Hard water is messing with my hair and face. Help

[NomadicMama]

Since moving two months ago (to Germany), my fine hair is even more limp and lifeless. My complexion, while not fabulous since having my son nearly three years ago, has gone to hell. It is awful.

I found that using my son's California Baby shampoo every couple of days helped, but I've now used it all up.

I brought a ton of Aveda products with me that I'd like to use, if possible. (They're not cheap and I stocked up--oops!). I have an Aveda moisturizer, too, and use Bare Escentials make-up.

Please tell me--what do you use to counter the effects of hard water???

FWIW, I have fine hair (chin length) and it gets oily (then downright greasy) quickly. My face used to be oily, but feels dryer these days (go figure, hard water!).

Thank you! My DH will be headed out for an extended work trip, and I'd like to get this hot mess under control so that when he imagines my face (or looks at recent pictures, I am not a pimply, gross mess.)

[RITS]

This is a solution to PH problems and I have no idea if it will help with hard water, but maybe try "washing" with baking soda and rinsing with apple cider vinegar (mixed with water) every other week. If you use baking soda, you HAVE to follow up with a vinegar rinse.

[lolo]

Do you use conditioner every day? I have fine hair and sometimes it's better to go without conditioner every other wash, or to avoid conditioning the root area (which apparently you aren't supposed to do anyway).

[clickerish]

I second the baking soda/vinegar thing. I also suggest...and this might get costly...bottled water. You don't have to wash your whole body with it, just your hair and face. I have never run into the hair problem, but when my skin broke out randomly two years ago in Spain, I switched to bottled and it was way better.

[popcorn]

May 16, 2012 11:16:54 GMT -5 NomadicMama said:

Since moving two months ago (to Germany), my fine hair is even more limp and lifeless. )

AHHHHHH. I am having the same problem! Frankfurt water sucks. That is all I have to say. Thanks for asking this question as I also want to know the answer...if there is one. BTW--aren't you near Frankfurt? In Wiesbaden perhaps? We should GTG!

[popcorn]

May 16, 2012 11:46:27 GMT -5 lolo said:

Do you use conditioner every day? I have fine hair and sometimes it's better to go without conditioner every other wash, or to avoid conditioning the root area (which apparently you aren't supposed to do anyway).

I am also doing this. No conditioner every other shower and only on the ends. But still...the water sucks.

[pseudoagain]

I'm about to try the whole baking soda/vinegar thing. Right now I am using Malibu C Hard Water Wellness shampoo and conditioner and it works really well. Definitely try the bottled water thing for your face though or try to get a filter installed.

[NomadicMama]

Thanks for the tips! I will start washing my face with bottled water (we get Culligan delivered, so it's not as expensive). I will have to buy vinegar and more baking soda. I'll look into the products suggested.

I can't condition my hair with each shower? I will try this, but I am dubious.

Thank you, again. My face is awful. I hope to report back with happier skin (and hair) soon!

[NomadicMama]

May 16, 2012 12:12:31 GMT -5 popcorn said:

May 16, 2012 11:16:54 GMT -5 NomadicMama said:

Since moving two months ago (to Germany), my fine hair is even more limp and lifeless. )

AHHHHHH. I am having the same problem! Frankfurt water sucks. That is all I have to say. Thanks for asking this question as I also want to know the answer...if there is one. BTW--aren't you near Frankfurt? In Wiesbaden perhaps? We should GTG!

Yes! We are actually just east of Wiesbaden, but not far! We should GTG! Not that either of us know the area well, but we can figure something out! I'll check with a friend who has been here longer and seems to really know her stuff!

[Cheesecake]

You can also do vinegar rinses without using baking soda first (if you prefer using shampoo over baking soda - the baking soda is instead of shampoo, I love it, but it took quite a while for my hair to re-balance itself instead of just being a greasy mess)
Plus, you can add stuff that's good for your hair to the vinegar.
I do 1 tbsp vinegar to slightly over a cup of filtered water (from a jug with a brita filter) and add a drop of tea tree oil and a teaspoon of rosemary. Just google to see what kind of herbs work well for your hair. It makes the vinegar rinse smell better and makes your hair better too :-)
You won't smell the vinegar at all after your hair is dry.
I've been shampoo and conditioner free for about 3 and a half months now, and I love it!

[lolo]

May 16, 2012 14:30:32 GMT -5 NomadicMama said:

I can't condition my hair with each shower? I will try this, but I am dubious.

I was dubious too but it works when there's too much of an oily build up. It's not a permanent thing for me--I did it for maybe 1-2 weeks and when I notice my hair being greasy, I skip a conditioning session here and there.

But if you're really skeptical, try only applying conditioner to your ends, and no where near your scalp. It feels better and still gets you some of the benefits.