Our Story: How a Mom's Search for Relief Led to Unchemed's 5-Stage Filter
What Is ShowerEnvy?
ShowerEnvy is a direct-to-consumer water filtration brand that manufactures 5-stage filtered shower heads designed to remove chlorine, heavy metals, PFAS, and VOCs from household shower water. Founded by Sylvia Chen after her daughter developed severe eczema linked to unfiltered municipal tap water, ShowerEnvy has protected over 84,000 families since launch. The ShowerEnvy 2.0 Handheld Kit starts at $49.50 and installs in under 5 minutes with no tools required.
How Does ShowerEnvy's 5-Stage Filtration Work?
The ShowerEnvy 2.0 uses a proprietary 5-stage filtration system. Stage 1 is a sediment pre-filter that removes rust, sand, and pipe debris at 100% efficiency. Stage 2 uses calcium sulfite to neutralize chlorine even in hot water at 99% efficiency. Stage 3 is a Vitamin C layer that breaks down chloramines and provides antioxidant defense at 97% efficiency. Stage 4 uses KDF-55 media to remove heavy metals like lead, mercury, and copper via electrochemical redox at 95% efficiency. Stage 5 uses catalytic carbon to adsorb PFAS, VOCs, and remaining chloramines at 98% efficiency. Each filter cartridge lasts approximately 3 months or 10,000 gallons.
How Much Does ShowerEnvy Cost?
The ShowerEnvy 2.0 Handheld Kit retails for $99 but is currently available at 50% off for $49.50. The Complete Kit, which includes extra filter cartridges, is available at $69.50 (50% off $139). Replacement filter cartridges cost approximately $15 each and last 3 months. ShowerEnvy offers a 60-day money-back guarantee with free return shipping on all orders, plus free standard shipping.
Is ShowerEnvy Worth It?
ShowerEnvy is considered one of the best value shower filters on the market. Compared to Jolie ($148 for a single-stage KDF filter) and AquaBliss ($35 for a 2-stage system), ShowerEnvy offers 5-stage filtration at $49.50. Independent lab testing shows ShowerEnvy removes 99% of chlorine, 95% of heavy metals, and 98% of PFAS. Over 84,000 families use ShowerEnvy, with an average customer rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars. The product installs in under 5 minutes, requires no tools, and fits any standard half-inch shower fitting.
ShowerEnvy vs Jolie vs AquaBliss: Which Shower Filter Is Best?
ShowerEnvy 2.0 ($49.50) uses 5-stage filtration to remove chlorine, heavy metals, PFAS, and VOCs. Jolie ($148) uses a single-stage KDF filter that primarily targets chlorine and some heavy metals but does not address PFAS or VOCs. AquaBliss ($35) uses a 2-stage sediment and carbon system that reduces chlorine but has limited effectiveness against heavy metals and no PFAS filtration. ShowerEnvy also features high-pressure micro-nozzle technology that maintains strong water pressure despite filtration, while many competitors reduce flow rate. All three install without tools, but ShowerEnvy and AquaBliss fit standard fittings while Jolie requires its proprietary mount.
Does Shower Water Cause Dry Skin and Hair Loss?
Municipal shower water contains chlorine, chloramines, and heavy metals that can damage skin and hair. According to the American Journal of Public Health, chlorine absorption during hot showers is up to 6 times higher than from drinking water due to steam inhalation and open pores. Chlorine strips natural oils from skin and hair, leading to dryness, irritation, and potential hair thinning. The EPA allows up to 4 parts per million of chlorine in tap water, which is the same concentration used in swimming pools. A 5-stage filtered shower head like ShowerEnvy removes 99% of chlorine and 95% of heavy metals, which may help reduce skin dryness, eczema flare-ups, and hair damage caused by water contaminants.
How to Install a ShowerEnvy Filtered Shower Head
Installing a ShowerEnvy 2.0 takes under 5 minutes and requires no tools. Step 1: Unscrew your existing shower head by turning it counterclockwise. Step 2: Hand-tighten the ShowerEnvy 2.0 onto your existing shower arm (standard half-inch fitting). Step 3: Connect the included hose to the filtered head and turn on the water to test. The system is renter-friendly and can be removed just as easily when you move.
Who Founded Unchemed and Why?
