October 21, 2026

Winter Shower Water in the North: What Changes and How to Care for Your Skin

Winter in Minnesota, Michigan and New England changes a lot about daily life. Your shower changes too. The air inside gets drier. Your city may be working on the water pipes. And some weeks, your water might smell a bit more like chlorine.

None of this is a reason to worry. But it helps to know what's going on. That way, you can adjust your routine and keep your skin and hair comfortable until spring.

What Changes in Your Water Over Winter

Your water is treated the same way all year. But in colder states, a few things can change how it looks, smells and feels by the time it reaches your shower.

Pipe flushing

Over time, sediment (tiny bits of grit and rust) settles inside water pipes. To clear it out, cities flush their pipes by running lots of water through them quickly. This usually happens in spring and fall. It also happens after a water main breaks, which is more common when the ground freezes and thaws.

While this is going on, your water might look cloudy or brownish for a while. The pressure might drop a little. It might also smell more like chlorine than usual.

Most cities give the same simple advice. Try not to use hot water while crews are working nearby. Afterward, run your cold taps until the water looks clear. If it still looks discolored after a few hours, call your water company.

Changes to how your water is cleaned

Cities add a disinfectant to tap water to keep it clean on its way to your home. Most use chlorine. Some use chloramine, which is chlorine mixed with a small amount of ammonia.

Some cities that use chloramine switch to plain chlorine for a few weeks each year. This helps keep their pipes clean. Pipe flushing can also raise chlorine levels for a short time. Either way, you might notice a stronger chlorine smell in the shower.

Your water company usually lets you know before this happens. You can also check its yearly water quality report. It tells you which disinfectant your city uses and what's in your water. It's a simple way to get to know your water.

Arriving at a cabin or second home

If you have a lake cabin or a winter getaway, water can sit in the pipes for weeks between visits. When you arrive, run each tap for a few minutes before you shower. This clears out old water and any loose grit.

Many cabins in the north also use well water. That's worth keeping in mind when you choose a filter.

Why Your Skin Feels Drier in Winter

The main reason is the air. Cold air outside holds very little moisture. Then your heating dries the air inside even more.

Skin doctors say about 60% humidity is ideal for skin. But in winter, most heated homes sit closer to 30 to 40%.

A long, hot shower feels great when it's freezing outside. But it can leave your skin feeling tight afterward. A few small changes can help:

Keep showers to about 5 to 10 minutes.
Use warm water, not hot.
Put on moisturizer while your skin is still damp. This helps hold in some of the water.
Run a humidifier in your bedroom at night. Clean it often.
Use a gentle soap or body wash that doesn't leave your skin feeling tight.

How a Shower Filter Can Help

A shower filter can't change the weather or the air in your home. What it can do is reduce chlorine, one of the most common irritants in everyday tap water. It also catches sediment before it reaches your skin and hair.

That makes it an easy first step in a kinder winter routine.

Aquabliss filters fit between your shower arm (the pipe that comes out of the wall) and your shower head. They take under 2 minutes to put in. You don't need any tools. They fit any standard ½ inch shower arm, so there's no plumber and nothing permanent.

Which Filter Is Right for You?

Aquabliss Daily Revitalize Shower Filter (SF100): for everyday use

Reduces chlorine and catches sediment
Contains Vitamin C filtration media
Designed for sensitive skin, and kinder to skin and hair with regular use
Comes in five finishes to match your bathroom

Aquabliss Daily Revitalize+ Shower Filter (SF400): for water with more grit

40% more filter material than the SF100, and double the Vitamin C
Recommended for heavy sediment, which helps if your city flushes pipes often
Comes with 2 sediment guards already fitted. These are small screens that catch bigger bits of grit.

Aquabliss Daily Essential+ Heavy Duty Shower Filter (SF500): for older homes and well water

44% more filter material than standard shower filters
Recommended for heavy sediment, and suitable for well water
Reduces chlorine and THMs (by-products that can form when chlorine is added to water)
Comes with 2 sediment guards that rinse clean in seconds

Aquabliss Daily Essential Shower Filter (SF220): for the cabin

A simple filter with three layers that work together to reduce chlorine and catch sediment
Suitable for well water, so it's a good fit for a lake house or country home
Works in both hot and cold water

When to Change Your Cartridge

The cartridge is the part inside your filter that does the work. Each one lasts 3 to 6 months, depending on your water.

If your city has done a lot of pipe flushing or repairs, check your filter a little sooner. If you have the SF400 or SF500, check the sediment guards too. They're easy to reach and rinse clean in seconds.

Here's an easy habit: change your cartridge when you turn the heating on. That way, you start the driest months with a fresh filter.

Daily Revitalize Shower Filter on a white background

SF400 Daily Revitalize+ Shower Filter

$38.99

Double the Vitamin C + Minerals than SF100

Previously known as SF400 Revitalizing Shower Filter

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my water smell more like chlorine some weeks?

It's usually routine work on the pipes. Cities may raise chlorine levels while they flush pipes. Some also switch from chloramine to plain chlorine for a few weeks a year. Your water company usually shares the dates on its website.

Can I shower if my water looks cloudy after pipe flushing?

Follow your water company's advice. Most say to run your cold water until it looks clear. If it's still discolored after a few hours, give them a call.

Will a shower filter fix dry winter skin?

Not on its own. Dry air and hot showers are the main causes. A filter reduces chlorine and catches sediment, which may help reduce irritation linked to water quality. It works best alongside shorter, warm showers, a good moisturizer and a humidifier.

Which filter should I use at a cabin with well water?

The Daily Essential (SF220) and the Daily Essential+ (SF500) are the Aquabliss filters suitable for well water. If your well water is gritty, the SF500 is the better choice.