Showering with regular soaps, gels, or other bathing products is tiresome if you only have access to hard water. This is because you will need to use more soap for it to lather.
Worst still, body wash formulas can leave residues on your skin, which can close the pores and cause inflammation. To prevent all this, look for body wash formulas specially made for hard water.
More body wash products are on the market today than ever before. We’ve picked some of the best body wash for hard water to save you the pain of going through the endless list.
Additionally, this review breaks down each item by explaining its features, benefits, and disadvantages.
The Best Body Wash Products for Hard Water
According to our detailed research, these 3 body wash formulas have proved to deliver fantastic results with hard water.
1. Dove Reusable Bottle Concentrate Refills
This reusable starter concentrate kit is one of the newest additions by Dove to its body wash products. The kit comprises a plastic (100% high-density polyethylene) or aluminum refill bottle and one bottle of concentrate.
The idea of a reusable bottle helps you to save more money than buying the bottle plus concentrate together, thus reducing the use of plastics.
The concentrated body wash formula is kept in an ergonomically designed bottle with a Quick Connect Cap for mess-free filling into the reusable bottle.
Dove uses advanced technology that connects the cap to the refill bottle for a seamless release without spills.
To do this, twist the refill cap onto the reusable bottle’s neck clockwise until you hear a click sound. Next, release the concentrate, fill the bottle with water to the required level, and mix the contents by shaking the bottle thoroughly. Now your Dove body wash is ready for use.
Pros
- Lathers quickly
- Compact design
- 50% less plastic
- Reusable bottle
- Mess-free
- PETA cruelty-free certified
Cons
- Very expensive
2. Aveeno Sensitive Skin Fragrance-Free Skin Relief
The use of hard water makes some people’s skin itchy. Aveeno formula is what you need if you have dry, sensitive, or itchy skin.
The included oat ingredients will soothe, cleanse, and leave a moisturized feeling on the skin. This formula is allergy-tested and doesn’t contain parabens, dyes, soaps, and fragrances.
The ingredients used, like oat, almond, or essential oils, are hard-water friendly and won’t form a residue on your skin, thus avoiding skin clogging.
Squeeze the formula onto your washcloth and rub it on your body to form a creamy lather. Rinse off the Aveeno body wash when done.
Pros
- Assists in pain relief
- Cleanses the skin gently
- Ideal for daily use
- Affordable
- Fragrance-free
- Triple oat soothing blend
Cons
- The refill pack is sold separately
- Some people may experience skin rushes
3. CeraVe Moisturizing Dry Skin Body Wash
This CeraVe hydrating body wash cleanses and moisturizes your normal or dry skin for a beautiful look. Expert dermatologists developed the formula to ensure it is free of soap, sulfates, and parabens to prevent negative reactions to your skin.
It contains 3 vital ceramide ingredients that aid in maintaining and restoring your natural skin wall.
The CeraVe body wash is formulated with glycerin to increase skin moisture and Hyaluronic Acid to maintain moisture. The formula creates a gentle creamy lather that cleanses your body without stripping off natural moisture.
Pros
- Non-comedogenic
- Cleanses and refreshes the skin
- Good for eczema and sensitive skin
- A hydrating body wash
- It has 3 essential Ceramides for healthy skin
- Affordable
Cons
- The lack of a pump on the bottle makes the removal of thick formula hard
Points to Keep In Mind When Looking for a Body Wash for Hard Water
Fragrance
The mistake many people make is choosing a body wash according to its fragrance. Although that is not bad, some of the perfumes used are synthetic and can have a negative impact if you have sensitive skin.
A naturally scented body wash is the best choice if you don’t know the right one for your skin type. The type of fragrance is usually indicated on the product; if not, it can be obtained through the ingredients list.
Ingredients
A good body wash should have nourishing and moisturizing ingredients. An example is the presence of Vitamin E, a great skin moisturizer.
Other elements like shear butter, coconut oil, and cocoa butter help keep your skin hydrated, soft, and nourished. Aloe Vera kills bacteria-causing germs and protects your skin from sunburns.
Also, a body wash with sweet almond oil helps to stabilize your skin’s PH while honey moisturizes your skin and kills bacteria that cause body odors.
Apart from these ingredients, the body wash should lather easily and cleanse your skin deeply without causing the formula’s buildup on your skin.
If it satisfies your lifestyle activities
A body wash should integrate with your lifestyle. For instance, a body wash formula with a natural fragrance and ingredients that remove the chlorine smell would be ideal if you are into swimming.
Moreover, a body wash containing rosemary and eucalyptus essential oils is perfect for athletes as they help reduce muscle fatigue.
If it’s certified
A certified body wash means its PH levels or ingredients meet your country’s regulatory standards, thus ensuring products are safe for consumers.
Nevertheless, some body wash detergents have abrasive chemicals that effectively remove bacteria but do not work well for all. This is because they can damage your skin cells and bring more problems.
Does Hard Water Affect Soap’s Cleaning Ability?
Contact of soap with hard water minerals like manganese and calcium highly affects its cleaning power. The soap molecules react with the minerals to form an unpleasant substance called soap scum.
When allowed to settle on your skin, this residue clogs up the pores, leading to major skin problems like eczema and acne. The soap scum also stiffens up your hair and makes clothes uncomfortable.
Hard water can be endurable, but using body wash formulas that aren’t ideal for hard water is where non-ending skin complications come in.
Scented formulas are a no-go for hard water as they leave your skin irritated or dry. Furthermore, hard water strips natural oils from your skin.
Getting a good body wash for hard water helps to keep your skin hydrated, removes contaminants, reduces blemishes, and makes it radiant.