ADVERTISEMENT INFO: SOME PRODUCTS MENTIONED IN THIS POST ARE PR (GIFTED) AND LINKS USED ARE AFFILIATE LINKS. I RECEIVED NO MONEY TO WRITE THE BLOGPOST. PLEASE READ DISCLAIMER

 

Did you know I used to do competitive swimming back in school? Of course that was ages ago, but I still remember the struggles regarding skin and hair that came with it. This is why today I want to share my Ultimate guide for pre and post swimming skincare so you can enjoy your days by the pool without your skin and hair paying the price.

 

 

Swimming is fantastic for your body, it still is one of my preferred low impact exercises, but no matter if you are at a chlorinated pool or braving the ocean waves, your skin is probably not as happy as your cardiovascular system. Both chlorine as well as the salt and alkaline pH affect the skins barrier function, and being immersed in water strips your skin from its natural oils, resulting in moisture loss, dryness and irritation. You might even notice that your acne is getting worse or that new breakouts start appearing on your body, especially on your butt. (More info: How to get rid of acne on your body)

Same is true for your hair, which will get drier over time and might even, especially if your blonde is courtesy of a hair dresser like mine is, get a greenish tint. (More info: Does hair need extra UV protection?)

And then there is of course the increased amount of UV exposure you get, with all the negative effects that can have on our skin and hair.

If you have any tips you want to add, tell me in the comments below.

 

 

Prep Your Skin and Hair for the Pool

So what can you do before you head to the pool to keep your skin and hair protected? And when is the ideal time to do your morning skincare routine? That depends.

If you plan to just hop in the pool for an hour of exercise and then spend the day doing other things, I would suggest slathering yourself in water resistant SPF and doing your morning routine after your workout and after you cleansed yourself thoroughly in the shower directly after swimming.

If you plan to spend the whole day at the pool though I would suggest doing your regular routine in the mornings before breakfast – that way the products have time to absorb and you only need to reapply sunscreen throughout the day. For me my morning routine is the place for Vitamin C and an extra layer of antioxidants is very helpful on a day spend outdoors.

No matter when you did your routine though, make sure to apply a preferably rich and water resistant sunscreen at least 20 minutes before you get into the water. This is not the time for the lightweight Korean formulas we all love so much, the more occlusive it is, the better. Not only do water resistant formulas last a little longer on the skin when you are immersed in the pool, but the more occlusive layer will prevent your skin from drying out so much. That is actually one of the reasons regular swimmers often rely on Vaseline: It is occlusive and at the same time prevents chafing from the often repetitive movements. A great alternative if you plan on swimming indoors, where the UV protection isn’t as essential.

Taking a shower directly before you get into the water is important too. Not only for hygienic reasons, you really don’t want to know what would grow inside the basin if it weren’t for the chlorine, but also to let skin and hair absorb some water without chlorine so there is less room for the chlorinated stuff. Will that make a huge difference? Probably not as much as an occlusive layer, but every little bit counts. And, again, hygiene.

Speaking of hair, the best way to protect your locks is to wear one of these highly unsexy silicone swimming caps so it neither gets wet nor exposed to chlorine, but I admit I haven’t worn one of them to the pool since I left school. If you are less vain than I am, it really is your best option as it also protects your scalp from a sun burn.

Another option would be applying a hair SPF or hair oil, but that and especially the “simply wear conditioner” tip you often see online means quite a bit of product might get into the water, probably not what everyone around you wants. If you don’t wear a cap and don’t want to leave a trace of hair mask behind you, put your hair in a braid or a bun and make sure it is wet before entering the pool. Again, less room for chlorine.

 

 

After the Pool: Essential Skincare steps

The most important part of your routine is the one you do after swimming though. Whenever possible, take a shower immediately to get the chlorine off your body and hair. I would also suggest changing out of your wet bathing suit as it has soaked up chlorine and the wet fabric rubbing against your skin is a trigger for breakouts and irritation. I usually bring a spare set of UPF shirt with me and once I get out of the water, I change from the wet one into the dry one. That way I don’t get cold and don’t need to reapply sunscreen to such a large area of my body.

Speaking of sunscreen, this is the next step after taking a shower and drying your skin: reapply your sunscreen, even if it says water resistant. If you want to, you can use hydrating products or an antioxidant face mist underneath – if you care to bring your skincare with you to the pool, which especially for antioxidants isn’t always a good idea as they might degrade quicker in the heat and with sun exposure. In addition to sunscreen, seek shade and wear a hat to protect your hair and scalp.

After your final dip into the water, you can consider using a special shower gel and shampoo designed to remove the chlorine, but I admit I rely on my regular products and a thorough shower, followed up by repairing and soothing my skin. That means something like the Geek and Gorgeous Stress Less Serum (full review here), The Ordinary 2% Hyaluronic Acid + B5 (full review here) or the La Roche Posay Cicaplast B5 Spray (full review here), an extra layer of antioxidant – that doesn’t have to be a Vitamin C as they can be irritating, Green Tea Extract or Centella Asiatica are great too – and then a richer moisturizer than I normally would use to help my skin replenish.

Depending on the time of the day I will add another layer of, now more lightweight, sunscreen or just leave it at that. Should you use potentially irritating actives in your night time routine, for me that would be Tretinoin, make sure to evaluate how your skin feels and maybe stretch out the space between the days of application. But no, as this is a very common question: You do not need to stop using retinoids in the summer, but you should be diligent with sun protection, which is much more than wearing sunscreen. (More info: Should you use Retinol in summer?)

 

 

TL;DR

Swimming is fantastic exercise, but chlorine and saltwater can wreak havoc on your skin and hair, causing dryness, irritation, and even breakouts. Before you swim, apply a rich, water-resistant SPF 20 minutes beforehand. Showering before swimming helps hydrate your skin and hair, reducing chlorine absorption. For hair protection, use a silicone cap or apply hair oil. After swimming, shower immediately to remove chlorine and change out of your wet swimsuit to prevent breakouts. Reapply sunscreen and moisturize well. Bonus tips include using antioxidant-rich products and considering a chlorine-removal shampoo for extra care. Avoid irritating actives like retinoids immediately after swimming if your skin feels sensitive. Follow these steps to keep your skin and hair healthy and glowing!

 

 

 

Don’t forget to check out the Discount Code Page on top if you want to save some money on your next skincare purchase, or click here to let me build a personalized skincare routine for you.
If you want to get more involved and pick my next topics or see exclusive behind the scenes content, don’t forget you can head over here and become a YouTube Channel Member!