STOP Ruining Your Beauty Routine by Skipping this Step!

While getting a water softener solves the problem of excess minerals like calcium and magnesium, it does not remove all of the contaminents.

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Filtered Showerhead or Water Softener - which one is best?

What is "hard" water anyway?

Hard water is water that contains high levels of dissolved minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium. These minerals come from natural sources, such as rocks and soil, as water moves through them. Hard water can reduce the effectiveness of soap and lead to the buildup of mineral deposits, or scale, in pipes, water heaters, and applicances, which can affect their efficiency and lifespan.

But hard water impacts more than pipes and appliances. It also has a negative effect on your hair and skin.

Effects on Hair

• Dryness and Frizz: Hard water can make hair feel dry and brittle, leading to increased frizz and difficulty in styling.

• Product Buildup: The minerals can cause buildup on the hair, making it look dull and lifeless.

• Scalp Issues: Some people may experience scalp irritation or itchiness due to the harshness of hard water.

Effects on Skin

• Dryness: The minerals in hard water can strip natural oils from the skin, leading to dryness and irritation.

• Skin Conditions: For some people, hard water may exacerbate conditions like eczema or psoriasis, making skin more prone to flare-ups.

• Soap Residue: Hard water can react with soap, leaving a residue that clogs pores and can lead to breakouts.

Do you have hard water?

Some clues that you may have hard water are soap scum residue on laundry, dishes, tubs and sinks. Also, white chalky build-up on faucets, showerheads, kettles, and your water heater indicate mineral buildup.

You can buy hard water test strips or kits at home improvement stores or online that measure the hardness of your water based on mineral content. You can also perform a test yourself by simply filling a bottle with water, adding a few drops of liquid soap, and shaking it. If it doesn't lather well, you likely have hard water.

Water Softener to the rescue

If you determine that you do have hard water, a water softener is the first step in improving the quality of your water. A water softener works through a process called ion exchange to remove hard minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium, from water. It replaces these minerals with sodium or potassium ions, preventing scale buildup in plumbing and improving the efficiency of appliances like water heaters and dishwashers. By softening the water, it also helps extend the lifespan of your household fixtures and improves the effectiveness of soaps and detergents.

Is a water softener enough?

While getting a water softener solves the problem of excess minerals like calcium and magnesium, it does not remove all of the contaminents.

• Chlorine and Chloramines

• Heavy metals

• Bacteria & Viruses

• Sediments & particles

• organic compounds

• Flouride

For comprehensive water treatment, especially if you have specific contaminants of concern, you may need additional filtration systems, such as carbon filters or reverse osmosis units. Whether your water is hard or not, you may want to rid your home of the above contaminants.

Please note: as an affiliate for Amazon as well as many other companies, I may receive a small commission if you choose to click on one of my links and ultimately make a purchase. This in no way increases your cost.

Filtered Showerheads

One type of filtration system is a filtered showerhead. It can be a great addition to your bathroom, especially if you have hard water or are concerned about the overall quality of your water.

Filtered showerheads remove:

• Chlorine and Chemicals: Filtered showerheads typically contain activated carbon or other filtration media that can reduce chlorine and other chemicals.

• Sediment and Particles: Many filtered showerheads can trap larger particles, such as dirt, rust, and sand, which may be present in the water supply.

• Heavy Metals: Some filters can reduce levels of heavy metals like lead and mercury, which may be present due to plumbing or municipal water sources.

• Bacteria: Certain advanced filtration systems can reduce the presence of bacteria, sediment, and microorganisms, such as protozoan cysts (like Giardia and Cryptosporidium).

• Odors and Taste Compounds: Filtered showerheads can help remove unpleasant odors and tastes, such as those caused by hydrogen sulfide or organic compounds.

• Chemical Contaminants: Depending on the type of filter, some can also reduce various chemical pollutants, including pesticides and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Jolie Filtered Showerhead

I was approached by Jolie to try their award-winning filtered showerhead and share my opinion with my subscribers and followers.

To be honest, this is the first time I've thought about using a filtered showerhead, but now that I've researched the topic, I am very excited to add one to our home!'

The Jolie Filtered Showerhead removes chlorine, heavy metals & other contaminants from your shower water to improve your skin, hair and wellbeing.

For those of you interested in the details, Jolie designed their filtration to be best-in-class.

Using a proprietary blend of KDF-55 and Calcium Sulfite, the Jolie filtered showerhead:

• far exceeds NSF-177 certifications

• has been tested via multiple third-party labs

• does not clog nor reduce pressure

• includes the most KDF-55 vs. any other existing shower filter

Learn more about my personal experience with the Filtered Showerhead by Jolie when you subscribe to my YouTube channel and watch my journey! (See the "unboxing" video at the top of this post)

Wrap Up

After learning all of the possible contaminants in my water, I am keenly interested in doing all that I can to eliminate them!

Fortunately, I do not have hard water, so a water softener is not necessary. However, I am definitely thankful to Jolie for gifting me their Filtering Showerhead and I plan to add another one to our second bathroom.

Yes, the condition of your water can impact your home, your health, and even your appearance.

Which one is best: filtered showerhead or water softener? It really depends! If you have hard water, start with a water softener and consider adding a filter of some kind. And if you are alarmed by all of the possible contaminants mentioned in this blog, consider purchasing a filtered showerhead.

Let us know in the comments if you have hard water or not and whether you choose to use a water softener or a filter of some kind.