Hard Water Can Wreak Havoc on Your Hair, But These 18 Products Play Defense

Have you ever noticed your hair looks and feels different depending on where you shower, even if you use the same shampoo and conditioner? Maybe you're like me, and you're used to your hair feeling soft and silky, but when you shower at your boyfriend's house, it suddenly feels rough and dry. It's because of the type of water you're working with—soft or hard. 

Somewhat surprisingly, the water you're showering in can impact your hair. And if you're not using the right products (shampoo and conditioner, specifically), it can lead to dryness, roughness, residue, and even breakage. Keep scrolling to learn all about soft vs. hard water and shop the 18 best products that play defense. 

What's the Difference Between Soft and Hard Water?

The terms are somewhat misleading, but the difference between soft and hard water is mineral content. Take it from dermatologist Azadeh Shirazi, MD, who owns AziMD and hosts the More Than A Pretty Face podcast. "Hard water passes through the soil where it accumulates minerals like calcium, chloride, and magnesium, which can increase transepidermal water loss, leaving the hair and skin dry and causing more buildup and residue," she says. "Soft water, on the other hand, contains lower levels of calcium and/or magnesium."

So, how can you tell whether you have soft or hard water? According to Iris Rubin, MD, Dermatologist and Founder of SEEN Skin & Hair Care, the trick is to look to the lather (or lack thereof). "In terms of skin and hair products, hard water can affect soap and detergent performance, leading to reduced lather and making complete rinsing more difficult," she says. "Soft water enhances soap and detergent effectiveness, resulting in better lathering and easier rinsing." 

How Can Hard Water Affect the Hair?

Shirazi says hard water can make hair feel crunchy. "These minerals from hard water penetrate and crystallize in hair strands forming a crispy cast, interfering with hydration," she says. That explains why my hair felt drier and more prone to breakage and tangles whenever I was at my boyfriend's house; he had hard water, whereas I had soft water. It all makes sense. 

As if that's not enough, Shirazi says the minerals in hard water can interfere with shampoo and conditioner, leading to an icky residue. "Depending on the concentration of these minerals, hard water can also prevent dirt, grime, or even ingredients in your shampoo or conditioner from dissolving completely, making it harder to wash out," she says. "So, long term, the buildup can take a toll on the hair leading to breakage." 

People with more porous hair textures or color-treated hair will be more prone to the effects of hard water. According to Howard McLaren, co-founder and creative director of R+Co, it can lead to color fading, which is why color-protecting shampoos and conditioners are vital. Sigh. 

What Shampoo & Conditioner Ingredients Can Help?

According to Dermatologist Brendan Camp, MD, there are certain ingredients that can "chelate" or bind to minerals in hard water and prevent them from binding to the hair and skin. These include vitamin C, apple cider vinegar, charcoal, and EDTA (the latter is used as a chelating agent). 

Shirazi agrees, saying clarifying shampoos usually include these chelating ingredients to keep the effects of hard water at bay. "It's best to use clarifying shampoos twice monthly and not too often as they can also contribute to dryness," she says. "Apple cider vinegar is another common ingredient that helps remove residue to use as a DIY solution, but again you want to be cautious of not overusing it."

As for ingredients to avoid, Shirazi cautions against using shampoo and conditioners that contain sulfates, as they can be drying, and when you're working with hard water, you want to maximize hydration.

What We Looked For

Finding the best shampoos and conditioners for hard water is tough but not impossible. First and foremost, we wanted expert recommendations. After all, dermatologists and hairstylists are the most knowledgeable on this topic as they deal with it almost daily. We started by asking each expert to provide their top picks. 

From there, we consulted online reviews and ratings to determine which shampoos and conditioners were really the best. Ideally, these formulas would cleanse the hair without stripping it of moisture, protect against the effects of hard water, and provide other benefits as well. So, yeah, we had some high standards.

Best Overall: Malibu C Hard Water Wellness Shampoo

Remember those chelating agents we talked about earlier? Camp recommends this shampoo because it uses vitamin C and EDTA to "help revive the health and vibrancy of hair exposed to hard water." It cleanses the hair while removing mineral buildup so no residue is left behind. 

