Do Shower Filters Work and Are They Worth It?

In our 2023 Water Quality Survey, we found that 91% of Americans filter tap water for drinking, but we often overlook the water coming from our shower. It’s estimated that more than 98% of US water systems disinfect water with chlorine, and this chemical can present issues when showering. You know how your hair and skin feel different after going in a pool? That’s because of the chlorine used to disinfect the pool, and when your tap water contains high levels of chlorine you may notice a similar effect after showering.

Some signs that might indicate you have too much chlorine in your water include:

• Skin and hair dryness
• Scalp and skin itchiness
• Hair with split ends and breakage
• Changes in hair color or appearance
• Worsening of skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis
• Coughing and shortness of breath

Chlorine strips your skin and hair of their natural oils, leading to dryness that’s associated with several issues. You may find that your skin appears red, itchy, or flaky with inflammation of skin conditions. Meanwhile, your hair can also dry out which results in more frequent split ends and breakage. Without moisture, your hair may also lose its shine and the chemical can even cause color fading. It’s also worth noting that when you shower at high temperatures, chlorine can vaporize and more easily be absorbed by your lungs resulting in coughing and shortness of breath.

If you’ve noticed any of these signs, the source may be the water you’re showering with and you’ll find more success filtering it rather than trying to counteract effects with other solutions like using more skin and hair products.

Shower filters offer several benefits that can make them worth the investment, such as:

When you shower, chlorine can strip away the natural oils essential for maintaining moisture, protecting, and nourishing both skin and hair. A shower filter reduces chlorine and helps preserve your natural oils to keep your skin and hair hydrated so they stay healthy. This can promote softer, moisturized skin and stronger, more lustrous hair.

When chlorine strips hair and skin of natural oils, you may initially turn to additional or better quality products to counteract the damage. However, a shower filter can be more cost-effective because it enhances the effectiveness of your current products so you can achieve better effects while using less. Furthermore, you may also save money by extending the time between salon visits for color touch-ups or trims to address split ends.

You may be surprised to discover that a shower filter helps more than your skin and hair, it can also provide benefits for your respiratory health. Chlorine from tap water can evaporate into the air during a hot shower. Unfortunately, too much chlorine exposure can irritate the walls of the respiratory system, potentially leading to unpleasant complications to your breathing. Initially, this may cause you to cough at a higher rate or have shortness of breath, but high amounts of chlorine fume accumulation can lead to asthma and bronchitis. A shower filter reduces the presence of chlorine and improves your air quality, so you don’t need to sacrifice your steamy showers.

It's no secret that your shower can be a prime breeding ground for bacteria, mold, and other germs. The warm, humid conditions combined with limited airflow create the perfect environment for microbial growth. The showerhead, in particular, can harbor mold, making it difficult to wash away with regular tap water. Installing a shower filter can help safeguard you from these harmful irritants by prohibiting growth and adding an extra layer of protection before water disperses from the showerhead.