Where you live in the UK has a direct impact on your water quality, most-notably, Southern towns predominantly have hard water, as does 60% of the entire UK.

Hard water alone is damaging enough, but when you stop to think that almost 100% of the UK has chlorinated water, it doesn’t paint a pretty picture.

Hard water, chemicals like chlorine, and heavy metals such as lead, aluminium, iron, copper, mercury are more than just environmental concerns—they can seriously impact your skin and hair health.

Many people don’t realise the effect these hidden elements have until they try a filtered shower. Personally, I always thought the dryness, irritation, and flare-ups of skin conditions like dermatitis and dandruff were just down to genetics.

It wasn’t until I tried Curo that I realised, actually, it’s not normal, and slapping a load of moisturiser and oil on everyday isn’t the way it has to be. Just know, you’re not alone—real people have been through this too.

Understanding Hard Water, Chemicals & Heavy Metals in Water and Their Impact on Skin

Your water contains more than just H₂O. Hard water, filled with minerals like calcium and magnesium, can be tough on your skin, and scalp especially. Think of it like an invisible coating, that when it dries on your skin, leaves behind an invisible, slimy layer. On top of that, chemicals such as chlorine and heavy metals like lead and mercury can also be present. Here’s what they do:

• Chlorine: Dries out your skin by stripping away its natural oils, leaving it feeling tight and flaky.
• Lead: Prolonged exposure to lead can cause rashes, skin irritation, and toxicity. It has also been linked to hair loss.
• Copper: If your pipes aren’t old ones made from lead, they’ll definitely be made from copper. High levels of copper strips colour from our hair.
• Mercury & Other Heavy Metals: Known to trigger allergic reactions, redness, and eczema, with links to hair loss. They also block pores, speed up skin ageing, and reduces the effectiveness of soaps.
• Hard Water: Contains high levels of calcium and magnesium, which lead to dryness, irritation, and exacerbates of conditions like eczema.

The Hidden Dangers of Contaminated Water: Real Stories from People Like You

Me personally, I’ve faced the impact of contaminated water on my skin for years, without ever knowing that was the cause. My girlfriend, Jess, also has suffered with hair issues for as long as I’ve known her. We both just put it down to genetics, and that lots of people suffered, so it must just be normal. Until we realised it’s not. Below are some of our stories:

Dry, Itchy Skin & Scalp

“I’d blame my genetics for my constantly dry, itchy skin and scalp. I’d blame the weather. I’d blame my beard for growing past a certain length. I’d blame well known-brands’ moisturiser, for not soaking in under a bit of stubble enough. I blamed them for years, not once did I think it could be the water, until I tried a Curo shower, and then all of a sudden, it was gone within two weeks?!”

• Symptoms: Dry, flaky skin. Irritation under beard hair. Painful to touch. Symptoms never seemed to improve that much, even with oil and balm.
• Impact: Constant need for heavy moisturisers and face oils, discomfort after every shower, patchy flakes of skin.

Dermatitis & Hair Extensions

“Being a woman with sewn-in hair extensions, it’s tough to keep my scalp healthy as most shampoos are unusable due to the colour-stripping chemicals in them. I’d have the embarrassment of walking around with a flaky scalp for days whenever I had a flare-up.”

• Symptoms: Severe dermatitis flare-ups, redness, and dry patches of skin around hair extensions in particular.
• Impact: Embarrassing days out of the house, and needing to apply natural oils (coconut & castor oil) for days on end.

Regular Tap Water Contamination & Eczema

“My eczema flared up constantly, and I couldn’t work out why until I read our water quality report and put two and two together.”

• Symptoms: Eczema flare-ups, redness, and sore, dry patches.
• Impact: Increased need for medical treatments and ointments.

How Filtering Shower Water Changed Lives: Video Testimonial

In our testimonial video, you can see our before and after filtering their water drastically improved their skin health. Here are some highlights:

Key Takeaways:

• Water filtration can reduce skin issues like dryness, irritation, and eczema flare-ups caused by hard water, chlorine, and heavy metals.
• Watch real transformations and hear firsthand how clean water has made a difference.

