Adobe Stock Save Story Save this story Save Story Save this story We treat viral products with a healthy dose of skepticism, but some experts say the best showerhead filters can actually make a meaningful difference in your routine. Why? It’s not uncommon for your local water supply to contain rust, sediment, chlorine, or an excess of minerals like calcium and magnesium. While these so-called contaminants don’t make the water dangerous to drink, they can make it harder (hence the term “hard water”) on your skin and hair, explains Omer Ibrahim , MD, a Chicago-based board-certified dermatologist. Over time, they can contribute to dullness, dryness, irritation, and itchiness. People with sensitive or extra dry skin, eczema , or rosacea may feel these effects more acutely, says Debra Luftman , MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in California.
Installing a showerhead filter, many of which use materials like activated carbon and calcium sulfite to remove contaminants from water, can alleviate some of those issues. “Patients sometimes report that their skin feels less tight and their hair appears softer after switching to a quality filter,” says Dara Spearman , MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
How does hard water affect my skin and hair? How does a filtered showerhead benefit my skin and hair? Are there any shower water filters that actually work? What are the disadvantages of shower filters? Meet the experts How we test and review products Our staff and testers Pause for the aforementioned skepticism: The science on the efficacy of showerhead filters is still limited, and your results will largely depend on the content of your area’s water supply , but showerhead filters can potentially help alleviate dry skin and brittle hair—all while making your “everything showers” feel a little more special. Below, we tapped experts and editors to share which filtered showerheads are worth trying.
Why we love it: With its comprehensive filter and intentional design, Jolie’s Filtered Showerhead is well worth the investment and hype, according to Dr. Ibrahim. “While this one is on the pricier side, it is a full filter system with an aesthetically pleasing showerhead,” he says. (It comes in four chic colors, a.k.a. no eyesores here.) Setup is easy-breezy, too: Remove your existing showerhead and screw on the Jolie in its place. You should be able to remove and replace the showerheads by hand, but the included wrench comes in handy if you need to loosen or tighten any pipe threads along the way (and the included plumber’s tape can further seal off the pipe connections to prevent leaks). Once it’s in place, the filter will improve your water quality and keep the water pressure strong.
Plus, Dr. Spearman appreciates the brand’s transparency around its filtration system. Jolie utilizes KDF-55 (a type of copper-zinc alloy filter) and calcium sulfite to minimize levels of chlorine, heavy metals, and minerals in your shower water for up to 90 days. After that, you can just swap in a new filter for $38 a pop—or opt for a subscription on Jolie’s website that brings the cost to $35 per filter.
Type of filter: KDF-55, calcium sulfite Notable features: easy, universal installation Set includes: showerhead, replacement filter, wrench, plumber’s tape How long it lasts: 3 months Best Bathtub Filter: Canopy Baby Bath Tub Filter Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Canopy
Why we love it: Whether you’re gearing up for tub time with your l…