5 Ways to Care for Your Skin Before and After a Swim
Spending a lazy summer day at a beautiful pool may be the best way to enjoy the season. And with warm weather just around the corner, you’ve probably got your beach bag ready with a new swimsuit, towel and clarifying shampoo. Before you dive in, though, you might want to spend some time prepping your skin, too.
While chlorine’s harsh effects on the scalp (and that nasty knack for turning your hair green) get all the attention, it turns out that pool chemicals may be equally unkind to your skin if you’re not careful. (If you’ve ever felt itchy after swimming in a pool, you’ve already experienced this “scaly mermaid” skin.)
Here’s how dermatologists recommend caring for your skin before and after a swim.
1. Prep your skin with a barrier cream
“Chlorine is added to swimming pools to disinfect and prevent the rise and spread of bacterial, viral and protozoan diseases,” explains Dr. Estee Williams, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. “Due to its caustic nature, chlorine is a cause of irritant contact dermatitis, namely red, dry, itchy skin.”
To avoid that uncomfortable itch and redness, Williams recommends prepping your skin with a barrier cream before getting in the pool. Look for products with glycerin, oils or petrolatum listed on the ingredients. Bonus if it contains dimethicone, which forms a seal between the chlorine and your delicate skin.
Note: Not all pools allow moisturizers to be worn by swimmers, as they may interfere with the disinfecting chemicals. Check the rules before lathering up.
2. Shower and moisturize immediately post-swim
You already know you usually need to rinse off before entering the pool, per the listed rules. But if you wait until you get home to shower after a swim, you’re doing your skin a disservice. “Rinse off right after!” cautions Dr. Kristina Goldenberg, board-certified dermatologist in New York City. “Do not let the chlorinated water sit on the skin for a long period of time,” she warns. Warm-to-cool, clean water is best to avoid additional dryness. Read more
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