Whole House Water Filters for Skin, Hair and Everyday Wellbeing

Woman drinking a glass of filtered water at a kitchen sink

Australian mains water is treated to make it safe to drink, and chlorine plays a big part in that. But the same chlorine can leave a taste and smell, and many people notice their skin and hair feel drier after a shower. A whole-house water filter reduces chlorine and sediment before water reaches your taps. That means your whole household drinks, bathes and showers in filtered water.

Softer-feeling skin and hair in the shower

Puretec says chlorine can leave skin feeling dry and itchy, especially for people with sensitive skin. It also calls chlorine one of the most common causes of skin and scalp irritation, dryness and itching. You don’t just drink water. You stand under it every day, so shower water matters too.

Whole-house filtration filters water as it enters your home, so every shower and bath gets filtered water as well. Puretec designs its FilterWall F series to reduce chlorine, chemicals and sediment “to minimise drying effects on skin and hair”. Puretec says filtered shower water helps support healthy hair and skin by protecting them from chlorine.

A shower filter is the simplest place to start. The Puretec SF240-CH combines carbon and KDF media to reduce chlorine, sediment, chemicals and heavy metals in shower water. Puretec says it helps protect your skin and hair’s natural balance, supports smoother, healthier-looking hair and helps dyed hair keep its colour for longer. It screws onto your existing shower, with no re-plumbing needed.

From a Puretec customer review (FilterWall): “Our town water had taste and smell issues. Since installing the Puretec Filterwall, everything’s improved – showers, hair, laundry, even the garden! Very happy with the unit.” – Jim, WA. Individual experiences vary.

Drinking more water when it tastes better

Puretec points out that chlorine’s aftertaste and smell can make tap water unappetising. When water tastes fresh, it’s easier to reach for a glass from the tap instead of buying bottled water. A whole-house system gives you filtered water at every tap, including the kitchen, laundry and bathroom basins. Under-sink filters add a finer stage at the kitchen sink. Puretec says its Z series filters chlorine, sediment, Giardia and Cryptosporidium cysts and trihalomethanes (THMs).

Reducing everyday exposure

Chlorine and THMs – THMs can form when chlorine reacts with natural organic matter. The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines set a limit for them, and water utilities monitor THM levels. Carbon filtration reduces chlorine, and Puretec’s Z series under-sink filters also reduce THMs.
PFAS (“forever chemicals”) – The FilterWall F5 includes a premium 20″ carbon filter that Puretec says helps reduce exposure to PFAS. For greater reduction, Puretec recommends pairing it with an under-sink filter or the RO270 reverse osmosis system. Puretec is still in the early stages of third-party testing and recommends having your water tested at an accredited laboratory. Read more in our PFAS guide.
Microplastics – Puretec promotes its Ultra Z cartridges, such as the Z6-R used in the PureMix Z6, as certified to reduce microplastics in drinking water.

Peace of mind for families

With whole-house filtration, the kids’ bath, the bathroom basin and the kitchen tap all deliver the same filtered water. Many parents like knowing bath and shower water has less chlorine. If you’re preparing infant formula, keep following the instructions on the tin and your health professional’s advice, including boiling and cooling the water. A filter doesn’t replace those steps.

Rainwater and bore water

Rainwater is very pure when it falls, but it can pick up bacteria, sediment and contamination from roofs, gutters and tanks. For tank water, Puretec’s Hybrid systems combine filtration with Radfire™ UV, which Puretec says kills up to 99.9% of bacteria. The Hybrid E13 is a whole-house option for homes that switch between mains and rainwater. Puretec advises testing surface and bore water before you choose a system. A water analysis test kit is a good first step. See Is rainwater tank water safe to drink?

Healthier home extras

Puretec says whole-house filtration also helps protect hot water systems, washing machines, dishwashers, pipes and tapware from chlorine and sediment. The FilterWall F4 and F6 add ScaleProtect to reduce scale build-up. In hard-water areas, Puretec notes that hard water can dry out skin and hair and makes soap harder to lather. For high hardness, Puretec recommends pairing a Softrol™ water softener with a whole-house filter.

How to choose

Whole-house filter – best if you want filtered water for showers, baths and every tap. Installed by a licensed plumber.
Under-sink filter – finer filtration for drinking and cooking water at one tap. You can use one on its own or add it to a whole-house system.
Shower filter – a budget-friendly DIY option for one bathroom. It suits renters.

Still deciding? Compare under-sink and whole-house filters or browse our whole-house water filters.

Frequently asked questions

Will a whole-house filter make my skin and hair feel better?

Many people notice their skin feels less dry and their hair feels softer after switching to filtered shower water. Puretec designs its FilterWall F series to reduce chlorine, chemicals and sediment “to minimise drying effects on skin and hair”. Everyone’s skin is different, so results vary.

Can a water filter treat eczema or dermatitis?

No. A water filter isn’t a medical treatment and shouldn’t replace advice from your GP or dermatologist. The research on water and eczema is mixed. For example, a large UK trial found that ion-exchange water softeners did not improve eczema in children. Some people with sensitive skin simply prefer how filtered water feels.

Is Australian tap water safe to drink?

Yes. Mains water is treated to meet the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines, and your water utility publishes quality reports. Filtering it improves taste and comfort and reduces everyday exposure to chlorine and sediment. It isn’t about making unsafe water safe.

Shower filter or whole-house filter?

A shower filter such as the SF240-CH is an affordable DIY option for one shower. A whole-house filter treats every tap, shower and bath in the home. Because it connects to the mains, it must be installed by a licensed plumber.

Does a whole-house filter reduce PFAS?

Puretec says carbon filtration is a commonly accepted way to reduce PFAS, and recommends the FilterWall F5 on its own or paired with an under-sink filter or RO270 for greater reduction. Puretec is still in the early stages of third-party testing, so it doesn’t yet have exact reduction rates. It recommends getting your water independently tested.

How often do the cartridges need changing?

That depends on the system, your water and how much you use. Puretec stresses that changing the carbon cartridge regularly is critical for it to keep working well. Matching care kits are available for the FilterWall and WH2 ranges. See our cartridge change guide.

Health note

This page is general information about water filtration, not medical advice. Water filters are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or skin condition. If you have concerns about your skin, hair or health, talk to your GP, pharmacist or dermatologist. For questions about your local water supply, contact your water utility or have your water tested.