I’ve always invested in cleansers, serums, and moisturizers—but what I didn’t realize was that the water I was washing my face with was undoing all of it.

Tap water isn’t just “water.” It often contains chlorine, chloramine, microplastics, heavy metals, and hundreds of unregulated chemicals. Dermatologists say it can cause dryness, irritation, acne, redness, and even premature aging.

So I researched dozens of filters and devices, looked into lab results, and compared how my skin felt after using them. Here are the 5 best options I found if you want clearer, calmer, healthier skin—starting at the source.

1. Filterbaby Faucet Filter – Best Overall

Filterbaby is the #1 dermatologist-recommended faucet filter for skincare. It’s the first filter designed specifically for your face—turning harsh tap water into clean, skin-friendly water.

What makes it different? The filter uses 4,000 nano-threads (7,000x thinner than a human hair) to trap chlorine, chloramine, rust, microplastics, and even bacteria and viruses. In clinical testing, people saw improved skin hydration in just 14 days.

It’s super easy to install (5 minutes, no plumber), fits most faucets, and you can actually see the dirt your skin was being exposed to when you change the cartridge.

91% of users said it was the “best their skin has ever felt.” Once you try it, you’ll never want to go back to washing with tap water.

Buy it here — Get 30% Off Today

EDIT: For a limited time, Filterbaby is offering 30% off to new subscribers

2. Jolie Filtered Showerhead – Luxury Pick

If Filterbaby is your everyday essential, Jolie is like the high-end “designer” option. It’s a sleek, Instagram-worthy showerhead that reduces chlorine and heavy metals while doubling as a bathroom upgrade.

The branding is beautiful, the unboxing feels luxurious, and it’s priced to match—around $165+ for just the showerhead, with replacement filters adding up fast.

It’s undeniably chic and makes a statement in your bathroom, but for the price you’re paying, you’re buying into the aesthetic as much as the function. If you want the “status symbol” of water filters, Jolie is it.

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3. Brita Faucet Filter

A household name, Brita filters are affordable and easy to find. They mainly target taste and odor, reducing chlorine and some heavy metals. But they’re not designed for skincare, and lab tests show they don’t catch the smaller contaminants that irritate skin.

They’re a fine budget option, but nowhere near Filterbaby’s level for skin health.

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4. AquaBliss Shower Filter

Popular on Amazon, AquaBliss uses activated carbon and calcium sulfite to reduce chlorine. The catch? Calcium sulfite itself can leach irritants into the water, and the effectiveness drops dramatically after a few weeks.

If you’re just dipping your toe into water filters, it’s inexpensive—but don’t expect luxury-level results.

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5. Culligan Filtered Showerhead

Culligan has been in the water game for decades. Their filtered showerheads are practical, widely available, and very budget-friendly. They’ll reduce chlorine and improve water feel, but they’re bulky, plastic, and don’t deliver the same performance or aesthetics as newer players.

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Bottom Line

Most tap water is filled with chlorine, metals, and microplastics that wreck your skin barrier. But you don’t have to accept irritation, dryness, and breakouts.

That’s why Filterbaby is our #1 pick. It’s the first dermatologist-recommended faucet filter designed for skincare—clinically shown to improve hydration in just 14 days. Easy to install, highly effective, and loved by 91% of users.

Click here to get Filterbaby 30% off when you subscribe today.