How to Select The Correct Shower Filter

At Santé for Health, we know that picking the right shower filter isn’t always straightforward — especially when water quality can vary so much from one home to the next.

This guide will help you understand your options, the science behind each filter, and how to select the best match for your needs — whether you’re on city water, well water, or somewhere in between.

🚿 Step 1: What’s In Your Water?

The first step in choosing a filter is understanding what you’re trying to remove.

• City water is typically treated with chlorine or chloramine to disinfect the supply. These chemicals can irritate skin, damage hair, and even affect hormones over time.

• Well water often contains naturally occurring contaminants like iron, sulfur, and manganese — which can turn hair orange, stain surfaces, and cause unpleasant odors.

Not sure what’s in your water?
Reach out — we’re happy to help you decipher what’s in your local water or water report, if you have one.

🧪 Step 2: Understand What Media Really Works

Not all shower filters are created equal — and not all filtration media are effective in a hot, high-pressure shower environment. Here’s what really works (and what doesn’t):

🟡 KDF (Kinetic Degradation Fluxion)

• A high-performance copper-zinc media that actually becomes more effective in hot water

• Targets: chlorine, heavy metals (like lead and mercury), bacteria, and scale

• Found in nearly all of our high-performance filters — especially strong for city water

🔴 GAC (Granular Activated Carbon)

• Not suitable for shower use — standard carbon degrades in hot water and may support bacterial growth

• Often used in inexpensive filters, but not recommended for real-world shower performance

✅ Centaur® Catalytic Carbon

• A specialty carbon engineered to work in hot water

• Targets chloramine, VOCs, and chemical byproducts that standard carbon can’t handle

• Used in our City Water Dual Ultimate filter for advanced contaminant control without sacrificing flow or safety

💧 SIR‑900

• A resin-based media designed specifically for reducing fluoride, arsenic, and lead

• Rarely found in shower filters — but included in our City Water Dual Ultimate for deeper protection

• Adds another layer of defense for families concerned about long-term exposure to toxins that aren’t visible, but may impact skin, hair, and health

🏠 Step 3: Choose Your Filter Based on Water Type

✅ City Water Dual Ultimate Shower Filter

Our most comprehensive, skin-loving filter — and the strongest city water shower filter in the world.

• Targets: iron, hydrogen sulfide (sulfur), manganese, lead, and heavy metals
  
• Stops hair discoloration and damage from water-borne metals
  
• Soothes irritated skin and scalp, reducing dryness and flaking
  
• Great for chemically sensitive individuals, children, the elderly, and those with asthma or allergies
  
• Replace every 9–12 months

Also available with a hand-held shower wand (Item #85087HH)

💡 On Well Water?

 If your well is low in sulfur or iron (or pre-treated), the City Water Dual Ultimate may still be a great fit. We’re happy to review your water report and guide you to the right filter.

✅ Well Water Dual Ultimate Shower Filter

If your hair is turning orange or red from iron, copper, rust, or sediment and you have well water — we have the filter for you.

We’ve been working with our clients for years to develop a shower filter that corrects the issues that come with well water. You need a KDF shower filter — not carbon, which doesn’t work in hot water. The more KDF, the better — and this filter contains two full 100% KDF filters, making it the strongest shower filter in the world for well water)

• Targets: iron, hydrogen sulfide (sulfur), manganese, lead, and heavy metals
• Stops hair discoloration and damage from water-borne metals
• Soothes irritated skin and scalp, reducing dryness and flaking
• Great for chemically sensitive individuals, children, the elderly, and those with
• asthma or allergies
• Replace every 9–12 months
• Also available with a hand-held shower wand (Item #85087HH

✅ The Destroyer — 100% KDF Shower Filter

No carbon. No fluff. Just serious filtration for extreme conditions.

• Filled with 100% KDF 55 — no carbon, no gimmicks
• Targets chlorine, metals, and bacteria with maximum contact time
• Extra-strength design for high-demand households or extremely harsh water
• Especially good for homes with very high chlorine levels
• Replace every 6–9 months
• Available in chrome (Item #49785C) or white (Item #49790)

✅ Aquapure Pro Shower Filter

Sleek, powerful, and ideal for everyday filtration in cleaner city water.

• Reduces chlorine, scale, and contaminants that irritate skin and dry out hair
• High-efficiency 4000 MK-808 cartridge
• The 8-stage system includes KDF, ceramic balls, activated carbon, and calcium sulfite.
• Supports better hydration, softer skin, and smoother hair
• Universal fit and easy install
• Replace every 6–9 months
• Perfect for apartments, guest bathrooms, or anyone wanting compact performance without sacrificing protection.

📊 Quick Comparison Chart

Subscription options are available for all refillable filters.

 

🔁 How Often Do You Need to Replace the Filter?

• City & Well Water Dual Ultimate: Every 9–12 months

• The Destroyer: Every 6–9 months

• Aquapure Pro: Every 6–9 months

We offer refill subscriptions every 6, 9, or 12 months — and we’ll still send our annual postcard reminders to help you stay on track.

🧠 Need Help Deciding?

We’re here to take the guesswork out of it. Send us your water report, or let us know your concerns — and we’ll point you to the best match.