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Tap Water and Skin Damage: Dermatologist Shares Safer Alternatives for Daily Cleansing
Tap Water Disadvantages for Skin: You need to know that the habit of washing your face with tap water is silently damaging your skin. Let's explore the dangers of washing your face with tap water and how to protect your skin.
Most of us splash tap water on our faces the moment we wake up or right before going to bed - it feels refreshing and effortless. Yet, this innocent-seeming habit may be silently hurting your skin. Tap water has chemicals and contaminants in it that can impair the skin's natural defense system and cause a number of long-term problems, says dermatologist Dr. Navjot Arora.
Dr. Arora describes how chlorine and other chemicals in tap water dissolve the protective layer of your skin, leaving it more susceptible to irritation, itching, rashes, and infections. Moreover, impurities and bacteria clog pores, aggravating pimples and acne. Gradually, this repeated exposure can have a visible impact on your skin's health and texture.
Hard water, especially, is problematic. When it comes into prolonged contact with the skin, minerals such as calcium and magnesium deposit over time, dulling the natural sheen of the skin and leaving it rough and lifeless. According to Dr. Arora, hard water also keeps cleansers and face washes from washing off fully, so that soap or cream residue builds up in pores and causes the skin to not breathe. This buildup depletes the skin’s moisture and radiance over time.
Moreover, frequent use of tap water can disrupt the skin’s pH balance, accelerating the appearance of wrinkles, blemishes, and other signs of aging. Even with regular moisturization, washing your face repeatedly with hard or chemically treated water can cause redness, dryness, tightness, and dehydration.
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Dr. Arora warns that people with dry, sensitive, or acne-prone skin are most affected. Those suffering from skin conditions like rosacea, eczema, or psoriasis are especially vulnerable, as their skin barriers are already compromised.
To protect your skin, Dr. Arora recommends switching to gentler alternatives. Micellar water effectively removes makeup and dirt without irritating the skin. Thermal spring water, rich in soothing minerals, helps calm inflammation and restore balance. Alternatively, using filtered or softened water can minimize impurities, offering a safer and more skin-friendly option for daily cleansing.