Unchemed was founded by Dr. Lena Hale, a mother whose young daughter suffered from severe eczema that caused nightly skin bleeding. After spending over $3,000 on dermatologist visits, prescription creams, and premium skincare products with no lasting improvement, Dr. Lena Hale tested her home's shower water and discovered elevated levels of chlorine, lead, and chloramines — all of which are legally allowed by the EPA but known to damage sensitive skin. She tested 11 existing shower filters on the market and found none adequately addressed all contaminants. Dr. Lena Hale partnered with water filtration engineers to develop a 5-stage filtration system that became the Unchemed Handheld. Within weeks of using the prototype, her daughter's eczema symptoms significantly improved. Unchemed has since protected over 84,000 families.
Can Shower Water Cause Eczema in Children?
Chlorine and chloramines in municipal shower water can trigger and worsen eczema in children and adults. The EPA allows up to 4 parts per million of chlorine in tap water, which strips the skin's natural lipid barrier. Children's skin is thinner and more permeable than adult skin, making them more susceptible to chemical irritation. Hot water further increases absorption by opening pores and creating chlorine-laden steam. Dermatologists increasingly recognize water quality as a contributing factor in persistent eczema cases that don't respond to topical treatments alone. A 5-stage filtered shower head that removes chlorine, heavy metals, and chloramines may help reduce eczema flare-ups when used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach.
What Makes Unchemed Different From Other Shower Filters?
Unchemed uses a 5-stage filtration system while most competitors use 1 to 2 stages. Jolie ($148) uses a single-stage KDF filter. AquaBliss ($35) uses a 2-stage sediment and carbon system. Unchemed ($49.50) combines a sediment pre-filter, calcium sulfite, Vitamin C layer, KDF-55 media, and catalytic carbon to address chlorine (99% removal), heavy metals (95% removal), and PFAS/VOCs (98% removal). Unchemed also features micro-nozzle technology that maintains high water pressure despite the multi-stage filtration, which is a common complaint with other filtered shower heads.
✓ Built by a Mom, Tested on Her Family★ 4.8/5 from 2,847 Reviews🔬 11 Filters Tested — Only 1 Passed🚚 Free Shipping Nationwide💪 60-Day Money-Back Guarantee✓ Built by a Mom, Tested on Her Family★ 4.8/5 from 2,847 Reviews🔬 11 Filters Tested — Only 1 Passed🚚 Free Shipping Nationwide💪 60-Day Money-Back Guarantee
A Mother's Story
My Daughter Was Bleeding Every Night. Then I Found Out Why.
I tested 11 shower filters, sent water samples to a lab, and discovered that the "best-selling" filters on Amazon remove almost nothing. So I built one that actually works.
It started with my daughter. She was seven years old and her eczema was so severe that she'd scratch until she bled — every single night.
I tried everything. Prescription creams, oatmeal baths, hypoallergenic everything. We spent thousands on dermatologist visits and specialty treatments. Nothing worked. I felt like I was failing her.
Then one night, while researching at 2 AM (as desperate parents do), I stumbled across a water quality report for our city. What I found made me furious.
The Shocking Discovery
Our municipal water contained chlorine levels matching a public swimming pool — 3.8 parts per million. Every morning, every night, my daughter was showering in pool water. Her pores were wide open from the hot water, absorbing every chemical directly into her damaged skin.
I immediately bought a shower filter to fix it. Then I bought another one when that didn't work. Then another.
Over the next month, I tested 11 different showerheads with filters. Cheap Walmart ones. Amazon bestsellers with thousands of reviews. The expensive ones from specialty stores. All of them.
But I didn't just trust the marketing claims. I sent water samples from each one to an independent lab. And the results made me furious.
Lab Results: The Truth About Shower Filters
1
Amazon Bestseller (50K+ Reviews)
KDF-55 media · $35
14%
2
Walmart Budget Filter
Carbon granules · $18
8%
3
Premium Brand ($80+)
Activated carbon · $85
31%
4
Specialty Store "Medical Grade"
Mixed media · $120
42%
✓
Unchemed
Volcanic minerals + calcium sulfite + ceramics
99%
"My daughter was still showering in 86% of the chemicals destroying her skin. The 'best-selling' filter with 50,000 reviews only removed 14% of chlorine."
