Dry, itchy skin after every shower is usually the water, not the soap
Hard minerals leave a film of soap scum on skin and hair that blocks moisture. Chloramine in the shower steam strips natural oils on top of that. Change the water and most people feel the difference within a week.
Signs you have it
- Tight, itchy skin right after showering
- Eczema or psoriasis flare-ups that improve on vacation
- Dull, frizzy or straw-like hair that resists conditioner
- Soap that will not lather and a scummy feel that never fully rinses
- Red or stinging eyes in the shower
What causes it
Calcium and magnesium react with soap to form an insoluble film (soap scum) that stays on skin and hair. Chlorine and chloramine, added by every DMV utility for disinfection, are oxidizers that strip the skin's protective oils, and they are more concentrated in hot shower steam.
In the DMV specifically
Every major utility in the region uses either chloramine (Fairfax Water, Arlington, DC Water, Loudoun Water, Prince William Water, Virginia American) or free chlorine (WSSC Water, Howard County), on top of moderately hard water. Dermatologists in the area routinely ask eczema patients whether they have a softener.
What fixes it
Recommended
Soften the water
Removing hardness lets soap rinse clean instead of leaving a film. Skin feels slick, not squeaky, which is what clean skin actually feels like.
Also useful
Remove chlorine and chloramine at the main line
Catalytic carbon takes disinfectant out of every shower and bath, not just one showerhead.
Also useful
Give it two weeks
Skin and hair take a couple of wash cycles to shed the old mineral film. Most customers report a clear change within 7 to 14 days.
What does not work
- Showerhead filters (too little carbon at too high a flow; they are exhausted in weeks and do not soften)
- Switching soaps (the water is the variable)
- Pitcher filters (they do not reach the shower)
Related questions
Will soft water fix eczema?
It will not cure it, but removing hard minerals and chlorine takes away two common irritants. Many customers with eczema tell us the softener made a bigger difference than any lotion.
Why does my skin feel slippery with soft water?
That is the absence of soap scum. Your skin is clean and its natural oils are intact. It fades as you get used to it.