Our Honest Review of the Act+Acre Showerhead Influencers Are Obsessed With

I have lived in four states with four different climates over the last decade, and with each move came unique challenges in my beauty routines that I had to learn to navigate — at this point, managing the switch from dry, desert-like conditions to humidity should go on my resume. But when I moved to Los Angeles three years ago, I wasn’t prepared for the toll the city’s hard water would take on my hair and skin.

It wasn’t long before I learned that a filter was the best way to combat the harsh sediment and buildup in the water, but installing one in my leased apartment felt like a lot of work. When I finally got the chance to try out the Act+Acre Filtered Showerhead I realized how wrong I was about the installation process, and I finally understood how many benefits I had been missing out on over the years.

How does the Act+Acre showerhead work?

Act+Acre’s Filtered Showerhead is designed to specifically tackle contaminants that are found in hard water, including chlorine, chloramines, heavy metals, bacteria, and algae, which are known to cause dryness, inflammation, and irritation. Similarly to other shower head filters on the market, the filter achieves filtration through KDF-55. The Act+Acre filter also uses calcium sulfite and coconut activated carbon to filter unwanted chemicals.

The showerhead comes with the filter already installed, though the brand recommends replacing the inserted filter every three months for optimal efficacy. The installation process was simple, requiring you to remove your shower head, apply plumber’s tape around the spout, insert a water flow restrictor if necessary, and screw on your new shower head. All required tools came with the showerhead, including a small wrench, tape, and water flow restrictors, which are used based on your state’s regulations. Since I live in California, I inserted the 1.8 GPM (gallons per minute) flow restrictor into my shower head before installation.

Do I need a filtered showerhead?

A shower filter is a great option for anyone wanting to ensure their water is free from harsh metals and chemicals, and Act+Acre considers their product to be a universal showerhead that improves scalp health as well as hair strength and shine. Depending on your state’s water conditions, though, you might be a more prime candidate for the showerhead.

It’s a well-known fact that Los Angeles has hard water, so I knew it was a beneficial product for me from the start. If you’re curious about your tap water, you can test the chemical levels and determine if a showerhead filter will be beneficial for you. You can also check whether or not your area has hard water here.

How We Tested

To understand the full impact the Act+Acre Filtered Showerhead had on my hair, skin, and scalp, I tested the filter over the course of a month. I made note of the installation process, how it felt after the first use, and finally checked in periodically on potential improvement in dryness, inflammation, frizziness, or irritation I had experienced before installation. I also made note of any changes in the overall function of the showerhead, including water pressure and special features.

What we liked about the Act+Acre showerhead

I should first state my reservations about installing a filtered showerhead. In addition to the installation process, which I mentioned was easier than anticipated, I was also concerned that it would drastically affect my shower’s water pressure. California has regulations around water flow, so I knew my showerhead would require the strongest water flow restrictor, which is 1.8 GPM. Despite having the restrictor in, the showerhead flowed with the same pressure as my previous showerhead. It also has more spouts, which resulted in a softer stream of water than I had before.

I have been taking multiple steps to improve my hair texture and scalp health recently, so I should disclaim that my improvements might possibly be from a myriad of products. Though, I do believe I wouldn’t have noticed any improvement had I not fixed the source of the problem — the water quality — first.

My scalp started out flaky, itchy, and, as confirmed by my dermatologist, quite dry. As a result, my hair was difficult to manage, frizzy, and would become greasy within a day of washing. From the first wash with the Act+Acre Filtered Showerhead, my hair was noticeably softer. It also air-dried more smoothly and had an overall lighter feel — almost like I could feel the sediment’s absence on my scalp. After a month of using the showerhead, I noticed I could go longer between washing and still wear my hair down and styled. The inflammation I once noticed on my scalp has drastically reduced, which has resulted in healthier hair overall.

What we didn’t like about the Act+Acre showerhead

The only downside of the Act+Acre Filtered Showerhead was the lack of added features, including a detachable wand and variation in water streams that other showerheads feature. With that being said, filtered showerheads that have these added features seem to be significantly pricier than this one.

Bottom Line: Who should buy this?

While I’ve only had the Act+Acre Filtered Showerhead for just over a month, it has already proved to be a relatively small change to my apartment that yielded noticeable and substantial results. Based on my experience, this filtered showerhead would be beneficial to anyone who believes the root cause of their poor scalp and hair health is their water quality, and I do believe the effectiveness would likely rely on your starting water quality. That being said, for $120, it’s a quality showerhead that, at minimum, elevates your shower experience due to the luxe design and soft water stream.