A chalky white ring around the base of a faucet can be difficult to remove, even with regular cleaning. This buildup is often caused by hard water, which contains dissolved minerals such as calcium and magnesium.
When hard water evaporates, these minerals remain on the surface and form a stubborn deposit known as limescale. While it is generally not dangerous to touch, the buildup can make a clean sink and faucet look dull and dirty.