Distilled Water For Hair: Benefits And How To Use

Is Distilled Water Free From All Impurities?

Image: Shutterstock

Yes, distilled water is free from all impurities, toxins, chemicals, and minerals. This purified water maintains a pH of 7. It also is devoid of contamination. Distilled water is produced by boiling regular water and condensing the steam back into the liquid. This process also involves a deionization technique that removes all salts and minerals from the condensed liquid.
Distilled water may benefit your hair in many ways. We have discussed the benefits in the next section.

Quick Tip

It may cause allergic reactions in rare cases. People allergic to distilled water may experience itching and hivesⁱ  XAn allergic reaction causing bumps on the scalp. It can be triggered by stress or environmental factors. .

Does Distilled Water Improve Hair Health?

Image: Shutterstock

Many cosmetic products consist of nearly 65-70% of water. Manufacturers of cosmetic products use water (distilled water, to be specific) to potentially avoid allergic reactions in users. Distilled water also acts as a solvent and can dissolve all the active ingredients in the products. It also may boost product absorption when used.

Distilled water is one of the purest forms of water that may help promote hair health. Washing your hair with hard water can cause many hair problems. Hard water can deposit minerals like magnesium and calcium in your hair, making your hair dry, frizzy, and fragile. Hair washed with hard water was found to have a rougher appearance and a higher mineral deposition than that washed with distilled water (1). Hard water may also weaken hair's tensile strengthⁱ  XThe measure of the amount of stress a hair strand can withstand when stretched or pulled. It is influenced by aging and nutrition. (2). However, on the contrary, a separate study showed that water hardness had no impact on hair’s tensile strength or elasticity (3).

Despite the conflicting research, anecdotal evidence suggests that distilled water can benefit hair in more ways than one. We have listed them below:

1. Distilled water removes all product residues from your hair and scalp as it is the purest form of water. It also may soften and smoothen your hair.

2. It will not have any damaging effects on your hair or scalp. It improves hair strength and makes your hair more manageable and frizz-free.

3. Distilled water can help retain the moisture content of your hair strands. It also keeps the hair ends saturated and prevents split ends.

4. Distilled water is known to retain natural scalp oils.

5. Distilled water retains hair color.

6.  It is believed distilled water preserves your haircut.

7. There is no mineral buildupⁱ  XThe high mineral content found in hard water forms a flimsy layer over the hair and leads to dryness and hair breakage. on the hair or scalp left by distilled water.

Fun Fact

Your hair holds a negative charge and is attracted by the positive metal ions in hard water. This could make all the metal ions and minerals form a barrier and affect your hair treatments. Hence, many companies manufacturing cosmetic products use distilled water in place of normal water.

These are the potential benefits of distilled water on your hair. But how can you use it on your hair? Find out in the following section.

Quick Tip

Distilled water can pull in minerals from any material it touches. So, storing distilled water could be more problematic.

How To Wash Your Hair With Distilled Water?

Image: Shutterstock

1. Warm the distilled water and let it cool. Make sure it is not too hot so that you can ensure the cuticle stays lying down.

2. Wash your hair with a mild, sulfate-free shampoo or use any natural shampoo.

3. Rinse your hair with distilled water.

4. You may also use a hair conditioner in the required quantities and rinse it with distilled water.

5. Gently pat your hair dry. Letting your hair air dry works best.

Infographic: 5 Hair Care Benefits Of Distilled Water

Many experts recommend washing your hair with distilled water instead of hard water. We have listed the top five benefits of distilled water that will help your hair become healthier. Check out the infographic below to learn more!

Save

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Save the high-quality PDF version on your device now.

Download Infographic

Frequently Asked Questions

How is distilled water different from purified water?

Distilled water is devoid of all impurities and minerals, whereas purified water is free from impurities but retains minerals.

How much distilled water do you need to wash your hair?

You need the same amount of distilled water that you would otherwise normally use while washing your hair.

Can mold grow in distilled water?

Yes, mold can grow in distilled water, as most distillation methods let trace elements and compounds be present in the water.

Is distilled water soft water?

Yes. Distilled water is soft water, as the minerals and impurities are removed via distillation.

Is boiled water the same as distilled water?

No. Boiled water is devoid of bacteria and germs but contains essential minerals. However, distilled water is stripped of all minerals, ions, and microorganisms.

Is rainwater distilled?

It is a pure form of water, but it cannot be considered distilled water as it may contain other substances as it passes through different stages of the water cycle.

Does distilled water dehydrate you?

Yes. Distilled water does not contain the essential minerals and ions like regular water. Therefore, it may cause dehydration.

Is distilled water good for diabetics?

People with diabetes may consume distilled water as a part of a healthy and balanced diet. However, since it doesn’t contain essential minerals and ions, there might be a risk of dehydration. Consult your doctor before drinking distilled water.

Is distilled water good for acne?

Washing your face with distilled water may help prevent acne. Since it doesn’t contain contaminants, it won’t clog the pores and irritate the skin.

Does distilled water moisturize skin?

Yes. Distilled water may moisturize the skin, just like regular water. It is also widely used in cosmetic formulations like lotions, creams, and toners.

Sources

Was this article helpful?

The following two tabs change content below.

• Reviewer
• Author

Madison DufourBarber & Cosmetologist

     

Madison Dufour is a licensed and practicing barber and cosmetologist with 10 years of experience, as well as an entrepreneur running several hair businesses, including MadisonD Barbering and The Exquisite Find Hair Blog. After working behind the chair for several years, she felt the calling to start the non-profit Barber in a Bag that teaches basic hair cutting skills in...more

Arshiya SyedaEditor

 

Arshiya Syeda is a senior editor at StyleCraze with 7 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer and combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care. She holds a bachelor's degree in literature and psychology from Osmania University, Hyderabad, and a post-graduate diploma in psychological...more