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Last updated: June 16, 2026<\/p>\n
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If your skin feels tight after a shower, your hair seems dull no matter what products you use, or your scalp itches more than it should, your city water may be part of the problem.<\/p>\n
Chlorine is added to municipal water supplies to kill bacteria and keep water safe as it travels through miles of pipes to your home. That’s a good thing. But by the time it reaches your showerhead, that same chlorine can affect your skin and hair in ways that are easy to mistake for a product issue, a diet issue, or just aging.<\/p>\n
In summer, the problem gets worse. Hot showers open pores and soften hair cuticles, making both more susceptible to chlorine absorption. And if your city uses chloramine \u2014 a longer-lasting disinfectant increasingly common in municipal water \u2014 the effects are slower to notice but more persistent than free chlorine.<\/p>\n
Here’s what the research says, what to look for, and what actually helps. For a broader look at how chlorine affects skin beyond the shower, see our comprehensive guide to chlorine skin effects<\/a>.<\/p>\n Municipal water systems add chlorine or chloramine to disinfect drinking water and prevent bacterial growth in the distribution system. This is tightly regulated and essential for public health \u2014 without disinfection, waterborne illness would be far more common.<\/p>\n The EPA sets a maximum residual disinfectant level of 4 milligrams per liter for chlorine in tap water, which is considered safe for drinking. But safe to drink and ideal for daily skin and hair contact are two different things \u2014 especially when you factor in hot showers, where chlorine vaporizes and can be inhaled as well as absorbed through the skin.<\/p>\n Many cities have shifted from free chlorine to chloramine (a combination of chlorine and ammonia) because it lasts longer in the distribution system and produces fewer disinfection byproducts in drinking water. For skin and hair, however, chloramine presents its own challenges. Unlike free chlorine, chloramine does not evaporate out of water on its own \u2014 and research published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that chloramine exposure is associated with increased skin permeability, meaning it actually makes your skin less effective at keeping irritants out.<\/p>\n If you’re not sure whether your city uses chlorine or chloramine, check your annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). Our WQA certified specialists can also help you read it. Learn how to read your city water quality report here.<\/a><\/p>\n For a full overview of chlorine in city water and how to remove it, see our dedicated guide: What You Should Know About Chlorine in City Water.<\/a><\/p>\n Your skin has a natural protective barrier made up of oils and beneficial bacteria. Chlorine is an oxidizer \u2014 it doesn’t discriminate between the bacteria in your pipes and the protective oils on your skin. Daily shower exposure strips those oils, which leads to a cascade of effects most people attribute to other causes.<\/p>\n When hard water minerals are present alongside chlorine, the effects compound \u2014 minerals deposit on skin reducing moisture absorption while chlorine strips the oils that would otherwise protect against that buildup. Read more about the combined effects of chlorine and hard water on skin.<\/a><\/p>\n Hot showers open your pores, increasing the rate at which skin absorbs chlorine. Steam also vaporizes chlorine and its byproducts \u2014 including trihalomethanes (THMs), some of which are classified as potential carcinogens \u2014 creating inhalation exposure in an enclosed shower or bath. In summer, when people shower more frequently, the cumulative daily exposure adds up faster.<\/p>\n Hair is made of keratin proteins covered by a cuticle layer that, when healthy, lies flat and reflects light \u2014 which is why healthy hair looks shiny. Chlorine oxidizes keratin and roughens the cuticle, producing the dullness, frizz, and breakage that most people attribute to heat styling, product buildup, or hard water minerals.<\/p>\n If you’re also dealing with hard water, the combination of minerals and chlorine is particularly hard on hair. See our guide on carbon filters vs. water softeners for dry hair<\/a> to understand which solution fits your situation.<\/p>\n The tricky part is that chlorine damage accumulates gradually. Most people don’t notice it until they travel somewhere with different water \u2014 or install a filter \u2014 and realize how different their skin and hair feel within a week or two. While a shower filter could be a quick fix for a rental, whole house water filters offer stronger and longer lasting water filtration for homeowners.<\/p>\n Here are some signs city water chlorine may be a contributing factor:<\/p>\n
\nWhat Is Chlorine Doing in Your City Water?<\/h2>\n
Chlorine vs. chloramine \u2014 what’s the difference?<\/h3>\n
\nWhat Chlorine Does to Your Skin<\/h2>\n
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Why summer makes it worse<\/h3>\n
\nWhat Chlorine Does to Your Hair<\/h2>\n
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\nHow Do You Know If City Water Is Affecting Your Skin or Hair?<\/h2>\n
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