When you think of vitamin C, your mind probably jumps to oranges, immune support, or those fizzy little tablets we reach for at the first sign of a sniffle. But what if we told you this powerhouse antioxidant has a role to play in your shower, too?
In our Fettle shower filter, Vitamin C is one of the quiet achievers behind the scenes but it plays a huge role. Let’s unpack what it does, why it’s used in high-quality shower filters, and how it can upgrade your daily ritual, your shower.
What is Vitamin C?
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin that our bodies can’t produce on their own. It’s well known for its role in supporting skin health, fighting free radicals, and helping the body produce collagen. But beyond what it does inside the body, vitamin C also has some remarkable properties when used externally, particularly when it comes to neutralising chemicals in water.
There are actually several forms of vitamin C used in skincare and wellness products. The one most often found in shower filters is ascorbic acid or its close relative, sodium ascorbate. These forms are not only effective at delivering antioxidant benefits, they also react in a unique way with common water contaminants.
Why is Vitamin C in a Shower Filter?
In Australia, most municipal water supplies are treated with chlorine or chloramines (a mix of chlorine and ammonia) to disinfect the water. While this makes our water safe to drink, these chemicals can be harsh on skin, hair, and even the respiratory system, especially when inhaled in steam during a hot shower.
This is where vitamin C comes in.
Vitamin C is one of the few known substances that can neutralise both chlorine and chloramines on contact. It works through a process called a redox reaction (a bit of a chemistry lesson here) where the vitamin C donates electrons to the chlorine molecules, effectively breaking them down into harmless components.
Put simply, when water passes through a filter containing vitamin C, those harsh chemicals are neutralised before they ever touch your skin or lungs.
What Are the Benefits?
The beauty of vitamin C in your shower filter is that its benefits are both immediate & long-term and they’re not just skin-deep.
1. Gentler on Skin
Chlorine and chloramines strip away natural oils from the skin, which can lead to dryness, irritation, and flare-ups for people with sensitive skin conditions like eczema or dermatitis. Removing these chemicals helps preserve your skin’s natural barrier, leading to softer, calmer skin after every wash.
2. Healthier Hair
Just as chlorine can dry out your skin, it also weakens hair strands, fades colour, and contributes to scalp irritation. With vitamin C in your shower filter, your hair is less exposed to these drying agents, which means stronger, shinier, and more resilient locks over time.
3. Supports Respiratory Health
Inhaling chlorinated steam can aggravate the respiratory system, particularly for children, asthmatics, or anyone with sensitive airways. By neutralising chlorine in the water before it becomes steam, vitamin C helps create a cleaner, safer shower environment.
4. A Touch of Antioxidant Support
While the main role of vitamin C in a filter is chemical neutralisation, it may also offer a subtle antioxidant benefit to the skin. This means helping to protect skin from free radical damage caused by environmental stressors, a bonus in our sun-drenched Aussie climate.
More Than Just Clean Water
Choosing a shower filter with vitamin C isn’t just about avoiding chemicals, it’s about creating a wellness ritual that supports your skin, your hair, and your overall sense of balance.
Vitamin C helps us enhance the everyday, bringing a layer of intention and care to one of the most routine parts of our day. And that, to us, is what true wellness looks like!
Thoughtful, science-backed, and beautifully simple - Fettle x
