The worst five areas for overall skin and hair health
From our analysis, we found that South London and Kent are the worst areas to live for overall skin and hair health. London is renowned for high levels of air pollution and hard water so for people living in this area, looking after skin and hair health is vital.
The area scored 95 out of 100 in the weighted rank based on combined metrics measuring the levels of water and air pollutants. The area has the highest average of calcium (152.6) and magnesium (610.1) levels in their water sources. Plus the highest levels of nitrogen oxide (0.0998) and sulphur dioxide (0.0097).
South London and Kent also rank as the worst areas to live when considering skin and hair health as individual factors, with a weighted score of 99 for both. Shockingly, South London has 137% more air pollutants than the national average.
South London also has a staggering 1,000% more magnesium in its water supply than the average across England. The higher the presence of these chemicals in water means the water is much harder, which can have a damaging effect on hair health.
On the other side of the Thames, the West scored 60 out of 100 in our study. The area has an average calcium level of 113.1 and an average magnesium level of 8.8 in its water sources.
Despite having lower levels of magnesium, there are high levels of harmful compounds within the air, with data revealing levels of nitrogen oxide at 0.0830 and sulphur dioxide at 0.0086.
North London & Hertfordshire also made the list, with an average calcium level of 123.9 and an average magnesium level of 11.9 in its water sources.
Although magnesium levels are higher here than West Thames, the levels of air pollutants are notably lower meaning North London & Hertfordshire ranks at number three with a score of 57 out of 100.