“Switching to filtered water completely changed my skin—no more dryness or rashes!”

The Science Behind Our Water Filtration: How It Works

Our filter is made up of KDF-55, Calcium Sulfite and Activated Carbon. These three wonder ingredients make up the most powerful handheld shower filter on the market (ours!). Working together, they successfully remove up to 99% of chemicals like chlorine, and heavy metals such as lead, aluminium, iron, copper, mercury and many more. The Activated Carbon helps absorb the pesticides and herbicides that the other two filtration elements struggle with.

If you suffer with hard water, the best solution is to install a whole-house water softener filter, this is the only true way to remove the calcium in your water that is making it ‘hard’. That being said, your skin conditions are probably more-than-likely caused (or at least exasperated) by the chlorine and heavy metals found in your water, and these are where KDF-55 and Calcium Sulphite thrive!

• KDF-55 works through a chemical reaction process known as ‘redox’ (oxidation-reduction), which replaces harmful contaminants with harmless compounds. It's effective at reducing chlorine, hydrogen sulphide, heavy metals, and controlling bacteria, algae, and fungi.
• Calcium Sulfite is extremely effective at reducing chlorine levels, it works by breaking down chlorine in to chloride ions.
• Activated carbon is a highly porous form of carbon, which has the ability to absorb contaminants, effectively trapping them as they pass through. It’s especially important when you want to remove pesticides, herbicides, and other organic compounds that KDF-55 and Calcium Sulphite struggle with.

By filtering out hard minerals, chemicals, and heavy metals, these systems protect your skin & hair from the harmful effects of unfiltered water, leaving them healthier and more hydrated.

Preventive Measures and Skincare Tips Against Contaminated Water

If hard water or contaminated water is affecting your skin, here are some preventive steps you can take:

• Install a shower head filter to reduce exposure to hard water, chlorine, and heavy metals.
• Use gentle, chemical-free soaps to avoid further skin irritation.
• Moisturise immediately after showering to lock in moisture before your skin dries out.
• Take shorter, cooler showers to minimise the drying effects of hot water.

How to Tell If Your Water Is Wrecking Your Skin

Wondering if your water is causing your skin issues? Here’s a checklist of potential issues:

• Persistent dryness and flakiness after showering
• Unexplained redness, itching, or skin irritation
• Frequent eczema flare-ups or worsening of existing skin conditions

The Hidden Culprits in Your Shower Water

Your tap water may look ‘clean’, but it’s a murky story when you look at what’s in it. It's a cocktail of various elements, some of which aren’t doing your skin and hair any favours.

Don’t believe us? Open up Google and search: “‘your water company name’ Water Quality Report”, enter your postcode on your water company's website, and take a look for yourself. When we first searched ours, we found 72 chemicals and heavy metals reported as being found in our water supply, such as:

1. Chlorine and chemicals: Yes, the same stuff used in swimming pools. It's great for killing the harmful bacteria found in water, but it also causes major issues on your skin and hair such as irritation, dryness and exasperating conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis and dandruff. Other chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides,
2. Heavy metals: Arsenic, lead, copper, and aluminium - are just a few of the soluble metals that find their way into your shower water, especially if you live in an older home. These clog pores and stick to hair follicles over time, leading to weak, brittle hair loses natural shine.
3. Hard water minerals: If you live in a hard water area (60% of the UK does), your water is full of calcium and magnesium. These minerals can leave a residue on your skin and hair - just take a look at your kettle as an example!
4. Bacteria and other microorganisms: While our water treatment is generally excellent, some nasties can occasionally slip through the net. This is where chlorine saves the day, however we don’t want to wash ourselves in it.