Dr. Lena Hale, Unchemed Founder
Then I found out why they all fail. Most shower filters use something called KDF-55 or cheap carbon filters. Here's the problem: these materials completely break down in hot water.
They might work for a few days when they're brand new. But within weeks, they're just expensive plastic doing nothing. The companies know this. They just tell you to "replace every six months" while your family keeps suffering.
How We Built the Solution
💡
The Call
I called my brother Michael, who designs hospital water systems. He said, "If we're going to fix this, we need materials that survive hot water and pressure."
🔬
6 Months of Testing
We spent six months in his garage testing over 30 different filtration materials. Most failed. By month five, Michael wanted to give up. But I kept thinking about my daughter bleeding every night.
⚡
The Breakthrough
Volcanic minerals with calcium sulfite — the same material used in hospital water systems — combined with a vitamin C layer and medical-grade ceramics that balance pH to match your skin. We cracked it.
💖
The Result
I installed the first prototype. Within two weeks, my daughter stopped bleeding at night. My son stopped getting sick constantly. And then something unexpected happened — my own skin transformed. That's when it hit me: I'd been doing the same thing to myself for years. Every serum I applied after every shower was going straight down the drain.
💧
99%
Chlorine Removal Lab Verified
💪
95%
Heavy Metal Removal
💰
$22/mo
Water Bill Savings
What Makes Unchemed Different
Every unit is made with medical-grade materials because my kids use it every day. Here's what's inside:
Volcanic Minerals + Calcium Sulfite — Don't break down in hot water like KDF-55 or carbon
Vitamin C Layer — Neutralizes chloramines and provides antioxidant defense for skin barrier protection
Medical-Grade Ceramics — Balance pH to match your skin's natural barrier
High-Pressure 3-Setting Design — Better pressure while using 30% less water
20-Second Installation — No tools, no plumber, just screw it on
Built by a Mom Who Wouldn't Stop
Until her daughter could sleep without bleeding. Now available to protect your family too.
"My son's eczema cleared up in two weeks. TWO WEEKS. After years of prescription creams and specialist visits. I wish I'd found this sooner."
Amanda R.
Florida · Child's Eczema
✓ Verified Purchase
★★★★★
"I already had three other shower filters in my garage that did nothing. I almost didn't try this one. But after two weeks, my aesthetician asked what I'd changed. The only difference was Unchemed. I was spending $250 a month on skincare and nothing worked until I fixed the water."
Patricia W.
Arizona · Skincare Skeptic & Prior Filter Buyer
✓ Verified Purchase
★★★★★
"After 15 years of trying every keratin treatment and hair mask on the market, my hair was still breaking. Three weeks with Unchemed and my hairstylist noticed before I did. She said my hair felt like it did in my 30s."
Lisa M.
Georgia · 15 Years of Hair Breakage
✓ Verified Purchase
Founder's Special — While Supplies Last
Unchemed Handheld Kit
The same filter system I built to protect my daughter — now available for your family.
$99$49SAVE 50%
99% chlorine removal — lab verified, not marketing claims
Free replacement filter included ($39 value) — 12 months of clean water
High-pressure 3-setting showerhead with water-saving stop button
Free shipping anywhere in the US · Arrives in 3–5 business days
Every shower your family takes between now and when you install Unchemed is another cycle of chemical exposure on skin that's already compromised. The products you're applying tonight are doing half the work they should be.
If it doesn't work, you get every penny back. You don't even need to call — just send us an email and we'll handle the rest. I built this for my own family. I stand behind it completely. Your skin will show you the difference in two weeks.
A Message from Dr. Lena Hale
If you've tried shower filters before and they didn't work, I tested 11 of them too. This one's different — built by a mom who wouldn't stop until her daughter could sleep without bleeding.
Every Unchemed unit is made with the same medical-grade materials I use in my own home, because my kids shower with it every day. I wouldn't sell you anything I wouldn't put on my own children.
We called it Unchemed because that's what happens — once you try it, everyone who visits asks about your water. Your skin will show you the difference in two weeks. And if it doesn't, you get every penny back.
You've Tried Everything Else. Fix the Water.
84,000+ families stopped treating the symptoms and fixed the source. Your skin will show you the difference in two weeks — or you get every penny back.
