Does Water Quality Impact Skin Health?

As it turns out, the water in your home or pool could be contributing to skin problems like acne, eczema, and dryness without you even realizing it. Factors like hard water, chlorine, and even bacteria or pollutants can compromise your skin’s natural barrier, leading to irritated, inflamed skin.

How To Tell If Your Water Quality Is Affecting The Health of Your Skin

If you’re noticing changes in your skin, such as dryness, irritation, or eczema flare-ups, it might be worth considering the quality of your water. Here are some key indicators that poor water quality could be affecting your skin:

Persistent Dryness: Skin that feels tight, dry, or flaky after a bath or shower may be a sign that the water is removing your skin’s natural oils.
Eczema Flare-Ups: Exposure to hard water or chlorinated water can aggravate eczema symptoms.
Acne Breakouts: If breakouts are worsening, even while maintaining your usual routine, your water quality may be to blame.
Rashes and Irritation: Rashes or irritation that appear after swimming or bathing may indicate exposure to microbial contamination or harmful chemicals in the water. Consistent irritation of this nature suggests that your water quality may require testing.

How Do Different Types Of Water Contaminants Affect Skin Health?

From bathing to simply washing your hands, here’s what you need to know about water contaminants and how they contribute to various skin concerns.

Hard Water

It’s estimated that about 85% of U.S. homes have “hard” tap water with a high mineral content, primarily calcium and magnesium. Although it’s typically considered safe to drink, hard water can cause skin problems, particularly for those with sensitive skin or existing conditions like eczema.[1]

While these minerals may not directly react with your skin, they can interact with the products you use. Specifically, calcium and magnesium can bind to surfactants, the active ingredients in soaps that wash away grease and oils. When hard water and these surfactants interact, they cause the surfactants to become insoluble in water and precipitate onto the skin. This buildup can draw out the skin's natural oils, leading to a loss of skin hydration.[2] Additionally, because the skin cannot be properly cleaned, it can clog pores and contribute to the development of acne.[2]

What's more, hard water is typically alkaline, in contrast to the slightly acidic pH of the skin. This, when combined with the residue caused by the hard water, can disrupt the skin's microbiome, making skin more prone to irritation and harmful bacterial growth.[2]

All of this can trigger or worsen skin conditions such as eczema or dermatitis.

Chlorine & Water Disinfectants

Almost all water supplies and most pools use chlorine and other chemical disinfectants to prevent bacteria and other pathogens from growing. Unfortunately, for those with sensitive skin, chlorine is a chemical oxidant that strips the skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness and irritation. Even at low concentrations, such as those found in tap water, chlorine can reduce the skin’s ability to retain moisture, particularly for individuals with skin conditions like dermatitis. Pool water with higher chlorine levels tends to dry the skin out even more.[3]

Dryness is not the only concern, however. Some people develop an itchy, red rash or hives after coming into contact with chlorinated water. Allergists clarify that this isn’t a true allergy to chlorine, but rather an irritant contact dermatitis, essentially a chemical irritation or burn caused by chlorine exposure.[4]

Interestingly, diluted bleach baths are considered a therapeutic option for eczema, aiming to reduce the skin's bacterial load. The low concentrations of chlorine can be therapeutic by killing common bacterial strains that infect and worsen eczema lesions; however, higher concentrations or prolonged contact can irritate and further break down the skin barrier.[5]

Due to the potential for irritation, it is recommended that you consult a dermatologist to determine if this product is suitable for your skin. Experts also advise eczema-prone individuals to rinse off immediately after swimming, moisturize thoroughly, and apply barrier creams before swimming to mitigate the harsh effects of chlorine.

Bacteria

The bacterial content of the water you use can seriously impact your skin's microbiome by introducing potentially harmful strains. Here are some of the different ways that bacteria and fungi can exacerbate skin conditions:

Bacterial Infections: One common infection caused by contaminated water is Pseudomonas folliculitis, also known as “hot tub rash.” This occurs when bacteria grow in warm, inadequately chlorinated water, such as poorly maintained hot tubs or pools. If contaminated water lingers on the skin, it can infect hair follicles and worsen existing skin conditions.[6]
Fungal Infections: Fungi, such as those responsible for ringworm, thrive in moist environments. While they are more commonly spread person-to-person, unclean water can potentially transfer fungal spores to the skin and aggravate conditions like seborrheic dermatitis.[7]
Acne-Causing Microbes: A common question is whether washing in bacteria-contaminated water can cause acne. Acne is primarily driven by Cutibacterium a. (a bacterium already present on our skin), hormones, and pores clogged by oil and dead skin cells. However, dirty water may worsen acne by causing other irritations or infections that mimic acne. Additionally, this water may introduce harmful bacteria into the skin that outcompete the helpful bacteria that keep Cutibacterium a. in check.[8]

Polluted Water

“General pollution” in water refers to various chemical contaminants that can end up in the water supply, such as pesticides and herbicides from agricultural runoff, industrial chemicals, or disinfection byproducts from water treatment. Due to the variety of potential irritants, it's impossible to cover every possible way they may impact the health of your skin. If you're concerned that your skin conditions may be linked to poor water quality, here are some resources to help you check local water quality:

Key Takeaways

Water quality can impact skin health by introducing irritants that disrupt the skin’s natural barrier and contribute to conditions like acne and eczema.
The minerals in hard water can interact with soaps, leaving residues that dry out the skin and contribute to skin irritation and acne.
Exposure to chlorine can lead to dry skin, rashes, and dermatitis, especially for individuals with sensitive skin or skin conditions.
Bacteria in contaminated water can lead to infections like hot tub rash and worsen skin conditions by disrupting the natural balance of skin bacteria.
Exposure to polluted water may aggravate existing skin conditions and expose the skin to harmful chemicals that interfere with its health.

References

Last Updated June 06, 2025

Reviewed by

Alessandra Zonari

PhD, Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) and Co-Founder of OneSkin

Alessandra earned her Master’s degree in stem cell biology, and her PhD in skin regeneration and tissue engineering at the Federal University of Minas Gerais in Brazil in collaboration with the 3B’s Research Group in Portugal. Alessandra did a second post-doctoral at the University of Coimbra in Portugal. She is a co-inventor of three patents and has published 20 peer-reviewed papers in scientific journals.

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