7 Signs Your Shower Water May Be Affecting Your Skin

If you're experiencing any of the following, your shower water might be the culprit:

• Dryness and itchiness
• Eczema and psoriasis flare-ups
• Flaky scalp
• Weak, brittle hair strands that are prone to frizziness.
• Dull hair colour or rapid loss of hair colour
• Premature ageing
• Acne or other skin irritations such as rashes

The Science Behind Water Quality and Skin Health

Don’t just take our word for all of this – there's the real science behind how water affects our skin and hair:

• Chlorine strips away the natural oils that keep our skin and hair moisturised and protected. Our skin should be elastic, chlorine tightens it up.
• Hard water can disrupt your skin and hair's pH balance, leading to dryness and irritation.
• Contaminants in water can damage your skin's protective barrier, making it more susceptible to environmental stressors and allergens.

Beyond Your Skin & Hair: Other Health Implications

It's not just your skin and hair at risk. Poor water quality can affect:

• Your respiratory system: Chlorine vapours are released in hot water in the steam, and isn't ideal for your lungs.
• Your overall health: Some studies suggest potential long-term health effects from prolonged exposure to certain water contaminants.

How Can You Check Your Water Quality?

Curious about what's in your water? As part of UK Government legislation, water companies are forced by law to test your water at the local source and publicly report the figures for transparency. Unfortunately, they don’t scream and shout about this, so many people don’t even know that water quality reports exist. Open up Google and search: “‘your water company name’ Water Quality Report”, enter your postcode on your water company's website, and take a look for yourself.

What Can You Do?

Water filters are the best way to remove most of the nasty stuff from your water supply. At Curo, we have created a filtered shower head that successfully removes up to 99% of chemicals and heavy metals by using two of the best water filtration mediums on the market; KDF-55 and Calcium Sulphite. As water passes through the filter, a chemical reaction (redox) successfully transforms harmful contaminants into harmless components. The result? Pure, clean water, that will leave your skin singing and hair dancing.

In the meantime, pay attention to how your skin and hair feel after showering. Is your skin tight, dry, or itchy? Have you got a build-up of flaky skin in your hair or a constant stream of dandruff that you can’t clear? These could be signs that your water is the issue.

Remember, your skin is your body's largest organ, and plays a crucial barrier against environmental harm and how you feel. Taking care of it isn't just about what you put on it – but what you’re exposed to.

If your skin feels dry and irritated, your shower water might be the culprit. Unfiltered water can have harmful effects on both your skin and hair, contributing to issues like dryness, irritation, and even acne flare-ups. But there’s a simple solution: a filtered shower head. By removing impurities, a filtered shower head can significantly improve your skin’s health.

Ready to make a change? Explore our guide on "How to Choose the Right Shower Filter for Your Needs" and transform your shower experience.

Unfiltered shower water can negatively impact your skin and hair. Some common issues include:

• Dryness & Irritation: Chemicals and heavy metals (which can be found in almost 100% of UK tap water) can strip your skin of its natural moisture, leading to dryness and irritation.
• Eczema, Acne & Other Skin Condition Flare-ups: Chlorine and other chemicals can exacerbate conditions like eczema, acne, psoriasis and dermatitis, making your skin more prone to breakouts.
• Hair Damage & Colour Fading: The contaminants in unfiltered water can weaken your hair, cause split ends, and even lead to colour fading if your hair is dyed.

Imagine how much healthier your skin and hair could be without these harsh elements affecting them daily.

[[IMAGE PLACEHOLDER]]

Our filtered shower heads work by removing chlorine, heavy metals, and other impurities from your water through a chemical reaction called redox. As water passes through the KDF-55 and Calcium Sulfite particles, harmful contaminants are replaced with harmless compounds. For pesticides where these two mediums aren’t as effective, we use the highly-porous ingredient of Activated Carbon which absorbs them. I

t’s important to remove the harmful substances from your water as they’re natural irritants, and can wreak havoc on skin and damage hair. Even after the first wash with a shower filter, you can feel the difference with smoother skin and softer hair. According to dermatologists, filtered water can help restore your skin's natural oils, which are essential for hydration.

