Clear Skin and Soft Water
On August 13, 2009 in General
Acne is a bothersome skin condition that affects millions of teens and adults worldwide. While hundreds of thousands of products are advertised as effective treatments for acne, few of them live up to customer expectations. Perhaps there is an underlying factor that inhibits over-the-counter and prescription treatments from working effectively. This factor may be your home’s water quality. Water makes contact with our acne-prone skin on a continual basis, and as a result may be contributing to irritating acne breakouts. Although this is highly likely, few have focused their attention on the role of water in worsening acne.
Most homes in the United States receive what is known as hard water. This form of water is rich in minerals, predominantly Calcium and Magnesium. When we combine water with soap, we expect it to form a lather. This effect does not occur when hard water is combined with soap. Rather, soap scum is created. This soap scum creates a layer on our skin that spurs irritation and subsequently contributes to acne breakouts. There should be little doubt that a relationship exists between acne and hard water.
There are some fast and easy steps you can take to reduce the harmful effects of hard water. Have your bathroom fixtures replaced when needed as to prevent further contamination from hard water deposits. A home water softening system is a great investment for those who want clear and healthy skin, as well as a home free of hard water deposits and etched dishes. Soft water and acne do not tend to cohabitate. If only your facial area tends to be acne prone, you can use soft water to cleanse it. Put this water in a spray bottle and douse your face whenever need be. Finally, refrain from taking hot showers to prevent your pores from becoming temporarily enlarged. Enlarged pores can spell trouble, allowing soap scum and minerals to enter effectively causing a clog.