Signs of hard water include dry, flaky skin, dull or lifeless hair, and mineral deposits on your shower head or faucets. You can check your local water hardness by entering your postcode in our water quality tool.

You may feel dryness or irritation after showering, or notice a chlorine smell. For exact levels, check your local water quality report using our tool or use an at-home water testing kit.

The clearest evidence comes from high-exposure settings like swimming pools rather than ordinary tap water, so it's worth being precise.

In pools, chlorine and its by-products are recognised skin, eye and respiratory irritants (Kanikowska et al., 2018), and in atopic (allergy-prone) people pool attendance has been linked to more eczema (Chaumont et al., 2012). In one controlled comparison, swimmers showed a significantly greater rise in transepidermal water loss, a marker of barrier disruption, than footballers (Paciência et al., 2021). That said, reviews of pool water and the skin barrier find the overall evidence mixed (O'Connor et al., 2023), and for everyday tap-water chlorine the independent effect on eczema is uncertain (Perkin et al., 2016).

If your skin reacts to chlorine, reducing your exposure may help. Our shower filters significantly reduce free chlorine at the showerhead, verified in independent SGS testing (reduction is highest with a fresh cartridge and tapers as it nears the end of its life, which is why we recommend replacing it on schedule). This is a cosmetic measure to make shower water gentler, not a treatment for eczema or any condition. For diagnosed skin conditions, please speak to your GP or dermatologist.

We frame this carefully, because the evidence is precautionary rather than proven at tap-water levels.

Metals such as copper and lead can penetrate and accumulate in the skin (Franken et al., 2015), and several metals are recognised skin sensitisers and irritants (Chamani et al., 2023) — though that evidence comes mainly from jewellery and occupational contact, not drinking or shower water. Copper has also been shown to worsen UV damage to hair (Marsh et al., 2014, industry-funded). It is not established that metals at ordinary tap-water levels damage skin, so we won't claim that they do.

As a sensible precaution, the KDF (copper-zinc) media in our filters is an established redox technology that helps reduce certain dissolved heavy metals such as lead and mercury. Separately, the media itself is RoHS-tested and verified free from heavy metals (lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium), so it doesn't add any to your water. This is a cosmetic, not a medical, benefit; for any skin condition please see your GP or dermatologist.

They can play a part, but neither is a proven cause of acne on its own.

The likely link is the skin barrier and what's left behind on it. Hard water increases how much irritant cleanser residue stays on the skin after washing, and this is more pronounced in sensitive, eczema-prone skin (Danby et al., 2018). A higher residue load plus a more alkaline, slightly compromised barrier can leave skin feeling tight, rough or reactive, which some people experience as congestion or breakouts. Chlorine can add to that by drying and irritating the skin barrier, with the clearest evidence again coming from high-exposure pool settings rather than tap water (Paciência et al., 2021; Kanikowska et al., 2018).

None of this proves that hard water or chlorine causes acne, and our filters are a gentle cosmetic step rather than an acne treatment. If you have persistent or painful breakouts, please see your GP or a dermatologist.

Our consultant dermatologist Dr Sonia explains it like this:

"Hard water can increase skin pH, making it more alkaline. The skin barrier functions best at a slightly acidic pH (~5.5). A higher pH weakens the skin's defence mechanisms. Therefore, prolonged exposure to hard water can result in a compromised skin barrier, making it more susceptible to various skin issues. This can result in a flare up of eczema and psoriasis and even result in heightened skin sensitivity."

The wider research points the same way. The seminal Lancet study of around 7,640 schoolchildren found eczema in 17.3% of those in the hardest-water areas versus 12.0% in the softest (McNally et al., 1998), and a study of 1,303 UK infants found higher odds of visible eczema in hard-water homes (Perkin et al., 2016). A systematic review pooling seven studies (around 385,901 people) reached the same association (Jabbar-Lopez et al., 2021). One mechanism is that hard water increases how much irritant cleanser residue (such as SLS) is left on the skin, an effect that's worse in eczema-prone skin (Danby et al., 2018).

In the interest of honesty: a randomised controlled trial found that fitting a whole-house water softener did not improve eczema that people already had (Thomas et al., 2011). So our products are a cosmetic step to make shower water gentler on the skin barrier, not a medical treatment. If you have eczema, psoriasis or persistent skin concerns, please see your GP or a dermatologist.

Hard water contains minerals, mainly calcium and magnesium, and sometimes trace metals like iron or copper. These minerals prevent soap from dissolving properly, which leaves behind a residue on the skin and hair, as well as directly impacting skin and hair health.

Yes, our Hello Klean Filtration range is compatible with electric heaters and can be installed without issue. However, because different heaters have varying flow requirements, we recommend checking with your heater's supplier or manufacturer beforehand to ensure optimal performance. This way, you can be sure everything works smoothly together.

Not in the way a water softener does, and we want to be honest about that. A water softener removes the calcium and magnesium that make water hard, usually for your whole home. Our filter does not remove those hardness minerals, so your water's hardness number does not change.

What it does is significantly reduce free chlorine right at your shower (over 96% on a fresh cartridge in independent SGS testing, tapering as the cartridge is used up), and chlorine is a major contributor to the dryness, tightness and irritation many people blame on hard water. So the hardness stays the same, but the water can feel noticeably gentler on skin and hair. For limescale on tiles and taps you'd need a softener; for calmer skin and softer-feeling hair in the shower, a filter is the renter-friendly option.

Purifying Shower Head fits on handheld showers. If you have an electric heater, please check with your plumber prior to purchase.

Our Shower Filter fits under the tap.

See our fitting guide here.

Our Smart Refill Plan takes the hassle out of remembering when to change your filter. You’ll get fresh capsules delivered every 3 months to ensure impurities don’t creep back in and disrupt your routine.

You can cancel and change delivery time at any time in your account.

The new shower head is a significant upgrade. It offers advanced filtration, reducing chlorine and targeting a broader range of impurities. The capsule change system has also been improved, making the refill process quick and mess-free, ensuring a seamless experience with minimal effort. Additionally, the new model is built to handle higher water pressure while reducing leakage, providing a more efficient shower experience. With enhanced pressure absorption, it delivers a stronger, more consistent water flow, which the older version lacks.