The Surprising Health Benefits of Using a Filtered Shower Head

Published July 29, 2025   |    Updated November 18, 2025

Photo by Clay Banks

Your daily shower affects your skin, hair, and even your lungs, in ways you maybe haven't considered yet.

As a physician who evaluates home products for health impacts, a filtered shower head is one of the simplest upgrades you can make for your health. I love that, because so much of health requires hard-earned effort, and a shower filter is such an easy win. I use one, and recommend them all the time.

However, what most articles, product round-ups, or blog posts about shower heads don't tell you is that not all shower filters actually work. The shower filter industry is full of unverified claims, and without proper certification, you have no way of knowing whether you're actually removing contaminants or just filtering your money down the drain. These product round-ups and blog posts often perpetuate ineffective filters based on aesthetics, subjective experience, or affiliate income potential.

Why Most Shower Filters Don't Actually Work (And How to Find One That Does)

Before we get into the benefits of shower filters, here is the deeper problem with the industry: there are no federal standards for consumer shower filters in the United States.

Unlike drinking water filters, which are heavily regulated, shower filter manufacturers can make almost any claim they want without proving it. I constantly see filters advertising that they remove:

• 99.9% of chlorine (I wonder, for how many gallons? 1 shower or 100 showers’ worth?)

• Heavy metals like lead and arsenic (this is basically impossible in hot shower conditions)

• 15 different contaminants (with a tiny filter with mystery filtration media inside?)

The only way to know if a shower filter actually works is third-party certification—independent lab testing by organizations like NSF International, IAPMO, or WQA. These labs verify that filters remove what they claim, for how long, and under actual shower conditions (high pressure, hot water, fast flow).

Most shower filters on the market have never been tested by an independent lab. They rely on you trusting their marketing. If you want a cute shower filter that matches your bathroom aesthetic, I think that’s just fine. I choose things for their looks over their health benefits sometimes! However, if you want to know exactly what your shower filter is doing, and rely on it for health reasons, it’s important you have good, correct information.

This is exactly why I created my shower filter guide—to do the certification verification work so you don't have to wade through all the misleading claims. It’s a lot!

What’s in Your Shower Water (and Why It Matters)

Municipal tap water is often treated with chlorine or chloramines (chlorine +ammonia) to kill bacteria and make it safe to drink. This is good, and is essential public health infrastructure—it prevents diseases like typhoid, cholera, and dysentery.

However, once that water reaches your shower, the chlorine has already done its job. What remains is residual disinfectant that can be harsh on your body.

The Health Impact of Chlorinated Shower Water

From a medical perspective, chlorine exposure in the shower affects your health in two main ways:

1. Direct skin and hair damage

Chlorine is essentially very diluted bleach. When it contacts your skin, it strips away the natural oils (your skin barrier) and disrupts your skin's pH balance. Dermatologists agree that chlorinated water can cause contact dermatitis—a type of eczema characterized by dry, irritated, inflamed skin.

For hair, chlorine weakens the protein structure of hair shafts, making them brittle and prone to breakage. Research shows that washing hair in chlorinated water causes strands to become thinner and more fragile compared to soft water.

2. Respiratory irritation from chlorine vapor

When you take a hot shower, chlorine vaporizes into the air. You're inhaling small amounts of chlorine gas in the steamy mist. Generally, this is not an issue in homes, and you would have more of a problem at public swimming pools, for example. Depending on your water supply, you may or may not be able to smell or detect chlorine.

But, for people with asthma or respiratory sensitivities, this can trigger coughing, throat irritation, or airway inflammation. Even if you don't have diagnosed respiratory issues, many people report that showering feels "easier" on their breathing after installing a chlorine-removing filter.

Hard Water: The Other Culprit

An estimated 85% of U.S. households have hard water—water high in dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium. While these minerals aren't harmful to drink, they can mess with your skin and hair.

Hard water prevents soap and shampoo from lathering properly and rinsing completely. This leaves a mineral film on your skin and hair that can:

• Clog pores (contributing to body acne)

• Make skin feel rough and tight

• Leave hair dull, weighed down, and straw-like

• Exacerbate eczema and other skin conditions

Research has even linked hard water exposure to higher rates of atopic dermatitis (eczema) in both infants and adults.

Important clarification: Standard shower filters remove chlorine very effectively, but they do NOT soften hard water. True water softening requires ion-exchange systems that are much larger than a typical shower filter. (There is one exception—the WaterSticks ShowerStick, which is specifically designed for hard water mineral removal. More on that in my full shower filter guide.) Other brands are over-exaggerating.

Photo by Clay Banks

The Health Benefits of Filtering Your Shower Water

Once you remove chlorine and other irritants from your shower water, the health benefits are typically immediate and noticeable.

Skin Benefits: Softer, Hydrated, Less Irritated Skin

One of the most dramatic changes people report after installing a shower filter is how much softer and less itchy their skin feels—often within just a few weeks.

Reduced dryness and irritation

By removing chlorine, you're preventing a daily challenge to your skin's moisture barrier. Your skin retains more of its natural oils, staying hydrated and supple instead of tight and flaky. Many people find they need less moisturizer after switching to filtered water.

If you've ever felt the uncomfortable tight, scaly feeling after a hot shower, a filter can be very helpful.

Fewer breakouts and clearer skin

By removing harsh minerals that cause inflammation, shower filters may also help calm conditions like eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis. Those with compromised skin barriers often see significant improvements with filtered water.

Preserved skin barrier and pH balance

Hard water's high mineral content raises the pH of your skin, weakening its protective acid mantle. This contributes to irritation, moisture loss, and increased susceptibility to eczema. If you’ve ever spent time looking for a lower pH facial cleanser so your skin barrier is bothered less, you understand this!

