Why is My Skin So Dry?

6th November 2026

Share:

If you struggle with dry skin and no skincare products seem to make a difference, it could mean that there’s something else going on. A visit to a dermatologist could be helpful, but you may also want to think about other factors in your daily environment. 

 

One of these is the water you shower with. There’s a clear link between dry skin and hard water, where the mineral deposits present in the water - along with other things like chlorine and heavy metals - can be exacerbating dry skin conditions. 

 

Here, we’ll take a look at some of the common causes of dry skin, including why showering can sometimes make it worse. Plus, how shower filters can make a big difference. 

Title

We’ve used Curo for almost a year now and can’t go back! It’s made my hair and skin so much softer. Even family visiting and staying with us notices a difference in the water, it’s much softer. 

El Bergan (Customer)
Title

What Causes Dry Skin?

Dry skin happens when the skin's natural barrier loses too much moisture. This protective barrier is responsible for keeping hydration in, and irritants out. If it’s compromised, this is when you’ll notice your skin feeling tight, itchy, rough or flaky.

 

Certain things can damage or disrupt the skin barrier, and lead to dry skin. This includes:

 

  • Cold, windy weather
  • Low indoor humidity
  • Overwashing or excessive showering/bathing
  • Harsh soaps and cleansers
  • Certain skin conditions, such as eczema or psoriasis
  • Dehydration
  • Frequent exposure to hard water.

 

In many cases, dry skin isn't caused by one single factor. It can actually be a combination of a few different things, such as environmental influences and skincare habits. For example, if you live in a hard water area and regularly take long, hot showers, your skin may struggle to maintain its natural moisture balance.

Save upto 35%
chrome
chrome
chrome
chrome
chrome
brushed-gold
brushed-gold
brushed-gold
brushed-gold
brushed-gold
midnight-black
midnight-black
midnight-black
midnight-black
midnight-black
all-variants

Filtered Shower Head

Winner of seven national awards, including Best Handheld Shower Filter of 2026
£80.00

Why is My Skin So Dry After I Shower?

A feeling of dryness after showering is really common - lots of people experience this. Showers are great for hygiene and relaxation, but they can also strip away some of the natural oils that help keep skin hydrated and protected.

 

Water temperature is a main culprit, as very hot water is known to cause dryness. Length of shower is another factor, as are skincare products - some strong soaps, body washes containing sulphates and heavily fragranced products can strip the skin of essential oils.

 

And then of course, there’s water quality. A large proportion of the UK is classed as a hard water area, which means there are high levels of minerals (such as calcium and magnesium) in tap water. With regular exposure in your daily shower, this can trigger problems with dryness and sensitivity in your skin. 

Does Hard Water Cause Dry Skin?

Although hard water isn’t harmful to drink, the minerals it contains can cause quite a few problems with hair and skin. One of the main issues is that it can leave a residue behind when it mixes with soap and cleansers. This prevents proper rinsing, which can cause irritation in people with sensitive skin. 

 

Other problems include:

 

  • Potentially worsening existing skin conditions such as eczema
  • Making skin feel tight or uncomfortable
  • Disrupting the skin’s natural barrier
  • Increasing moisture loss.

 

Hard water can also exacerbate the skin-drying effects of chlorine and heavy metals, which may also be present in your water. To see what’s in the water in your area, get your free water quality report. 

Can Hot Showers Cause Dry Skin?

You may love a steaming hot shower in the morning, but does showering with hot water cause dry skin? Unfortunately, the answer is yes - hot showers can often make dry skin dryer. 

 

This is because very hot water can remove the natural oils on your skin, known as sebum. Without these oils, moisture evaporates more quickly from the skin's surface.

 

The occasional hot shower is unlikely to cause major issues, and it can be good for relaxing tired muscles. But if you make a habit of it, you may notice problems with dryness. So, it could be worth turning the temperature down a few degrees, and perhaps limiting shower time by a few minutes to minimise exposure. 

 

And what about the opposite - can cold water dry out skin? It’s less likely to strip away natural oils, although it isn’t necessarily hydrating on its own. 

 

For most people, lukewarm water offers the ideal balance. It’s comfortable enough for daily showering, while also helping to preserve the skin's natural moisture barrier.

Do I Need a Shower Filter?

If you've addressed some of the most common causes of dryness but still struggle with skin that feels tight or irritated after showering, you may need another solution. This is where a shower filter could be a real lifesaver. 

 

Shower filters such as the Curo Filtered Shower Head are designed to reduce certain impurities found in tap water, such as chlorine, heavy metals, sediment, and other contaminants that may contribute to skin irritation. 

 

Change the filter regularly, and it’ll keep on working to improve the overall feel and quality of your water and reduce residue left on the skin.

 

Shower filters are particularly useful for people who: 

 

  • Live in a hard water area
  • Experience persistent dry or sensitive skin
  • Notice irritation after showering
  • Want to reduce exposure to chlorine and other water impurities.

 

While a shower filter isn’t a magic cure for dry skin, it can be an important part of a wider skincare approach that includes gentle cleansing, regular moisturising and avoiding excessively hot showers. 

 

Read more about how shower filters work here. 

Related Products

chrome

Filtered Shower Head

£80.00
Replacement Filter

Replacement Filter

£40.00
chrome

Shower Holder

£10.00