Swimming is a great exercise and a recreation activity prefered by a lot of people. While there are lots of advantages of swimming, we also cannot deny the aftereffects that swimming may result.
Almost all swimming pools are treated with chlorine as a disinfectant to keep away germs and bacteria. However, the chlorine used in the pools have negative effects on your hair and skin. Therefore, it is better to completely clean off the presence of chlorine from the body to avoid any kind of skin related issues.
What does chlorine do to your skin?
Chlorine is most of the times harsh to the skin and can wipe off the essential natural oils produced by the skin, leading to problems like:
- Dry and itchy skin
- Damage of protein cells causing premature aging.
- Skin rashes due to disturbed pH balance.
- Excessive oil production by skin to maintain its inadequacy.
- Clogging of pores and acne due to excessive oil.
- Weak skin strength that is easily damaged by Sun.
How to protect your skin from chlorine?
There are easy and effective ways you can try at home to protect your skin from chlorine and its effects. Take these precautions and preventive steps to safeguard yourself from any possible effect of chlorine on your skin.
Skin care before swimming
1. Avoid swimming in chlorinated pool
There are many places where you get an option to use salt and UV filters. They may still contain small amount of chlorine but that’s better than the chlorinated pool. There are natural pools and places to swim outdoors which has less exposure to chlorine. Using water resources with less chlorine is an easy way to reduce vulnerability associated with chlorine contact.
2. Intake Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a great solution to neutralize the effects of chlorine. It also helps nullify the consequences of chlorine exposure. It can be used both way – oral consumption or rubbing on the external surface of skin. Vitamin C is an inexpensive method to dechlorinate the water. Also, it’s natural components serve as anti-aging agents. So, using it can be really helpful to get rid of chlorine exposure.
3. Protect your skin
Applying waterproof sunscreen will create a protective layer that will keep your skin safe from chlorine and sun exposure and will retain moisture and hydration. It will also help prevent your skin from drying and premature aging. Pre-swimming lotions are great ways to lock in moisture and create chlorine exposure barrier at the same time. Apply any preferable product about 15 minutes before you enter the swimming pool to give your skin enough time to absorb it.
4. Stay hydrated
Drinking enough water throughout the day will ensure that your skin is healthy, safe and moisturized. When you drink the required amount of water, your skin will not try to absorb the pool water to compensate the lack of required moisture. This way, you can protect it from any consequences that the skin-absorbed chlorine water can result. So, as long as the skin is hydrated, it will not absorb additional amount of water from the surface.
5. Shower before using the pool
Taking a quick shower before the actual swimming course can help hydrate your skin cells and keep them moist and saturated. This way, when you take a dip in the chlorinated water, your skin will not absorb the pool water. Also, you will help keep the pool clean by washing off any dirt present in your body surface from landing in the pool.
6. Apply dechlorinating lotion
You can easily get dechlorinating lotions in the market which you can apply to your skin before you dip at the swimming pool. This will keep your skin safe and away from absorbing the chlorine water. You can also prepare your own DIY lotion by mixing olive oil, almond oil, vitamin C powder in some warm water.
Skin care after swimming
7. Shower with warm water
It is important to take shower right after you get out of the pool. Warm water is preferred because it helps open your pores and allows thorough cleansing. You can also use an anti-chlorine soap along with the shower to wash your body thoroughly. As you finish, use cool water to tighten back the opened pores and locking the moisture.
8. Use natural oils to moisturize your skin
When you swim for a while, your skin becomes dry and cracked as a result of constant immersion in water. Applying natural oils on your skin while it is still damp can help lock the moisture and keep your skin hydrated. This will prevent possible dryness and cracks in your skin. You may also opt for moisturizing creams.
9. Apply talcum powder
Those areas on your body that can help hide the pool chlorine, like the armpit, can be removed by application of talcum powder. It quickly absorbs the remaining chlorine particles that might be present on your body after the shower. But be sure you use it on corners and not on areas which requires moisturization.
10. Drink Green tea
Green tea is a rich source of antioxidants that your body will require for relief from stress due to oxidative damages on your skin that swimming in chlorinated water can result. The antioxidant properties of green tea will neutralize the free radicals on your skin, making it healthy and plum.
Following these tips you can easily remove chlorine particles attached to your skin and protect it from possible damage.
I am excited to know how these techniques worked for you. Do share your experience in the comment section below and I’ll get back to you at the earliest.
Also, see how to protect your hair from chlorine naturally while swimming
