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Save Your Own Skin
While the chlorine concentration in tap water is required to
be below levels established by the EPA, bathing in normal
chlorinated tap water has been shown to exacerbate or worsen
existing skin conditions such as eczema. In fact, experts
suggest that exposure to chlorinated water is one of the
causes leading to or worsening of symptoms of skin dryness
(Gardinier, 2009).
To investigate the impact of chlorine on skin hydration,
researchers have exposed participants to chlorinated water
and then measured the water holding capacity of the skin.
In participants with eczema and in those with normal skin,
typical tap water chlorine concentrations significantly
reduced the water holding capacity of the outermost layer
of the skin, the stratum corneum, after a 10 minute exposure
(Seki, 2003). As lipids (or oils) play a role in the hydration of
the skin, these results suggest that chlorine is stripping away
the natural oils of the skin.
When examined under a high-powered microscope, the outer
layer of normal skin was shown to be rough and “unhealthily
shiny” after the interaction with chlorine. The images also
show the pores on the skin turned larger after contact with the
chlorine-containing water. The authors indicated that large
pores can cause one’s complexion to appear dull and uneven,
and that the reaction of chlorine with the skin could even
accelerate the aging process (Xiao, 2012).
Chlorine has also been associated with eczema in children.
In a study on infant swimming practices on development of
childhood eczema, the authors found that increased swimming
was associated with an increased prevalence in childhood
eczema, and suggested that the chlorine may explain this
association (Chaumont, 2012).
Chlorine is a leading
cause of dry skin
Chlorine strips
away natural oils
of the skin
Chlorine can
resulted in
weakened hair
Chlorine can
accelerate the
aging process
Chlorine can
irritate and sting
eyes