[Life in Spain] Your Only Enemy: Don't Let Hard Water Get the Best of You!
Did you know that water in Spain is hard, while in Japan it is soft, and that the hardness levels differ? Hardness is determined by the proportion of magnesium and calcium contained in the water. So, what kind of changes does this difference in water bring to daily life?
Bitter water
When I visited Barcelona and Valencia, the first time I felt the difference in water quality was when I tried to gargle.
“Hmm? It’s bitter!”
Perhaps due to habit, I rarely taste anything in Japanese tap water. However, because hard water contains minerals, I felt a slight bitterness. If you are traveling, you can use bottled water, and if you aren't bothered by it, I think it's fine to use as is.
The thing you need to be most careful about is the “shower”!!!
First of all, soap and shampoo won't lather. You end up using twice the amount, or you have to wash twice just to get it to work. Even after using conditioner, my hair feels stiff. I never feel like I've washed it clean. Especially in the summer, since I use sunscreen generously, I struggled to wash until the water-repellent feeling was gone, so a slow, enjoyable bath time was not to be. It was a battle between my desire to wash it all off and the completely uncooperative hard water, and I was exhausted by the time I got out.
The added blow of dryness
The humidity in Spain is quite low, to the point where water droplets disappear as soon as you get out of the sea.
After a bath is no exception; the moisture in your skin is sucked into the air in the blink of an eye. Wait, come back! (crying)
I personally thought I would be fine since my skin type isn't affected by climate or physical condition, but my heels became rough in just one day. You shouldn't underestimate it.
My hair also felt stiff even after applying conditioner and blow-drying. I was glad I had cut it short by 30cm before my visit. It's hard to wash long hair, and above all, I didn't think I could bear the sadness of having hair that I spent time caring for every day turn into a scouring pad in an instant. I decided to think, “It’s not as bad as the humidity of a Japanese summer!”
It's important to look at changes positively to live happily, isn't it?
I recommend these countermeasures
I will introduce other things that are practiced as countermeasures for hard water. I don't practice all of these myself, but I am searching daily for things that don't place too much of a burden on my time and money.
Use a wipe-off type cleanser and keep tap water off your face as much as possible.
Don't wash your face in the morning. Use a cotton pad with toner to wipe it off.
Use a face mask every day.
Use only cleanser and no face wash. It seems this is better for men too.
Do not get your face wet when showering.
Use bottled water in a basin to wash your face.
Apply baby oil after bathing.
You might think some of these are excessive, but it shows how much of an impact water has on the skin. Hard water doesn't mix well with the ingredients in soaps, and since it can't be washed off thoroughly and remains in the pores, I don't recommend increasing the amount of soap you use. If it remains in the pores, hair loss increases, and your hair will thin out. This is also a significant risk for men.
If you are planning a long-term stay, I think it's a good idea to take some measures!
Here is a savior!!!
Good news for those who say, "Wouldn't it be fine if we just turned hard water into soft water?"
There are products that can soften hard water!
I installed this.
It might look like an advertisement, so I would appreciate it if you could search for the details yourself.
I don't know the effects yet, but I want to live my life relying on something that offers hope.
Water quality varies by region: Barcelona has super hard water, Valencia has hard water, and Madrid has softer water than Japan.
It might be useful to know this.
Finally
Changes in water quality have a big impact on daily life. However, fortunately, in modern society, you can get closer to a Japanese lifestyle by taking various measures.
It's okay!
Let's enjoy Spain, a country with delicious food, an easygoing and sociable national character, and a country loved by the sun!
Adios!
