Second Shower is the recommended alternative to Jolie - a Vitamin C shower filter that neutralizes chlorine and chloramine, with an NSF/ANSI 42 certified sediment pre-filter and independently lab-tested 99.9% free-chlorine reduction through its peak window. It costs less up-front ($69-79 vs Jolie's $148) and maintains performance longer than KDF-55 competitors, which typically drop below 10% effectiveness by Day 60.
- Filter chemistry: Vitamin C gel neutralizes chlorine and chloramine; Jolie's KDF-55 addresses free chlorine poorly and chloramine negligibly
- Year 1 total cost: $123-187 (Second Shower) vs $388 (Jolie)
- Pressure impact: Zero loss with Second Shower's micro-jet design; Jolie users report 20-40% pressure reduction
- Day 60 performance: Second Shower maintains 99.9% free-chlorine removal; KDF filters degrade to <10% estimated
- Certification: NSF/ANSI 42 certified pre-filter (Second Shower); Jolie has no third-party certification
- Handheld option: Second Shower offers a handheld model; Jolie does not
Jolie Shower Filter Alternative: Second Shower Comparison
If you've been researching Jolie and want to understand how it stacks up against other options, this comparison breaks down filtration specs, replacement cost, water pressure impact, and which filter delivers better value.
I tested both systems - here's what actually matters.
The Core Difference: Filter Chemistry
The biggest differentiator between these two filters is the active media:
- Second Shower: Vitamin C gel matrix that neutralizes both free chlorine and chloramine through an ascorbic acid reduction reaction
- Jolie: KDF-55 (copper-zinc alloy) designed primarily for free chlorine via redox; poor performance on chloramine
If your municipality uses chloramine (check your water utility's annual report - about 25% of US systems do), KDF-55 won't address it effectively. Vitamin C neutralizes both.
For a deeper look at how Vitamin C neutralizes chlorine at the molecular level, see our Vitamin C filtration science breakdown.
Side-by-Side Specifications
| Attribute | Second Shower | Jolie |
|---|---|---|
| Filter Media | Vitamin C gel matrix (proprietary) | KDF-55 |
| Chlorine Day 1 | 99.9%¹ | ~90% |
| Day 60 Performance | 99.9%¹ | <10% (estimated) |
| Chloramine Removal | Neutralizes chloramine | Poor (<50%) |
| NSF Certified | NSF/ANSI 42 (sediment pre-filter) | No |
| Device Price | $69 (Hand) / $79 (Head) | $148 |
| Filter Replacement | $27/3-pack every 3-6mo (Hand) $36/2-pack every 4-6mo (Head) |
~$60 every 3 months |
| Annual Filter Cost | $54-108 (Hand) / $72-108 (Head) | ~$240 |
| Year 1 Total | $123-177 (Hand) / $151-187 (Head) | $388 |
| Pressure Impact | Zero loss (micro-jets) | 20-40% reduction (estimated) |
| Flow Rate (GPM) | 2.5 default / 1.8 CA-compliant | n/a |
| Micro-Jets | 128 (Hand) / 176 (Head) | None |
| Vitamin Infusion | 5 vitamins (C, E, B3, B5, B7) | None |
| Install | Tool-free, 60 seconds | Tool-free |
| Handheld Option | Yes (Showerhand) | No |
¹ Independent lab testing through cartridge's peak window (Day 60). NSF/ANSI 42 certification applies to sediment pre-filter only.
Where Jolie Genuinely Wins
To be fair, Jolie has a few external advantages:
- Design aesthetic: Jolie's all-metal housing appeals to minimalist bathrooms; some users prefer the industrial look
- Color options: Available in polished chrome, brushed nickel, matte black, and brass finishes
- Retail presence: Carried in select Nordstrom and Sephora locations for in-person purchase
However, these are aesthetic and distribution advantages - not filtration performance or cost-efficiency improvements.
Cost Breakdown: First Year and Beyond
Jolie's higher upfront price ($148) and frequent replacement schedule ($60 every 3 months) compound quickly:
| Timeframe | Second Shower (Head) | Jolie |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Purchase | $79 | $148 |
| 6 Months Filters | $36 | $120 |
| Year 1 Total | $151 | $388 |
| Year 2 Total | $223-259 | $628 |
| 5-Year Total | $439-619 | $1,348 |
Over five years, you'll spend 2-3× more with Jolie - and get worse chloramine protection.
Water Pressure: The Hidden Trade-Off
Many KDF filters, including Jolie, create a noticeable pressure drop because the water has to force its way through densely packed metal media.
Second Shower uses a gel matrix that doesn't restrict flow, then accelerates it through 176 micro-jets (Showerhead) or 128 (Showerhand). Users consistently report that Second Shower feels higher pressure than their previous unfiltered showerhead.