Promising review: "Our hard water made my hair so sticky that it felt like I was washing my hair in pool water every day. Brushing it right after a shower always left this disgusting residue on my hands, and overall, I felt gross and wanted to light my head on fire. I regret not buying this product sooner. [...] my hair finally feels squeaky clean and incredibly smooth, and I can't stop running my fingers through it. I am obsessed! A must-have from now on." — Amazon customer

OUAI Detox Shampoo

Camp recommends this shampoo for hard water because "apple cider vinegar and chelating agents allow this shampoo to effectively clear away oil, dirt, and residue." Yet, thanks to hydrolyzed keratin, it also keeps hair soft and smooth. 

Promising review: "I use this around once or twice a week to prevent my hair from having a buildup of product and to mitigate the issue of hard water in my shower. Since I've started using it, my dry scalp issues have lessened significantly. Coincidence? I think not!" — Sephora customer

Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo & Conditioner

Camp's third and final recommendation is for a drugstore shampoo and conditioner duo that contains apple cider vinegar to remove build-up and protect against hard water damage. 

Promising review: "I have thin, fine, oily, and annoying hair, and this works really well and makes my hair light and shiny. It smells nice too." — Amazon customer

R+Co TEACUP Peacholine + Kombucha Detox Rinse

McLaren recommends this product, which he says is specially designed to combat the negative effects of hard water and should be used as a rinse (meaning after shampoo and conditioner). "Kombucha draws out metals and minerals from water, peach extract removes pollutants, and citric acid has a chelating effect and balances pH for the hair," he says. "TEACUP detoxifies, protects hair from color fading, smooths strands, strengthens, and adds shine to the hair. Clinical studies show 71% calcium, 67% magnesium, and 37% lead removal from hard water based on hair fibers before and after treating the hair with TEACUP. It also helps remove and protect from environmental pollutants."

Promising review: "I have baby fine, baby-lighted hair with serious hard water. I've tried every clarifying shampoo and detox treatment under the sun. If it gets the buildup out, it strips my toner and dulls my hair. I almost gave up, and [am] so glad I didn't. [...] MY COLOR LOOKS INCREDIBLE! There is a softness and fullness that my hair never has at home." — Dermstore customer 

Oribe The Cleanse Clarifying Shampoo

Shirazi likes this shampoo because it "does a nice job of cleansing the hair and scalp without over stripping the natural oils. It helps enhance the hair's natural shine and is suitable for all hair types. " 

Promising review: "The best clarifying shampoo out there, and I've tried them all. Squeaky clean without feeling like frizzy hair. My holy grail clarifier." — Sephora customer

R+Co Lost Treasure Apple Cider Vinegar Cleansing Rinse & Conditioning Rinse 

McLaren also recommends this clarifying rinse, which uses apple cider vinegar to clean the scalp and strands, remove product build-up, and maintain proper pH balance. "It also provides hydration and nourishment, strengthens the hair, soothes the scalp, and provides incredible shine," he says. 

Promising review: "Super effective. I was kind of amazed at how clean and soft my scalp felt after using this. I wasn't expecting to notice such a change." — Amazon customer

The conditioner uses apple cider vinegar with almond and turmeric plant milk, mushrooms, and biotin to keep hair healthy, strong, and hydrated. 

Promising review: "Amazing conditioner. Leaves hair soft and silky without weighing it down. Allows natural texture to come through. Smells nice." — Amazon customer

SEEN Shampoo & Conditioner

"If you know you have hard water, it's important to look for hydrating ingredients that provide extra moisture and help lock it in without weighing the hair down," Rubin says. "SEEN Shampoo and Conditioner are formulated with a naturally-derived alternative to silicone called hemisqualane (plant-derived c13-15 alkane), which reduces frizz and enhances hair smoothness while providing color and heat protection." 

