If you’re reading this Hello Klean review, chances are you’re also suffering with dry hair and skin — and have realised that the water in your area could be somewhat responsible. You see, 60% of homes across the UK have tap water that is classified as ‘hard’ — meaning it contains heavy minerals like magnesium and calcium. Plus, metals and other impurities that can really compromise the health of our hair and skin. Gross.
As well as causing limescale build-up, hard water is harsh on sensitive skin, and irritates and intensifies existing conditions like eczema and psoriasis. On the hair front, it makes hair dryer, coarser, and more brittle — especially for those with curly hair types. And if that’s not enough, it can also even bring about dandruff and other scalp issues.
London and areas of the South East are notorious hard water areas — but aside from upping sticks and relocating, for a long time there was nothing we could do about it. Then Hello Klean burst on the scene in 2019 with their original best-selling water filter — followed by the Purifying Shower Head 1.0 — the shower head filter that went completely viral on TikTok. In the years since, they've released a slew of hair and body products, acquired backing and investment on Dragons' Den, rebranded, and upgraded the tech of their original filters. Impressive, huh?
To help those intrigued, I installed the Hello Klean Shower Filter 2.0 in my own home — and have written all about the experience and results below. Plus, at the bottom of the page, you'll find answers to all those key Hello Klean FAQs. Thank me later.
SKIP TO: Our full review | Shop Hello Klean hair and body products | Why is hard water bad for your hair? | How does the Hello Klean shower filter work? | Is the Hello Klean shower filter easy to install? | What's the deal with refills? | What are the brand's sustainability credentials?
How We Test:
You can trust GLAMOUR's product reviews. When testing hair tools and gadgets – like the Hello Klean shower filter or hair straighteners, hair dryers and curling wands – we aim to review for at least a week. We will assess each products' performance thoroughly. Is it easy to use? Does it deliver on its promise of barrel curls or silky smooth strands in minutes? We also take into account how innovative the technology is and value for money.
GLAMOUR's Hello Klean review:
As a long-term sufferer of eczema with pretty sensitive skin, I have always had to be careful with the products I slather on my face and body — and over the past decade, I've become pretty hawk-eye at decoding INCI lists and eliminating pesky ingredients that can cause nasty flare-ups. But it wasn't until relatively recently that I started to give the same kind of thought to the water I was showering in everyday — spurred on by realising that my hair and skin are always a lot less dry after spending a week with my parents in Devon, where the water is super soft.
The Hello Klean Shower Filter 2.0 is built with dry and sensitive skin in mind, so it seemed like an obvious thing for me to try back in my home in London. My hair is also on the thirsty side – largely due to the fact I have been signed up to the bleach blonde club for over 15 years. I was therefore looking forward to seeing the improvements it could have in that area too.
I'm pretty happy with the shower head I've got, so I opted for the filter instead — which was thankfully just as easy to install as promised on the website. From the first wash, I noticed my hair was a little softer than usual and easier to tame with my comb. I was impressed. Over the next few weeks I noticed this pattern continued and quickly became a convert to the water filtration life.
I've used the filter for a few months now, and measuring the impact it's had on my eczema flare-ups is a little tricky — as this is something I have had since childhood, and seems to go up and down without any rhyme or reason. But my skin definitely feels a little less tight and dry when I get out of the shower — which is enough alone to keep me hooked.
I also love to soak in bath oils to soothe my eczema, but doing so has seemed rather counterintuitive since discovering the negative effects of hard water. But knowing I now have the filter provides real peace of mind — I just keep my filter in its usual place, and let the bath fill up from the shower running.
In terms of aesthetics, Hello Klean certainly offers the most sleek and stylish selection of shower filters. The filter comes in chrome, black, and beige, so you'll have no problem finding one that works seamlessly with the style of your bathroom. In terms of price, £45 feels pretty reasonable for a product that's been truly designed to last — and it even attaches to the shower without affecting the shower head itself in any way.
However, if you're not that fussed about your current set-up, and like the sound of installing a filtered shower head, you'll be pleased to hear that there are two different types available. The Hello Klean Rain Shower, while the Hello Klean Shower Head 2.0 is a great handheld option — and is an upgrade on the original version.
I also really appreciated the sustainable credentials. No one wants to be wasting unnecessary plastic — so the fact that the refill capsules can be recycled is a real bonus. The capsules are £28, and you'll need to replace them every three months — but if you sign up to their subscription plan you'll have a new one sent automatically to your door every three months for £25. This comes in at less than £10 a month, which is pretty decent — especially considering it'll make your haircare products work harder, and potentially even eliminate the need for additional ones.
