Water filters have gained popularity as awareness of the chlorine and impurities found in tap water grows. Over the years we have collectively learned that, whether for health or taste, these impurities are something nearly everyone would rather filter out of their drinking water. Now, the real question is, if we’re treating our insides like VIPs, shouldn’t our skin get the star treatment, too? The answer is yes! The quality of tap water can certainly affect people’s skin for the worst, so it’s best that we don’t let it linger. However, when it comes to finding a solution, you may be seeing a trend of fancy bathroom sink filters popping up online but I can tell you, these are not the most efficient way to keep skin clear of impurities. 

An easier, tried-and-true option is a toner (an alcohol-free toner, to be exact). Here’s why!

How Do Bathroom Sink Filters Compare To Toners?

When you use a toner after cleansing, the process of wiping it across the skin, ideally with a toning cloth, helps to remove any impurities left over from your tap water. Not only are toners great for this, but they also provide various other benefits that sink filters can’t. Let’s run through the claimed benefits of bathroom sink filters and how they compare to your favorite toners.

Sink Filters CAN Remove Tap Water Impurities

We’ll start with the bathroom sink filter’s main claim: removing all of the chlorine, salts, and minerals that are put into tap water to make it safe for drinking and bathing. The reason we want to remove these is because they can be very harsh on the skin’s surface layers. If you’ve ever had to wipe off that cloudy white stuff from your shower doors, then you’ve seen exactly what tap water leaves behind on the skin: minerals, like calcium and magnesium. Now, do bathroom sink filters eliminate these impurities? Sure! But so do toners.

Sink Filters CAN Increase Hydration

If you struggle with dry skin, then adding a bathroom sink filter could be beneficial. Since unfiltered tap water raises the pH of your skin to an alkaline state, it has an undesirable drying effect on the skin. So, using filtered water (or once again, a toner) can keep your pH balanced and your skin hydrated. 

Sink Filters CAN Smooth Texture

Regarding bumpy skin texture caused by eczema, I have some clients who switched to filtered water who claim it helped. This likely circles back to the pH of tap water being higher than the skin’s natural pH (skin is around 5.5 while tap water is 6.5+). It’s for this same reason I recommend everyone use cleansers that are pH-balanced. If you struggle with eczema or reactive or sensitive skin, focusing on balancing your skin’s pH (whether through filtered water or toners) can be extremely beneficial. 

Sink Filters WILL NOT Reduce Breakouts

Here’s where the claims start to get a bit shaky. Let me tell you, there have been millions and millions of dollars put into trying to cure acne and if it was as simple as putting a filter on our bathroom sinks then I can assure you we would’ve discovered that a long time ago. 

When it comes to breakouts, clogged pores come from within. Breakouts occur when the skin produces an excess amount of oil that gets trapped and clogged in the pores. Tap water is not going to change the amount of oil your skin produces. Also, acne is due to hormones, and splashing water on your face has no direct correlation. Toners like Balancing Skin Tonic would be more beneficial for breakout-prone skin as a way to normalize oil production and clear blemishes without drying out the skin. 

Make sure you’re not making one of these five acne mistakes!

Sink Filters WILL NOT Prevent Premature Aging

Causes of premature aging include sun exposure and smoking, but tap water? That’s not putting any wear and tear on your skin. Attributing premature aging to tap water seems far-fetched and this fear-inducing claim may be more rooted in marketing strategies than scientific evidence. If you’re looking for anti-aging benefits, Elderberry Soothing Toner is great for delivering antioxidants deep within the skin.

Sink Filters WILL NOT Minimize Damage From Microplastics

Some bathroom sink filter brands claim that using a filter prevents microabrasion and damage caused by microplastics in water. They make it sound like pieces of plastic have broken off and are deeply scarring the skin. This is just another marketing tactic to cause panic and grab your attention, but ultimately nothing you need to worry about.

So there you have it! Sink filters can provide a few benefits to your skincare routine, such as increased hydration and a balanced pH, but if you’re already using a toner then these aren’t things you need to worry about; Plus, your toner is providing you with so much more! Depending on your choice of toner, you can also provide your skin with soothing ingredients, stimulating ingredients, exfoliating ingredients, etc. Toners also act as a delivery system for serums applied afterward, helping them reach deeper into the skin for more efficacy. There’s no need for a new, fancy gadget when toners are a powerhouse product just waiting to be used. 

Next up, find out how skincare brands are seeking innovation in an oversaturated market.

Celebrity Esthetician & Skincare Expert
As an esthetician trained in cosmetic chemistry, Renée Rouleau has spent 30 years researching skin, educating her audience, and building an award-winning line of products. Her hands-on experience as an esthetician and trusted skin care expert has created a real-world solution — products that are formulated for nine different types of skin so your face will get exactly what it needs to look and feel its best. Trusted by celebrities, editors, bloggers, and skincare obsessives around the globe, her vast real-world knowledge and constant research are why Marie Claire calls her “the most passionate skin practitioner we know.”