or other skin issues.

Using a Water Softener

The best way to improve your water quality and treat hard water is by using a water softener. Not only will it improve your water and your hard water skin problems, but it will also help prevent your water pipes from clogging,

“Did you know that 85% of people have hard water and that 30% of them use a water softener?”

One effective solution would be to buy a water softener for your shower head, and you might even see a change on your shower doors since hard water can cause limescale build-up on those. Even a washing machine can benefit from a water softener.

But a complete water softener system or a complete home filtration system is highly recommended due to all the benefits you get from it.

Don’t shower for a long time.

Keep your shower time brief and avoid extreme cold and hot water.

Avoid frequent washing of your face.

By not washing your face frequently, you can avoid hard water.

Use fragrance-free body washes and moisturizes.

It all comes down to your skin type, but if you have dry or sensitive skin, try using fragrance-free products.

Can Hard Water Cause Acne Summary

I hope you enjoyed this article answering the question, “does hard water cause acne?”

As you discovered, hard water can clog your pores and give you irritated skin. As we stated above, you can do a few things to protect yourself. But at the end of the day, if your hard water causes acne, a water softener is the only solution.

Good luck!