All in all, the Hello Klean Shower Filter 2.0 gets a resounding yes from me. I loved the way it made my hair feel softer, and will do anything to help keep my eczema at bay – even if it’s not making a noticeable difference straight away. It's changed my shower routine for the better, and my hair and skin finally feels just as soft and soothed as it does after a week spent lapping up the beautifully soft water at my parents' place in Devon.
Shop Hello Klean hair and body products:
The shower filters are undeniably brilliant — but the hair and body products are also deserving of some serious recognition. Made with an optimal pH level, the Full Length Anti-Breakage Hard Water Shampoo keeps hard water crystals from clinging to your strands, and protects against breakage — all without stripping your hair’s natural oils. And if you're a brunette who fears brassiness, follow-up with the Smooth Talk Anti-Fading Dark Hair Conditioner, which stops the heavy minerals and metals found in hard water from turning your hair a warmer tone — while also strengthening, reducing breakage, and smoothing frizz.
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Another product that was given a serious revamp in 2024, the Blank Space Body Anti-KP Body Wash has been designed for people prone to itchy and bumpy skin. The upgraded formula features the brand's Klean Complex™ — which is a blend of gentle chelators and 15 amino acids that work to neutralise hard water minerals, stop build-up, and nourish and repair the skin barrier. Plus, active ingredients like salicylic acid and niacinamide have also been included to help exfoliate rough and bumpy skin caused by keratosis pilaris, and calm any redness and irritation.
Hello Klean FAQs:
Why is hard water bad for your hair?
Hard water contains minerals, heavy metals, chlorine and other contaminants. For the skin, hard water creates soap scum that settles on the skin which saps away moisture, making the skin drier and increasing the chance of congested and bumpy skin. This means eczema, psoriasis, rashes, dry skin and body acne are more common.
As for your hair, the minerals found in hard water penetrate the hair and crystallise it as it dries, which causes a crispy feeling to the hair and makes it more prone to breakages and sometimes even hair loss.
Hair issues with hard water include dryness, discolouration and dandruff. Another issue with hard water is that the products you use don’t lather as well when combined with it. Not only does that mean the products themselves aren’t as efficient, but it also means you'll experience a buildup of product residue and minerals which can cause itchiness – and the skin or scalp to flake.
Hello Klean is clear that there is no magic cure for conditions like hair thinning, psoriasis and eczema – but are keen to spread the word that water affects your skin and hair just as much as the shampoo and conditioner you use. The Hello Klean Shower Filter is all about prevention for those living with hard water, and helping users achieve as healthy hair and healthy skin as they possibly can.
How does the Hello Klean shower filter work?
The stainless steel mesh captures any large sediment in the water while calcium sulphite removes chlorines, KDF 55 targets minerals and residual chlorine and granular activated carbon remove bacteria, mould and odours. Lastly, ceramic beads help to balance your shower water's pH level.
Is the Hello Klean shower filter easy to install?
You may think you need a plumber to install something in your shower, but Hello Klean have made the whole process very easy. It takes two minutes to install and – most importantly – no tools are needed. Once you’ve got the filter out the box, you remove the white and blue plugs from each end. Then you remove the cord from the tap in your shower (it should just twist or pull off) and connect the shower filter on before connecting the cord back on the end.
Simply run the water for 30 seconds and it’s good to go. For awkward spacing or taps located close to the wall (less than 2.5cm space), you'll need the brand’s Shower Adapter to lengthen the distance. However, they report that only around roughly 3% of customers encounter this issue.
What's the deal with refills?
When you buy your first aluminium shower filter, it comes with the first capsule inside. This lasts for 13,000 litres of water, which is around 3 months for a household of 3, 4 months for a household of 2 and 5 months for a household of 1.
When you need to swap the filter over, you remove the shower filter, unscrew the top or bottom cap, swap with a new refill capsule and reattach the shower filter onto your tap. To save money and never be without a refill, Hello Klean offers a handy subscription service where you can receive a new filter in the post every three, four of six months.
What are the brand's sustainability credentials?
Hello Klean are sustainably-focused and the refillable, aluminium design uses 70% less plastic than most brands.
The shower filters are recyclable and refillable while the keep-forever aluminium filter comes housed in a plastic-free FSC certified box and is delivered by Carbon conscious shipping.
