Spray settings: 3 | Filter material: cotton; KDF-55, calcium sulfite | Filter life: 90 days | Color options: 6
Best Water Pressure: Afina Filtered Shower Head
Why it’s worth it: Afina’s Filtered Shower Head doesn’t skimp on either water pressure or clarification. This showerhead’s KDF-55- and calcium sulfite-based filtration system ensures levels of heavy metals are lowered for up to 3 months. This pick has a wide, thin base that creates a waterfall-esque effect with optimal water pressure, turning your shower into your little moment of paradise.
Spray settings: 1 | Filter material: KDF-55, calcium sulfite | Filter life: 3 months | Color options: 1
Best Adjustable Showerhead: Aquasana Filtered Shower Head
Why it’s worth it: Sometimes, it’s the little things that count, like the fact that Aquasana’s WaterSense Filtered Shower Head has a 360-degree showerhead neck for effortless adjusting. On top of its flexible neck, this new addition to your bathroom features a coconut-shell carbon and copper-zinc filtration system to provide cleaner water and, therefore, softer skin and hair.
Spray settings: 1 | Filter material: coconut shell carbon, copper-zinc | Filter life: 6 months | Color options: 1
Frequently Asked Questions
How does hard water affect my skin and hair?
Let’s start with a not-so-fun fact: Hard water contributes to soap scum, according to Dr. Ibrahim. “For people who have hard water in their shower, they’ll often see a layer of soap scum on their walls–that’s due to the minerals reacting to soap to form this insoluble layer,” he explains. How does that relate to your skin and hair? Well, according to Dr. Ibrahim, that layer of “scum” also develops on your body, which can exacerbate dryness and inflammation, especially for those with skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, keratosis pilaris, and even acne.
As for your hair, that layer of minerals leads to a dry, brittle texture and dull color (a major bummer if you pay for expensive color treatments). “Hard water can also exacerbate dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis,” adds Dr. Ibrahim.
How does a filtered showerhead benefit my skin and hair?
Washington, D.C.-based dermatologist Adam Friedman, MD, previously told Allure that these filters, also known as“water softeners, cleanse your tap water of mineral buildup “and replace them with sodium through a process called ion exchange,” he explained.
This process lowers the water’s concentration of mineral sediments, minimizing buildup and, potentially, irritation. To that end, “shower filters can help as long as they include a water-softening system,” says Dr. Ibrahim. In removing these minerals from your shower water, they can deliver calmer, healthier skin—not to mention shinier, softer hair. Consider them an investment in your long-term beauty routine.
Meet the experts
- Omer Ibrahim, MD, a Chicago-based board-certified dermatologist
- Adam Friedman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Washington, D.C.
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We are particularly discerning when writing about skin-care devices. This is because of the increased risks and, in many cases, the high price points, that accompany at-home dermatological tools and devices.