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‘It's given me stronger, softer hair’: The Hello Klean Purifying Shower Head is now only £45!
Our lifestyle writer swears by this hard-water hero
You’ve tried changing up your shampoo, you’ve religiously applied the masks and oils, but your hair is still dry, dull and brittle. In that case, it could be your water that’s the problem – your hard water, specifically.
Whether your water supply is hard or soft will depend on where you live. But before taking the drastic measure of uprooting your whole life and family to avoid the negative effects of a hard water supply on your hair and skin, you may want to consider investing in a filtered shower head instead.
That’s where haircare brand Hello Klean comes in. Recognising that hard water is a big issue facing a lot of us in the UK, it developed its clever purifying shower head, filter, and hair care range to counteract the effects.
The Hello Klean collection
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The mission is simple: to improve your shower experience by mitigating the negative effects of hard water. Founder Karlee Oz got the idea after travelling extensively and feeling the impact of hard water on her skin and hair.
I’m already a convert. Growing up in Wales, where we were blessed with soft water, shielded me from the hard-water problems faced by a lot of city dwellers. But after a couple of months living in London, I noticed my hair snapping and thinning. Since investing in Hello Klean’s filtered shower head, my hair feels softer, less tangled and stronger again. So, I can personally say it works.
Already sold? Read our review of the shower head and full Hello Klean product range below, plus our interview with Oz about the ways hard water can affect your beauty regime.
With Amazon Prime Day back and bigger than ever for 2025, it's a great time to grab a bargain on our best in test. The event runs from 8 to 11 July and we're expecting some big savings on some of our top-rated models. We’ll be updating this page with deals as they drop.
Hello Klean Shower Head
So, let’s dive into the ins and outs of this revolutionary beauty tool. Hailed a hair and skincare hero on social media (and featured on Dragon’s Den), the Hello Klean shower head is designed to reduce the drying effects of hard water. But how?
It features a two-step filtration process that reduces unwanted impurities and chlorine in hard water by using a system of amino acids and a zinc and copper filter. Amino acids work to boost the filtration process, while the filter reacts with any impurities or chlorine and transforms it into a harmless salt. Science!
Not only does it bring all the beauty benefits, but the brand also claims that it uses 25% less water than the average shower head, so it could cut your bills, too. To start using it, all you have to do is remove your old shower head and attach the Hello Klean one. I can attest to the fact that it's super simple to set up and use.
The shower head will fit on all handheld showers, but if you have a different set-up, the filter fits under the tap. Both perform the same job when it comes to hard water, and the filter takes just two minutes to install with no tools needed.
The brand claims that it reduces over 90% of chlorine traces in water, as well as other unwanted metals such as copper, iron and lead.
GH beauty writer Phoebe Lee said that after using it, her skin felt softer, while her hair was shinier and easier to brush. Sold!
On top of its shower accessories, the brand has also developed its haircare product range, aimed at repairing the damage caused by hard water. The clarifying shampoo includes key ingredients to battle breakage, including activated charcoal which draws out minerals and metals from the hair.
Lactic acid then steps in to break down the mineral deposits, and exfoliates away residue and boosts shine, while liquorice root helps to strengthen your strands against future damage.
This formula has all the goodness without any added nasties, aka parabens, sulphates and silicones, which can all dry the hair.
Why is hard water bad for your hair and skin?
“Hard water residue clogs the hair follicles, making it feel dull, limp and frail, as well as being more difficult to style and looking discoloured,” says Oz. “Hair is three times more likely to ‘pick up’ residue while washing in a hard water area.
“Additionally, chlorinated water strips the hair of its natural oils (produced by the sebaceous glands on your scalp), which help it to be hydrophobic, nature’s way of waterproofing. When the natural oils are stripped, the hair becomes less water-resistant and even more prone to damage and breakage.”
“The heavy metals in hard water, such as iron, copper, zinc and lead, interact with free radicals, which then attack collagen fibres on the skin,” Oz adds.
Collagen is an essential protein that acts as a key building block for healthy and strong hair, so when it comes under attack from hard water, this can lead to a loss of skin elasticity and more brittle, damaged hair.
What are the benefits of using a filtered shower head?
“Think of a shower filter as step zero of your beauty routine,” says Oz. “It’s an economical, hassle-free and reliable way to purify the water in your shower. Minerals and metals can leave behind a film-like residue, causing dryness, irritation for the skin and damaged hair that’s brittle and weighed down.
“Installing a shower filter reduces minerals and metals entering your shower stream, thus preventing some hair and skin issues from occurring in the first place” she adds. “A shower filter also acts as a de-chlorinator. Alongside minerals, most UK cities also use chlorine to disinfect tap water, which can be damaging to hair and skin.”
How do I get rid of hard water build-up in my hair?
On top of a shower head or filter, the right shampoo can help combat the negative effects of hard water. “Using a clarifying shampoo formulated for hard water once a week or every two weeks is recommended for most hair types,” says Oz.
Clarifying shampoos are designed to remove residue and mineral build-up from your scalp and hair, which is what makes them effective when used in hard water. Clarifying shampoos act as chelating agents, as Oz explains. “Chelating means that an ingredient can bond with metal ions such as calcium and iron to remove them from the hair.”
8 July 2025: We updated this article to reflect the latest prices and stock levels over the Amazon Prime Day period.
Madeleine is our Lifestyle Writer, specialising in expert-tested reviews and round-ups on the latest beauty Beauty and Health & Wellness products. From skincare to protein powders, Maddie is committed to providing honest and helpful reviews to help guide readers to the best product for them. Maddie has a BA in English Literature and Language, which stemmed from her lifelong interest in reading and writing. She started her post graduate life at Hearst UK within a marketing capacity, which quickly turned into a desire to fulfil a writing career.
When she is not writing about the latest expert reviewed products, you can find her rifling through vintage shops or car boots, reading a print magazine, or capturing portraits on her film camera.
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