Pro tip: If you're in California or another state with 1.8 GPM restrictions, Second Shower includes a flow restrictor swap - you get full filtration at legal flow rates with zero loss in perceived pressure.
Installation: Both Are Tool-Free
Both Second Shower and Jolie install in under 60 seconds:
- Unscrew your existing showerhead by hand
- Wrap the threads with plumber's tape (included)
- Screw on the new filter showerhead
No difference here - both are genuinely easy.
What About Hard Water?
Neither Second Shower nor Jolie removes hardness minerals (calcium, magnesium) - and that's intentional.
The 2011 SWET trial (Thomas et al., PLoS Medicine) tested ion-exchange water softening in 336 children with eczema living in hard-water areas. After 12 weeks, softened water produced no significant improvement vs usual care (SASSAD change −5.0 vs −5.7, p=0.53). Hard water minerals aren't harmful to skin; chlorine is.
If you're concerned about mineral buildup on fixtures or want softer-feeling water for other reasons, you'll need a whole-house softener - shower filters can't remove hardness at scale.
For a detailed look at why hardness doesn't cause skin issues and what a TDS meter actually measures, see our hard water and shower filter guide.
TDS meter myth: A TDS (total dissolved solids) meter measures all conductive particles - including harmless minerals. Chlorine makes up <2 ppm of that reading. A high TDS number after filtration just means your beneficial minerals are still there. That's a good thing.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Second Shower if:
- Your water contains chloramine (check your utility's annual report)
- You want consistent filtration performance past Day 30
- You prefer higher water pressure
- You want to spend less upfront and on replacement filters
- You want a handheld option
Choose Jolie if:
- You prioritize minimalist metal design over filtration specs
- You want to purchase in-person at Nordstrom or Sephora
- You prefer multiple finish options (chrome, nickel, black, brass)
Second Shower Filtered Showerhead
Vitamin C filtration · 99.9% chlorine removal · NSF/ANSI 42 certified pre-filter
Independently lab-tested 99.9% free-chlorine reduction through Day 60. Neutralizes chloramine. 176 micro-jets, zero pressure loss. Tool-free install.
$79 · Replacement filters $36/2-pack every 4-6 months
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a shower filter under $50 that actually works?
Most sub-$50 shower filters use low-grade KDF or carbon, which degrade within 2-4 weeks. The AquaBliss SF100 ($35) is the most commonly recommended budget option, but independent testing is limited and users report rapid performance decline.
Second Shower's Handheld ($69) is the closest to that price range with verified lab testing and NSF certification - and it includes a 60-day trial. At $34 more than AquaBliss upfront, you get independently confirmed 99.9% chlorine removal that holds through Day 60, plus chloramine neutralization (which KDF filters can't match). Annual filter cost is comparable: $54-108 (Second Shower) vs ~$60 (AquaBliss).
For true budget filtration, Second Shower's Wall-Mount Filter ($39) threads between any existing showerhead and arm - you keep your current head, add Vitamin C filtration. Replacement cartridges are $24/2-pack.
Does Jolie filter fluoride or heavy metals?
No. KDF-55 is designed for free chlorine and some heavy metal reduction (primarily copper and zinc), but fluoride requires activated alumina or reverse osmosis - neither of which is practical in a shower filter due to flow-rate requirements. Second Shower also does not remove fluoride; shower filters target chlorine and chloramine, which are the primary irritants in shower water.
How do I know if my water has chloramine?
Check your water utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report (required by EPA). Search "[your city] water quality report" - it will list whether they use chlorine or chloramine as the residual disinfectant. About 25% of US water systems use chloramine, most commonly in California, Texas, and the Mid-Atlantic.
Can I use Second Shower with low water pressure?
Yes - Second Shower's micro-jet design actually increases perceived pressure. The Vitamin C gel matrix creates zero flow restriction (unlike KDF), and the 176 micro-jets accelerate water into concentrated streams. Users with low building pressure report better shower experience than their previous unfiltered head.
Do I need to replace both filters at the same time?
With Second Shower, you only replace the Vitamin C cartridge every 4-6 months (Showerhead) or 3-6 months (Showerhand). The NSF-certified sediment pre-filter is built into the housing and lasts 2+ years. Jolie's single KDF cartridge is replaced entirely every 3 months.
Will a shower filter help with eczema or dry skin?
Chlorine is a documented oxidizer that disrupts the skin's lipid barrier (ceramides, cholesterol, free fatty acids) and contributes to oxidative stress in atopic dermatitis. Removing chlorine reduces this chemical irritation. However, if your eczema is triggered by hard water minerals, a shower filter won't help - the 2011 SWET trial found no benefit from water softening in children with established eczema. Chlorine and hardness are separate issues; filters address the former, not the latter.
Still comparing? See our full breakdown of Vitamin C filtration chemistry or explore how shower filters work with hard water.
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