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The antics of TikTok creators can either drive us mad or inspire us, depending on what we see. Making your own homemade sunscreen? An absolute no-no. Washing your face with bottled water? We’re curious. While it may sound like a beauty ritual reserved for the top 1% and bad for the environment, there has to be some merit to it. After all, if we’re not comfortable drinking tap water, why are we okay using it on our skin?
According to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Blair Murphy-Rose, “Many are susceptible to irritation from these contaminants in unfiltered water, particularly those with underlying inflammatory skin conditions and dry or sensitive skin.” It is hard to know if water is an offending source, and many don’t even realize that contaminants in water can have a negative effect on the skin. To get to the bottom of this and quench my thirst for knowledge (forgive me), I reached out to a few water board-certified dermatologists as well as a water sommelier below.
The Impact of Water Type on Skin Health
Several water-related factors, such as hardness, pH, and temperature, can affect your skin, says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Ashley McGuinness. She explains that some studies link hard water (which contains more dissolved minerals) to skin irritation. “Hard water, which has an even higher mineral content, can disrupt the skin barrier and remove the skin’s natural oils, leading to dryness and irritation,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Gloria Lin. She notes that these minerals can also bind to surfactants found in soaps and cleansers, making them harder to remove. “The leftover residue can clog pores and cause acne. Additionally, the mineral ions can cause free radical damage, collagen breakdown, and skin aging.”
The same can be said about pH—using water with a pH that deviates too much from our normal skin pH might also affect skin health explains Dr. McGuinness. However, whether this has a significant clinical impact is still up for debate.
Interestingly, Dr. McGuinness says that the most important factor is temperature. Water that is too hot can lead to dry and irritated skin. “I recommend using cool to lukewarm (at most!) water for my patients’ skincare routines.”
The Downsides of Tap Water
Even in New York, where bragging about the tap water quality seems like something everyone is paid by the government to say, there are concerns. When it comes to skin health, there are several factors related to tap water that can affect the skin.
- Chlorine and Chloramines: According to Dr. Murphy-Rose, these disinfectants (and their byproducts) are the most common tap water contaminants in the United States. She explains that they can strip the skin of its natural oils, resulting in dryness, redness, and sensitivity, particularly for those with preexisting skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis.
- Heavy Metals: “Contaminants like lead, copper, or mercury, often from aging pipes, can cause skin irritation and may lead to more severe health issues with prolonged exposure,” says Dr. Murphy-Rose.
- Hard Water Minerals: “High levels of calcium and magnesium can deposit on the skin, disrupting the natural barrier and leading to dryness, itching, and irritation,” explains Dr. Murphy-Rose.
- Bacterial Contaminants: Unfortunately, tap water is not sterile and can contain bacteria. Waterborne bacteria, in particular, are difficult to treat with chlorine, explains Dr. Murphy-Rose. “This poses health risks when they make contact with compromised skin, leading to infections or exacerbating pre-existing skin conditions like acne or fungal acne.”
The Quality of Your Tap Water
Before you panic, there are several methods to check the quality of your tap water, explains Lynn Ma, CEO and cofounder of Filterbaby. You can request a water quality report from your local water utility, which provides an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) detailing the water source, contaminants detected, and compliance with drinking water regulations.
Another option is to purchase a home testing kit from a hardware store or online retailer. “These kits typically test for common contaminants such as lead, chlorine, bacteria, pH levels, and hardness,” says Ma.
For more comprehensive results, consider sending a water sample to a certified laboratory, which can test for a wide range of contaminants and provide detailed reports. You can also use My Tap Score for home testing, along with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) resources and databases to find local water quality information and any potential safety standard violations. Additionally, the EWG offers a free tap water database where you can search your zip code to find the top contaminants in your area and access health guidelines.
Tap Water for Your Skin
“For the majority of people, using tap water will not harm your skin,” says Dr. McGuinness, so you can breathe a sigh of relief. “While water pH, hardness, and temperature can affect skin, these factors may impact certain people more than others,” she adds. However, Dr. Lin notes that if tap water has a high mineral content, it can exacerbate dryness and impair the skin barrier. “This may significantly affect those with more sensitive skin or eczema,” she warns. Additionally, minerals that bind to surfactants in cleansers and soaps can be problematic for acne-prone skin, as they may clog pores. “The oxidation reactions from the mineral ions can cause free radical formation, breakdown of collagen and elastic fibers, and premature aging.”
Is It Time to Switch to Bottled Water?
In short, no, says Dr. McGuinness. While using bottled water may allow you to control the pH and hardness of the water compared to tap water, “there is no strong evidence at this time to suggest it provides any real benefit.” While there’s no harm in using bottled water, factors such as ease of use, cost, and the environmental impact of disposable plastics should be considered. “For the general population, using tap water in conjunction with a consistent skin-care regimen—including a gentle face wash, moisturizer, sunscreen during the daytime, and other products specific to your skin concerns—will keep your skin healthy,” advises Dr. McGuinness.
However, depending on your geographic location and skin type, there might be some benefits to using bottled water. Tap water quality can vary significantly depending on where you live. “If you notice worsening of your skin condition after using tap water, it may be beneficial to try bottled water or a water filtration system,” says Dr. Lin.
It’s important to note that not all bottled water is created equal. The pH and mineral content can vary depending on the brand. According to esteemed water sommelier Martin Riese, many bottled waters on the market are essentially gimmicks. For example, distilled water is just “boiling tap water, collecting the steam, and therefore it’s called distilled water,” while purified water is simply “tap water that’s been filtered through reverse osmosis.” Riese suggests sticking to natural spring water or using a water filter for the best results.
Try a Water Filter
Riese, who uses a water filter himself, believes that using a water filter can make a difference for your skin. He reminds us that “200 years ago in Europe, people visited bath and spa towns because they understood the importance of good water for skin health.” There are various types of water filters available now, but Ma suggests faucet-mount water filters as they “are an effective and accessible tool for reducing tap water contaminants and improving skin health.” She breaks down the different types of water filters for us below:
- Ceramic Filters: “Ceramic is a relatively inexpensive filter material that can remove some contaminants, sediment, and cysts from water,” says Ma. However, ceramic filters need to be washed and replaced frequently and are not effective at removing chlorine and chloramine.
- Vitamin C Filters: “These filters are often a gimmick,” warns Ma. They are inexpensive and use ascorbic acid (vitamin C) to neutralize chlorine and chloramines in tap water. “However, they degrade very rapidly, so they’re not ideal for long-term use and do little to address other common tap water contaminants.”
- Activated Carbon Filters: These filters are effective at removing chlorine, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other chemicals that can dry out and irritate the skin, explains Ma. They can also improve the taste and odor of the water. “The effectiveness of each filter can vary based on its quality, form, manufacturing process, and the formulation of activated carbon used by the manufacturer.”
- Ultrafiltration: “These are great for filtering bacteria and suspended particles ranging from 0.01 to 1.0 micrometers in size,” says Ma. The stability of the filtration process is heavily dependent on the technical manufacturing methods used by the manufacturer.
- Reverse osmosis (RO): RO filters and whole-house filters are expensive options for people with extremely sensitive or problematic skin. Whole-house filters require professional installation, but may be worth the investment, says Ma.
The Takeaway
While it’s easy to get caught up in the details, the most important focus should be on a good skincare regimen tailored to your specific skin concerns, as recommended by your dermatologist. There’s no harm in using bottled water on your skin, but its effectiveness can vary depending on the type of bottled water used. From a sustainability perspective, bottled water may not be the most environmentally friendly choice. It can also be cost-prohibitive to use bottled water for washing your face, so consider investing in a water filtration system instead.