Filtered (softer) water is closer to your skin's natural slightly acidic pH, supporting barrier function. When your skin isn't battling mineral residue and chlorine every day, your skincare works more effectively.

Hair Benefits: Stronger, Shinier, Healthier Hair

If your hair has been feeling dry, brittle, or frizzy despite using good products, your shower water is likely part of the problem.

Less dryness and breakage

By removing chlorine, filtered water preserves your hair's natural sebum—the protective oil coating each strand. Your hair stays moisturized from the inside out. Filtering out calcium and magnesium prevents the buildup that makes hair feel straw-like.

Healthier, hydrated hair is less likely to split or break, so you may start to notice hair with fewer split ends after a few months of filtered showers. I personally noticed a reduction in how many flyaway hairs I had at the top of my head!

Improved shine and texture

Hard water minerals create a film on hair that makes it look dull and feel rough. This residue also prevents conditioner from penetrating properly.

Soft, filtered water leaves no residue—your hair's natural shine comes through, and your conditioning treatments actually work. Many people report bouncier, more manageable hair after switching to a shower filter.

Even salons recommend rinsing color-treated hair with filtered or distilled water to maintain vibrancy and prevent fading. Chlorine can alter hair color (think of blonde hair taking on a greenish tinge in pools)—a filter protects your investment in professional color.

Healthier scalp and better hair growth

Your scalp is skin, and it benefits from the same chlorine-free environment. Chlorine and other irritants can inflame the scalp, aggravating dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis.

Bonus benefit: With softer filtered water, you may need less shampoo and conditioner. Hard water makes it difficult to get a good lather, causing most people to over-use products. Filtered water lets your hair products work more efficiently, saving you money over time.

Respiratory Benefits: Breathe Easier with Less Chlorine in the Air

Again most people don’t have enough chlorine in their shower water to smell or have lung irritation, but some do.

And for people with asthma or other respiratory conditions, this can be genuinely life-changing. Some physicians specifically recommend chlorine-focused shower filters for patients with asthma or eczema because removing chlorine from shower water prevents triggering both skin and lung irritation.

Important note about chloramine: If your city or county water supply uses chloramine (a more stable form of chlorine) instead of regular chlorine, you need a filter specifically designed for chloramine removal or neutralization. These often use vitamin C, which is effective, though you’ll need to replace the filter more often because it gets “used up” quickly. (I would recommend the AquaYouth for this purpose— see my very detailed shower filter guide here.) Check your local water quality report to find out which disinfectant your water contains.

Other Health Benefits Worth Noting

Relief for Chronic Skin Conditions

If you or a family member has eczema, psoriasis, or rosacea, switching to a filtered shower can help manage flare-ups significantly. By removing the chlorine and minerals that aggravate compromised skin, you create a much gentler bathing environment.

Research suggests that communities with very hard water see higher rates of childhood eczema—a clear indication that softer, filtered water is kinder to sensitive skin.

A Cleaner, More Enjoyable Shower Experience

A more pleasant shower can genuinely improve your mood and reduce stress. Taking care of yourself feels good.

How to Choose a Shower Filter That Actually Works

Here's what you need to know about choosing an actually effective filter.

Look for Third-Party Certification

Most shower filters make claims they can't back up. The only way to verify performance is through certification from independent labs:

• NSF/ANSI 177: Verifies shower filter chlorine removal. This certification means the filter removes at least 50% of chlorine (many certified filters remove 80-95%) for a specific number of gallons at typical shower flow rates and temperatures. The test results should show how many gallons it does this for, and how low the % drops.

• IAPMO or WQA certification: Reputable third-party testing organizations that use standards similar to NSF.

If a shower filter isn't certified by one of these labs, you have no way to verify its claims are true.

Understand What Filters Can (and Can't) Remove

What quality shower filters remove effectively:

• Chlorine (80-95% with proper certification)

• Some chloramine (less effectively, and rarely certified)

• Sediment and particulates

• PFAS and microplastics (only one filter—Weddell Duo—is certified for this)

What shower filters CANNOT remove (despite marketing claims):

• Heavy metals like lead, arsenic, or mercury (impossible under shower conditions—high heat, high pressure, fast flow)

• Fluoride (doesn't absorb through skin anyway)

• True hard water minerals in meaningful amounts (requires ion-exchange softening systems)

Many filters claim they remove 15+ contaminants, but without certification, these are generally empty promises. The reality is that effective shower filtration is primarily about chlorine removal, with a few filters now tackling PFAS and microplastics.

Consider Filter Lifespan and Maintenance

Shower filter cartridges typically last 3-6 months, depending on:

• Filter capacity (measured in gallons, usually 5,000-25,000)

• How many people use the shower

• Your water quality

Mark your calendar to replace filters as recommended. An expired filter doesn't just become less effective—it can actually harbor bacteria and release contaminants back into your water.

My Recommendations: Certified Shower Filters That Actually Work

After evaluating dozens of shower filters based on third-party certification data and test results, here is my complete guide to the best shower filters.

The Bottom Line

A filtered shower head is a small upgrade with surprisingly significant health benefits. From preventing dry skin and brittle hair to reducing chlorine vapor inhalation, the advantages are both immediate and long-lasting.

But effectiveness depends entirely on choosing a filter that's actually been tested and certified. The shower filter industry is full of misleading claims, and without third-party verification, you're gambling with your health and your money.

This is exactly why I created my physician-reviewed shower filter guide—to cut through the marketing nonsense and show you which filters have been independently verified to work.

See my complete guide to certified shower filters here, where I break down the certification data, explain what each filter actually removes, and help you choose the right one for your specific water quality and health concerns.

Let me know if you have questions!

Sources

EPA: Basic Information about Chloramines and Drinking Water Disinfection