The wake up call
For years, I’d jump out of the shower and immediately reach for moisturiser. My skin always felt dry, tight, and a bit itchy, but I blamed the weather, my diet, or my skincare. Never the water.
But over time, I started to notice patterns. My scalp was flakier in winter. My skin felt worse after longer showers. It wasn’t until I read about chlorine’s effect on the skin barrier that I had the ‘aha!’ moment.
Turns out, our shower water is loaded all sorts — and our skin soaks up a lot more than we realise.
What’s really in our water?
Pretty much all tap water in Australia contains:
- Chlorine (to kill bacteria)
- Heavy metals(from aging pipes)
- Volatile chemicals like THMs (a byproduct of disinfection)
- Microplastics
- leftover pesticides
And much more…
Safe to drink? Debatable…
What I didn’t know is, your skin isn’t a barrier — it’s a sponge. And in a hot shower, your pores open wide, making it even easier for these toxins to enter your body.
Here’s the crazy part:
Your skin can absorb more chemicals from a 10-minute hot shower than from drinking 8 cups of water.
Once I read that, I couldn’t ignore it anymore.
What happened when I started filtering my shower
I wasn’t expecting a miracle. I just wanted to feel a bit… less dry. But after a few weeks, I noticed:
- My skin wasn’t flaking or tight after showering
- I didn’t need to moisturise twice a day
- My scalp was calmer, and my hair softer
- My partner’s skin (prone to eczema) stopped flaring up
It wasn’t just a skin thing — I felt better. Less inflamed. Less itchy. Less “ughh.”
And that’s when I realised: clean water is foundational. You can have the best skincare in the world, but if the water you’re showering in is full of skin disruptors, you’re constantly fighting an uphill battle.
Why this matters — especially for women and families
Women tend to be more sensitive to hormone disruptors, and sadly, many of the toxins found in unfiltered water (like chlorine byproducts) can mess with our endocrine systems.
And if you’ve got little ones? Their skin is even more delicate. Bathing babies in filtered water can reduce rashes, dryness, and exposure to unnecessary chemicals during a crucial developmental phase.
I think about that a lot — not out of fear, but out of care.
The bottom line
I used to think shower filters were a “nice to have.” But now for me, they’re a non-negotiable. Not because they’re trendy or natural — but because they work. For your skin, your scalp, your nervous system, and peace of mind.
And once you feel the difference, you’ll wonder how you ever went without one.
Thinking about switching?
If you’ve been curious about shower filters but haven’t made the leap, I get it. I waited too long too. But here’s your sign: your skin deserves better. Your hair does too.
The Watego Shower Filter exists because I needed a better filter. One that was high quality, simple to use, and aligned with how I wanted to live: toxin-free, low-fuss, and nature-first.
