‘Water makes such a difference through the filter’
As part of New Year’s resolutions, many are looking to incorporate simple, practical upgrades into their daily routines. One area that shoppers might not have considered is water quality and shower filtration and how this affects skin, hair and overall health – but now there’s a product that can help with this and it won’t break the bank.
Developed in response to growing concern around chlorine, microplastics, trihalomethanes (THMs) and hard water, the Water2 Filtered Showerhead is said to remove up to 90% of chlorine and filter microplastics and harmful by-products. The brand says it also helps to slow full limescale build-up while ‘boosting the feeling of water pressure’.
Birmingham University research from 2024 suggests microplastics can be absorbed through the skin – and this can be even worse when the skin is hydrated. This means any microplastics in shower water are primed to be absorbed more.
Birmingham University said: “The results, published in Environment International, showed that as much as 8% of the chemical exposed could be taken up by the skin, with more hydrated – or ‘sweatier’ – skin absorbing higher levels of chemical. The study provides the first experimental evidence into how this process contributes to levels of toxic chemicals found in the body.”
Dr Ovokeroye Abafe, now at Brunel University, carried out the research while at the University of Birmingham. He said: “Microplastics are everywhere in the environment and yet we still know relatively little about the health problems that they can cause.
The showerhead is available to buy from Water2
£99
£84
Water2
Buy Now on Water2
The site says it filters chlorine, THMs and ‘much more’
“Our research shows that they play a role as ‘carriers’ of harmful chemicals, which can get into our bloodstream through the skin. These chemicals are persistent, so with continuous or regular exposure to them, there will be a gradual accumulation to the point where they start to cause harm.”
In addition to this, a recent large-scale review of existing research by scholars at the University of California, San Francisco, suggests that exposure to microplastics is suspected to harm reproductive, digestive and respiratory health and potentially link to colon and lung cancer.
The Water2 Filtered Showerhead, made in collaboration with Bear Grylls, was designed to create a simple yet powerful solution that could ‘bring safer, fresher water into homes nationwide’. For a one-time purchase, it costs £99 online, or the ‘subscribe and save’ option costs £69 currently and means a new filter is delivered every 90 days. There’s also an exclusive £15 off offer with the code ‘FRIEND’ at the moment, bringing the one-off purchase down to £84.
The brand says installation takes less than 30 seconds – with no tools required, no plumber and no disruption. Each showerhead comes complete with a replaceable 90-day filter capsule, plus an additional vitamin C capsule for a refreshing sensory boost. Maintenance is minimal and subscription options make ongoing filter replacements ‘effortless’, according to Water2.
If the Water2 showerhead isn’t the one, there are other alternatives available – such as this Tappwater Showerpro Shower Filter Chrome at Boots, available for £37.40 (down from £44). According to Boots, the filter ‘operates at high pressure and hot water, removing heavy metals and chemicals for a revitalizing and protective shower experience’.
Or there’s the more expensive IONAC shower head, available from Amazon for £128. This is said to use advanced Japanese technology, effectively converting harmful chlorine into harmless ions, making shower water ‘healthier and gentler for your skin’.
Back to the Water2 Filtered Showerhead, shoppers have left positive reviews on the site. One said: “Amazing! We have hard water and I noticed a difference in my hair and skin straightaway, so would definitely recommend for people with sensitive skin.”
Another wrote: “Water makes such a difference through the filter. My skin and hair feel so soft.”
Others left feedback for the product, with one writing on Water2’s site: “We love it! The pressure is amazing and my partner’s scalp has been in fantastic condition since he started using this to wash his hair. My ask is – could you please create a bigger one for ‘rain full shower heads’. As that is the primary in our shower and the shower head from yourself is currently attached to the smaller mobile attachment. So we shower under the rain full and then rinse with yours.”
But most were pleased, as another said: “Super easy and effective.”
Shoppers can get an exclusive £15 off the Water2 Filtered Showerhead with the code FRIEND.
