Can Hard Water Cause Acne? (5 Ways to Treat It)

From PMS to dirty washcloths, there are a ton of reasons why acne may occur. However, there’s one cause that may surprise you—hard water.

If you’ve noticed that your skin purging and breakouts picked up speed after a long shower or a cross-country move, you might be wondering, can hard water cause acne? 

Research shows that hard water, or water containing dissolved minerals, is a potential skin irritant. Luckily, you’re not stuck if your water pipes are leading to pimples. To cut off acne at the (water) source, keep reading to learn the effects of hard water on the skin barrier and how to treat them.

What is Hard Water?

Hard water refers to water that contains unfiltered minerals. It’s typically derived from the ground or other tap sources. Essentially, when the water passes through minerals in the ground like limestone or gypsum, it can pick up other minerals and substances like [1]:

• Calcium
• Magnesium
• Iron
• Manganese
• Sulfates
• Bicarbonates

In the United States, 85% of all water is considered hard [2]. The “hardness” of water is usually dependent on your location and local water piping infrastructure, so water hardness can vary from place to place.

How Would Hard Water Cause Acne?

So, why and how does hard water affect the skin? 

Essentially, the high mineral count in hard water is your skin’s Enemy No.1. If used on your face, the hard water can trap impurities, create excess dryness, and mess with your natural oil production. As a result, your sensitive skin may experience a mild or major freakout.

If using hard water in your skincare routine, you could develop any of these skin issues [3]:

• Acne vulgaris – The high mineral content of water stops soap from lathering properly. This creates a soapy film or “soap scum” on the skin that can clog pores and cause irritation—a perfect recipe for acne. Additionally, the hard water minerals can chemically convert your skin’s natural oils to the consistency of wax. This creates a comedogenic effect, clogging pores and creating pimples.
• Eczema – Some common minerals in hard water, such as calcium, are quite drying on the skin. This excessive dryness can lead to irritating skin conditions, such as eczema. In fact, one study of 7,500 children found that eczema was much more common among those who lived in hard water areas [4].
• Rosacea – While hard water cannot create rosacea (a condition of excess redness and small bumps on the skin), it can trigger flare-ups. The excess calcium deposits from hard water can dry out and irritate skin with rosacea [5].
• Accelerated aging – Yes, hard water can even age your face prematurely. The impurities found in or trapped by hard water can be free radicals—the oxidizing environmental molecules that accelerate aging. When absorbed into the skin, these free radicals can break down collagen and create fine lines and loss of volume.

5 Ways to Treat and Prevent Acne Caused by Hard Water

Unfortunately, hard water is a bit hard (no pun intended) to escape. While your average water filters can block dirt and impurities, they’re incapable of blocking tiny molecules like calcium and magnesium. Fortunately, there are other ways to block and lessen the effects of hard water on your skin.

If you think hard water is behind your skin problems, consider the following tips.

#1 Install a Water Softener

If you live in an area with particularly hard water (more on that below), you might want to invest in a water softener. 

A water softener, or home ion exchanger, removes the minerals and microscopic compounds in hard water, leaving you with softer and less irritating water. Experts recommend installing a water softener if your water’s hardness is greater than 7 grains per gallon [6].

#2 Use Lukewarm Water

We all love a long, hot shower. However, when you soak in the heat, you’re not only allowing hard water to hit your skin—you’re also possibly irritating your skin with the temperature.

This is because hot water can strip your skin of its natural oils, or sebum [7]. As a result, you may leave a shower drier than when you entered it. To prevent this irritating effect, switch to lukewarm water when showering or washing your face. 

#3 Eliminate Irritating Ingredients

If you are introducing new ingredients into your skincare routine, it is best to incorporate just one new product or ingredient at a time. For example, if you are dealing with acne, it may be best to incorporate either a retinoid, salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, while if you are dealing with skin aging concerns, it is best to consider vitamin C, retinoids or alpha-hydroxy acids. Some common ingredients that can leave dry our skin during first-time use include [8]:

• Retinoids (retinol, Retin-A, tretinoin)
• Vitamin C
• Alpha-hydroxy acids
• Beta-hydroxy acids
• Benzoyl peroxide
• Fragrances
• Parabens

#4 Avoid Over-Cleansing

Instead, opt to cleanse just twice per day—morning and night. If necessary, you can add a cleanse after exercise or heavy makeup use. 

For additional soothing, look for a gentle cleanser, or try a cleanser that’s specially-formulated to your unique skin, like PROVEN’s Personalized Facial Cleanser. This will prevent that “rubbery” skin feeling after you wash up.

#5 Apply Moisturizing and Hydrating Products

When faced with acne from hard water, don’t reach for harsh spot treatments and scrubs. Instead, ramp up the soothing factor in your skincare.

With hard water, acne is merely a symptom. The irritation, dryness, and clogged pores are what’s really triggering the acne, and possibly damaging your skin barrier in the process. When your skin’s barrier is broken, you lose even more hydration.

To preserve your sensitive skin, consider adding a hydrating moisturizer to your skincare routine. Our daily moisturizer with SPF offers extra skin protection alongside soothing and hydrating ingredients like [9]:

• Hyaluronic acid
• Squalane
• Vitamin E

What Areas Have the Hardest Water?

Unfortunately, hard water affects some areas more than others. According to experts, this is because ancient seabeds left behind limestone in the areas marked for very hard water in the US. 

If you live in any of these areas, you may need to take extra precaution against hard water’s damaging skin effects [10]:

• The Upper Great Plains (South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska)
• The Great Lakes (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio)
• The Southwest (Upper Texas, Southeast Arizona)
• The Florida peninsula

What Area Has the Softest Water? 

If hard water is an irritant for your skin, then you may want to keep some “softer” regions on your radar. The following regions are known for their soft water [11]:

• The Pacific Northwest (Oregon, Washington)
• The Southeast (Louisiana, Arkansas, Missipippi, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina)
• New England (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island)
• The Mid-Atlantic (Maryland, Delaware)

Soothe Your Skin with Products from PROVEN Skincare

Skincare is a multi-factor equation, shaped by ingredients, steps, genetics, and environments—including hard water environments. Fortunately, PROVEN Skincare is here to simplify and amplify your routine, with no fretting or experimenting necessary.

Our custom skincare routines are designed for your specific skin issues, from acne to fine lines and wrinkles. Through the power of natural and research-backed ingredients, we can bring out the best in your skin, even in the face of hard water. 

To start your soothing skincare journey, take our skincare quiz today.