Limescale, Hard water and Ageing Skin

What is Limescale? Put simply, it is a hard chalky deposit, consisting mainly of calcium carbonate.

Can limescale from hard water really effect the condition of our skin? The answer is YES. Hard water contains minerals that can leave a build-up of soap residue. Hard water can also leave your skin feeling dry, as it strips away the natural moisture. This may make you look older as dry skin leads to fine lines and wrinkles. Dry skin doesn’t necessarily mean wrinkles and lines are worse than they were, but they can appear to be, as the dryer the skin, the older it tends to look.

To illustrate this, think of a dry pavement in the summer. Now imagine scratching a sharp stone across it. The chalky, flaky mark it leaves behind is much the same. Scratching the surface of extra dry skin can leave a, equally flaky mark. If you did the same to moisture packed, well hydrated skin, it would be a different story.

More Hard Water Effects on Our Skin

Hard water has traces of iron, magnesium and calcium, can form free radicals. These free radicals are known to break down collagen, which is essential in keeping our skin firm. Of course, as we age, we also stop producing fresh collagen at the rate that we did when we were in our youth, but given all of the anti-ageing skin care products out there these days, we are able to boost that collagen production. Shame then, to do all of the hard work, only for our water supply to counter-act it.

Counter-Act the effects of Hard water on Your Skin

• Drink plenty of water. Drinking hard water does not have the same effect as bathing and washing with it
• Hydrate your skin with topicals such as hyaluronic acid
• Moisturise with a light oil and top it off with a rich moisturising cream at night
• Only exfoliate gently with natural products if your skin is very dry

Long-Term Solution for Hard Water

A water conditioner will do as it says. It will condition your water without stripping away the benefits of the hard water.

Is it cost-effective to install a water conditioner?

Yes, in the long-term, a water conditioner will stop limescale build-up in the pipes and on taps, therefore it increases their longevity and keeps them in top working order. Dry skin conditions are often helped when hard water is treated.