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March 12, 20260 citationsOpen Access

ICE-8™: Rationale for Water Hardness as an Independent Variable in the Cutaneous Exposome Index for Latin America

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WSWiller de Souza

Key Points

  • The aim is to establish water hardness as an independent variable in the Cutaneous Exposome Index for Latin America.
  • Comparison of water hardness levels across major Latin American cities.
  • Analysis of its effects on trans epidermal water loss and microbiome disruption.
  • Evaluation of its impact on cleansing efficacy.
  • Water hardness ranges from 18 mg/L in Belém to 320 mg/L in Mar del Plata.
  • Hard water increases trans epidermal water loss by 25%.
  • Hard water disrupts skin microbiome through pH shift.

Abstract

Water hardness varies up to 17-fold across major Latin American cities (Belém 18 mg/L vs. Mar del Plata 320 mg/L). This technical note proposes and justifies the elevation of water hardness to an independent eighth dimension in the Cutaneous Exposome Index (ICE-8™), calibrated for Latin American populations. Hard water is associated with TEWL +25%, cutaneous microbiome disruption via pH shift, and reduced cleansing efficacy — mechanisms absent from all existing exposome frameworks.

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Cite This Study

Willer de Souza (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69b25b0996eeacc4fcec9595https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18944760
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