For those constantly wanting to improve their showering experience (showering, after all, can be a transformative and peaceful ritual if you want it to be), there’s one bathroom accessory that everyone can’t seem to stop talking about: filtered showerheads.
Different from the standard showerheads we’re accustomed to, a filtered showerhead, according to New York dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD, is a showerhead that uses filtration technology to help remove certain minerals and contaminants and improve the health of your skin and hair. But what exactly is it and—more importantly—do you need one?
To answer that, we turned to the experts. Below, Dr. Garshick and New York dermatologist Hadley King, MD, break down everything you need to know about filtered showerheads. Read on to learn more.
Featured Experts
- Marisa Garshick, MD is a dermatologist in New York
- Hadley King, MD is a dermatologist in New York
How Hard Water Harms Skin and Hair
Filtered showerheads are often advertised to fight against one thing: hard water. Hard water, says Dr. Garshick, refers to water with high mineral content. Dr. King explains that this happens when water goes through deposits of limestone, chalk or gypsum and ends up being filled with minerals such as magnesium and calcium. Washing with hard water can potentially dry or irritate sensitive skin and exacerbate dryness from skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis. It can also make hair dry, rough, dull and difficult to style.
“This effect is due to the fact that when water contains high amounts of calcium, it doesn’t properly dissolve soaps, detergents and other cleansing products, meaning that the soap residue is left on your skin and hair, as well as on your clothes and dishes,” Dr. King says. “Soft water makes it easier to form a sudsy lather and rinse the soap away.”
The Benefits of a Filtered Showerhead
How can we combat hard water? That’s where a filtered showerhead comes in. “Since a filtered showerhead may reduce exposure of the skin and hair to certain minerals and contaminants, it can leave the hair and skin looking and feeling softer and smoother,” says Dr. Garshick. She adds that a filtered showerhead can especially be helpful for those with dry or sensitive skin or anyone dealing with skin concerns such as eczema and dermatitis. For hair, it can remove minerals like chlorine and help reduce frizziness and dry ends.
There are no particular downsides to using a filtered showerhead, but Dr. Garshick says that not everyone will need one. Because it can be expensive, with many costing around a hundred dollars, difficult to install and require frequent changes (some need to be changed every few weeks while some can last for a couple of months), it can be more high maintenance than a regular showerhead. So, definitely think about whether you really need one before committing.
How to Find a Filtered Showerhead
If you do decide that you’re ready for a filtered showerhead, there are a few things to look out for. Dr. Garshick says that certain ones have different filtration methods for specific temperatures. For example, she says that if you like cooler showers, a carbon filter will be more effective for removing contaminants. If you like your showers hot, looking for a kinetic degradation fluxion (KDF) filtration system is best because the high temperatures won’t affect how the shower filters out hard water. There are also certain filters that are designed to target a specific contaminant (e.g. one to just take out chlorine in water), so she recommends considering the specific things you want out of your filtered showerhead before investing in one.
If you’ve now been convinced to get a filtered showerhead but have no idea where to start, we’ve got you covered. Below are nine filtered showerheads that Dr. Garshick and Dr. King (and we threw in some of our own picks) recommend. Read on and get ready for the cleanest wash of your life.
The Best Filtered Showerheads Worth Trying
