There’s no watering down these hard facts.
Most health-conscious folks aim to upkeep their hair, faces and all-over skin with the finest of care regimens. However, it seems that even the best beauty routine is no match for the icky elements flowing out of our faucets and shower heads.
But, surprisingly, New Yorkers need not fear — not too much, at least.
“Whether it’s for cleansing our face, showering, drinking or laundry, the water quality from our taps can vary significantly based on our location,” said study authors from Clarins, a premium cosmetics company. “Various contaminants present in tap water could have adverse effects on the health of our skin and hair.”
The luxe label, alongside the Environmental Working Group, recently conducted a comprehensive analysis of contaminant levels in water across US capital cities.
Researchers identified which states have the highest water quality based on arsenic, chlorate, nitrate, fluoride and lead quantities.
The team, too, considered turbidity — the level of sediment, plankton or organic by-products in a body of water — as well as water hardness.
To much surprise, Albany, New York ranked as the fourth-highest capital city with the best water quality for skin health. NY native Adam Sandler’s “Waterboy” would be proud.
The Empire State’s H2O does contain relatively high levels of nitrate, which can reduce the ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body. It also bears an abundance of fluoride, which can cause tooth discoloration and bone issues. However, its minor levels of arsenic and chlorate make the water top tier, per the findings.
“Long-term exposure to water with high levels of arsenic can cause havoc to our skin,” said the cosmetics experts. “This can include pigmentation changes and skin lesions such as blisters, rashes and acne.”
Chlorate does destroy the dermis, too.
“[It] can strip away natural oils from the skin, potentially promoting premature aging,” said Clarins. “Washing your skin with chlorinated water may disrupt the natural skin flora, leading to skin conditions like acne.”
“Prolonged exposure to this chemical can also result in skin irritations and itching.”
New York trails behind Providence, Rhodes Island, which secured the No. 1 spot on the list.
The big brother of the Big Apple, too, landed in the top 10 states with the softest water.
According to Clarins, hard water refers to water with a higher concentration of dissolved minerals such as calcium and magnesium ions, as well as other metals like aluminum, barium, iron, strontium, zinc and manganese.
“You can identify hard water by the chalky residue it leaves behind on surfaces like your shower and sinks,” said the pros.
Prolonged exposure to the hard stuff could cause dry skin, eczema and early-onset sights of aging.
But soft water, per the report, tends to have a lower level of calcium and magnesium, but a higher concentration of sodium.
New Jersey’s drip, however, dropped to the bottom of the list.
The Garden State’s capitol, Trenton, was deemed the fifth-worst city for high-quality water, owing to its eyebrow-raising levels of arsenic.
Data from Clarins comes just after a report from the Centers for Disease Control revealed that 214 recent disease outbreaks — caused by pathogens including E. coli, campylobacter or shigella — and more than 2,000 illnesses were associated with drinking water, 80% of which were linked to public water systems.
It, too, echoes warnings from the federal Environmental Protection Agency.
In February, it determined that 70 million Americans are drinking tap water contaminated with “forever chemicals” linked to cancer, reproductive issues and immune system damage. The most contaminated water systems were found in New York, New Jersey, as well as parts of California and Texas.
But Clairns assures that there’s hope for our hair and skin.
Here are the imprint’s top tips for winning the fight against aqua.
Rehydration and re-balancing are key
Hard water, characterized by high levels of calcium, struggles to dissolve soap completely, often leaving residue on the skin. This residue can exacerbate sensitivity, irritation, and blemishes.
Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize
In addition to disrupting the delicate skin barrier, hard water depletes the skin’s moisture, leading to dry, flaky, and itchy skin with regular use. It’s crucial to moisturize your skin after each cleanse and shower to seal in moisture. Moisturizing while the skin is still damp interrupts the process of minerals from hard water settling on the skin, aiding in restoring the skin barrier.
Be gentle on your skin
Since hard water can exacerbate skin conditions like eczema and acne, it’s essential to treat your skin gently. Instead of vigorously rubbing your face and body dry, opt for gentle blotting of the skin. Additionally, avoid using water that is too hot, as this can further dry and irritate your skin.
Avoid cleansing with thick, heavy soaps
As previously mentioned, hard water struggles to dissolve soap completely, leaving residue on the skin after cleansing. If you already have skin issues, using basic soap can lead to significant irritation, exacerbating the problem. Instead, consider incorporating water-based cleansers into your hard water skincare routine. These cleansers do not leave behind the same residue as soap does with hard water and rinse away more easily, promoting healthier skin.
Use an anti-aging serum
The minerals present in hard water can generate free radicals, notorious for breaking down collagen, crucial for maintaining skin firmness. Prolonged exposure to hard water may accelerate premature aging, leading to sagging skin and the development of fine lines and wrinkles. Consider incorporating an anti-aging serum into your skincare regime.