Promising review: "Finally, a shampoo that doesn't leave me greasy and filmy with chemicals. [I] love the fresh smell. It lathers more than any other sulfate-free shampoo I have used." — Ulta customer

This is the accompanying conditioner, although if your hair needs even deeper moisture, Rubin recommends the SEEN Deeper Conditioner ($28). It optimizes hydration without causing clogged pores or skin irritation like so many other deep conditioners do. 

Promising review: This is the ONLY conditioner I have found that does not cause body acne or spores along my hairline. It leaves my long hair de-tangled, soft and doesn't weigh it down. I leave it on for a few minutes to let it work, [and] then it rinses well." — Ulta customer

Beauty Pie Super Healthy Hair Detox Wash Shampoo

This shampoo boasts it's salon-strength, meaning it cuts through build-up easily and effectively thanks to apple cider vinegar and activated charcoal. It also includes peptides and amino acids to keep the hair cuticle smooth and shiny.

Promising review: "[I] thought I'd try this as my hair was feeling a bit oily and gunky. This did the trick! [It] made my hair feel so clean and healthy, and it smells amazing. I've been using it once a week and genuinely think it [has] made a difference to my hair. Once again, another fab product from Beauty Pie." — Beauty Pie customer 

R+Co Gemstone Color Shampoo & Conditioner

If color-fading is your worst fear (we don't blame you), McLaren recommends you reach for this shampoo and conditioner. It "provides hydration, shine, and protection for color-treated hair, and contains Chromohance, which is proven to lock in color for up to 10 washes, making it perfect for those that are worried about the color-fading effects hard water can have on the hair," McLaren says.

Promising review: "The Gemstone shampoo doesn't fall short on my list. [It] leaves my hair vibrant, extends my color, and really makes it clean! Love the natural ingredients." — Dermstore customer

While color protection is the most important thing about this conditioner, I must mention the smell—it's incredible. It has notes of citrus, eucalyptus, green tea, tree moss, and crisp amber to make conditioning your hair a whole experience. 

Promising review: This is one of my favorite things from R+Co. It keeps my color looking great, and my hair moisturized." — Dermstore customer

Kristin Ess The One Signature Shampoo & Conditioner

A personal favorite and a go-to in my struggles with hard water, this shampoo is sulfate-free, lightly clarifying (so I don't feel bad using it multiple times per week), and high-lathering (so it's easy to work into rough, mineralized hair). 

Promising review: "I think this shampoo has done wonders for my hair! It's been wonderful and has helped it be healthier." — Target customer

The accompanying conditioner moisturizes my hair without weighing it down, which is impressive, considering I have such fine hair. 

Promising review: "This conditioner is wonderful! It smells so good, and my hair feels so soft and hydrated after every shower! A little goes a long way, so this bottle should last you a while!." — Target customer

Other Hair Products that Can Help with Hard Water

Shirazi's first recommendation after using the right shampoo and conditioner is to incorporate a moisturizing mask into your hair routine. "Using a nourishing hair mask with a lower pH twice a week is also helpful to restore the cuticles and lock in moisture," she says. This one "is a great option for weekly hydration. You can also make a hair mask with avocado or mix coconut and rosehip oil." 

Remember, if you have dry hair, hard water is only making it worse. Shirazi recommends incorporating this mask into your routine, especially if your hair is on the finer side like mine. It's lightweight and won't weigh hair down. 

Shirazi recommends this scalp serum if you're dealing with hair water. "It uses a silk protein to reduce buildup and calm irritation," she says. It's also formulated with zinc PCA to absorb excess oil, which makes it "a great option for a weekly treatment for those with oily scalps." 

Finally, Camp, Shirazi, and Rubin all say you can install a shower head filter if you're dealing with hard water. "Showerhead attachments can help soften water in areas where the water has a high mineral concentration," Camp says. In this way, you're defending your hair against hard water at the source. 

After all, soft water is better for your skin and hair. Take it from Rubin, who says, "Soft water doesn't leave any mineral residue behind or interfere with the effectiveness of cleansing ingredients. Soft water can also leave the hair feeling softer and more manageable and looking smoother and shinier. Soft water is associated with reduced frizz, less dryness, and longer-lasting color as well." 

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