Let’s break down the benefits of a filtered showerhead:

Filtered water removes irritants, which helps prevent redness, rashes, and other skin flare-ups such as eczema and acne. Pure water has your skin feeling smoother and more comfortable from the first wash.

Say goodbye to dull, lifeless hair! Filtered water helps maintain your hair's natural oils, improving texture and shine.

Ever got out of the shower and thought your skin felt tight? Hot water won’t help your cause if you take a red hot shower, but it’s more than likely the contaminants that have dried your skin of its natural oils. Filtered water helps your skin retain moisture by preventing the loss of these oils, making your skin feel hydrated and healthy.

Pull quotes from real users and skin experts further validate these claims, showing how filtered water has improved their skin and hair health.**

Choosing the right filtered showerhead may seem complicated, but we’ve broken it down into a few simple steps:

1. Understand Different Filter Types: KDF-55 and Calcium Sulphite lead the way for Chlorine and Heavy Metal removal. Activated carbon leads the way for pesticides and herbicides. Lucky for you, our filter contains all three of these, and in abundance due to the size of the filter we’ve managed to create! Other filter mediums are on the market, however they’re not as effective. You can frequently find showers containing Vitamin C, which reduces chlorine, and mineral balls (Tourmaline & Ceramic Balls) which can help to ionise the water. Some mineral balls also claim to have antibacterial effects.

2. Consider Filter Lifespan and Maintenance: Some filters last longer than others, so consider how often you'll need to replace them. We, like many other filter companies recommend replacing filters every 3 months to ensure effective performance, however, this depends on usage and how many showers your household takes per day.

3. Compare Installation Types: Handheld vs. fixed – what suits your shower setup best? Do you have a shower that connects via a hose? You’re in luck, you’ll need something like a Curo. If you have a shower arm that comes out of the wall, you’ll need something that screws straight onto this, we may or may not have something coming to help with this!

We’ve put together a comparison chart that can help you weigh the pros and cons of various filters, including cost, maintenance, and effectiveness. Need more guidance? See our useful chart to compare the best-filtered shower heads on the market at the minute.

Here’s a quick comparison of the top filtered shower heads, including Curo Skin:

Expert Opinions on Filtered Shower Heads

Experts agree that filtered water can have a profound effect on skin and hair health. Dermatologists and trichologists weigh in, offering insights into how filtered water protects against skin irritation and hair damage.

Pull quotes and Dr’s headshots will enhance the credibility of these statements. Internal links to related blog articles on skin care and water quality offer more information for those curious to learn more.

Installing our filtered shower is easy-peasy! Simply:

1. Unscrew your existing shower head.

2. Screw the Curo-filtered shower onto the shower hose.

3. Turn the water on and enjoy pure bliss!

4. Replace the filter every 3 months by simply unscrewing the faceplate, removing the old filter, and popping the new one in. No tools are required!

A picture tutorial or video demonstration can guide you through the process. For specific instructions on Curoskin products, visit our product page for detailed guides.

Here’s why we believe Curo is the best choice for filtered shower heads:

• Best-in-class filtration ingredients that perform even in hot water.
• Largest filter in any handheld shower on the market (to our knowledge!)
• Easy installation and filter replacement - no tools required!
• Sleek, modern design that’s available in multiple colours to suit your bathroom
• Proven results

You can save up to 15% when you take out a rolling subscription, where we’ll deliver a new filter to your door on time, every time (billed every 90 days). Or if you’re looking to save even more money and reduce your carbon footprint, you can save 25% if you purchase a yearly subscription and we’ll deliver all of your filters at once. Don’t worry though, we’ll still email to remind you when to change your filter!

Filtered shower heads offer numerous benefits, from reducing skin irritation to improving hair health. Here at Curo we’ve designed our showers to provide the best experience, ensuring you enjoy healthier skin and hair every day. Because when you look good, you feel good. Ready to make a difference?