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Understanding the Science Behind Hard Water's Impact

Hard Water and Eczema Risk:

Children in elementary/primary school exposed to hard water may experience a 43% increased risk of eczema.

A meta-analysis showed increased odds of atopic eczema in children exposed to harder water.

Living in a hard water area is associated with an increased risk of atopic dermatitis (AD).

One study noted a statistically significant increased risk of atopic eczema in primary school-aged children exposed to hard water (OR 1.43; 95% CI 1.09, 1.87).

Hard water may contribute to the development of atopic eczema in early life.

Hard Water, Skin Barrier Function, and TEWL:

People with eczema and a specific gene mutation (FLG) experience almost double the skin dryness after washing with harsh soaps in hard water.

Atopic Dermatitis (AD) patients with a filaggrin (FLG) mutation showed a 94% greater increase in TEWL after being washed with sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) in hard water.

Hard water can reduce skin barrier function, regardless of chlorine levels.

The increase in TEWL correlates with the amount of SLS deposited on the skin.

Water softening mitigates the negative effect of hard water on skin barrier function.

Hard Water and Surfactant Deposition:

Hard water can cause almost three times as much soap (SLS) to stick to your skin.

Hard water is associated with 2.8 ± 0.6-fold greater SLS deposition on the skin compared to deionized water.

High calcium levels in hard water reduce the solubility of surfactants, increasing their deposition on the skin.

Hard water increases skin exposure to harmful surfactants.

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Understanding the Science Behind Hard Water's Impact

Hard Water and Eczema Risk:

Hard Water, Skin Barrier Function, and TEWL:

Hard Water and Surfactant Deposition: