How to Protect Your Skin Before Going for a Swim This Summer

It’s impossible to pass up on a good swim come summer. However, chlorinated water, prolonged sun exposure, dry summer air, and the frequent towel drying can challenge even the healthiest skin barrier. Whether you’re just away on a beach vacation or visit pools regularly, adopting skin care for swimmers is crucial. Here’s all you need to know.

Keynotes:

• Chlorinated and treated swimming pools can strip your skin's natural oils and increase dryness, sensitivity, and sun damage.
• Try pre-swim routines with a shower, then apply barrier creams or oils, and wear SPF 50 sunscreen with UV-protective swimwear.
• Post-swim, cleanse with a gentle body wash, tone, use hydrating serums, and apply a rich moisturiser to restore hydration.

The water in swimming pools is typically treated with chlorine, a chemical disinfectant that protects you against pathogens. However, chlorine can do a number on your skin and hair while disrupting the pH levels of your skin. It strips the natural lipids and sebum off your skin and increases the chances of summer dehydration due to transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Chlorine may worsen your eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis while leaving you more vulnerable to UV rays, which also aggravate these conditions. Be it preexisting conditions or susceptibility to new ones, chlorine can always cause trouble, which is why skincare before swimming and skincare after swimming is crucial.

Learning what to apply before swimming is crucial to give your skin proactive protection. A few vital products and steps can significantly reduce skin stress caused by pool chemicals and sun exposure.

• Shower Before You Swim
  Pre-soaking your body with fresh water reduces the amount of chlorinated water absorbed during your swim. This first step is often overlooked but is essential in skincare before swimming.

• Moisturize
  Apply an emollient-rich barrier cream or oil to help shield your skin from pool chemicals. Petroleum jelly, Aquaphor, or natural oils like coconut and olive oil form a temporary seal over your skin, acting as a buffer. For your face, use a lightweight, non-comedogenic day cream with occlusive agents and SPF.

• Waterproof sunscreen
  A broad-spectrum SPF 50 sunscreen or higher with physical barriers like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide offers sun protection and reinforces the skin’s barrier. Apply your sun protection a few minutes before you dive in to give your skin proper protection.

• Take cover
  Whenever possible, wear UV-protective swimwear, swim caps, and goggles to limit chlorine contact and prevent sunburn, especially around sensitive areas like the eyes, lips, and scalp. Try to visit covered pools to minimise your sun exposure.

Skincare for swimmers is just as crucial after getting out of the pool. This regimen should be aimed at removing chlorine, calming irritation, and restoring hydration. Here’s a simple skincare routine after swimming:

• Shower and Cleanse
  Shower with cool or lukewarm water to remove any residual chlorine from your skin or body. Use a gentle body wash to wash off any impurities and stick to a gentle gel-based cleanser for your face. Try to use gentle declogging cleansers if you have oily or acne-prone skin.

• Tone
  Chlorine and cleansers can throw your skin’s pH off balance. This is why using a pH-balancing toner is very important. Look for a gentle lactic acid toner that removes residual impurities and moisturizes your skin at the same time.

• Serum
  A long day under the sun, in chlorinated water, can dull your glow. Look for skincare serums with ingredients such as Thiamidol to give your skin a boost of radiance. Try to look for serums that have both brightening ingredients and hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, to plump your skin while adding glow.

• Hydrate
  Post-swim skin loses water quickly if your barrier is damaged. Use a rich moisturiser with ingredients like panthenol to give your skin the necessary hydration. Make sure you follow these steps before bed too, during your night care routine, to help your skin repair and regenerate at night. Try to top it off with an under-eye cream to soothe any irritation caused by the pool water or swim goggles.

Sensitive skin requires more targeted care to manage irritation and reduce reactivity. Here are a few tips you can follow to complement your skincare for swimmers:

• Gentle Products: Fragrances and alcohols can worsen irritation when combined with chlorine. Look for moisturizing, hypoallergenic, and dermatologically tested products that suit sensitive skin, too.

• Avoid Peak Sun: Plan your swims earlier or later in the day to avoid excessive UV exposure, which is at its highest during the afternoon.

• Hydrate: While using creams, occlusives, and moisturizers, it’s just as important to stay hydrated internally. After all, swimming is a form of exercise, so drink plenty of water to rehydrate.

Your summer hobbies, like swimming, don’t have to come at the expense of your skin health. With a consistent, science-backed routine, you can prevent dryness, irritation, and barrier damage caused by chlorine and UV exposure. For gentle, dermatologically tested skincare solutions, turn to Eucerin.

1. Should I apply sunscreen before swimming?

   Yes. Use a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 50 or higher. Look for long-lasting, water-safe protection that does not irritate your skin.

2. How can I protect my skin from chlorine damage?

   Follow skincare before swimming to prevent chlorine damage. Take a pre-swim shower, apply a cream or emollient to create a barrier, use sunscreens and UV-protective swimwear, and follow a post-swim moisturising routine.

3. What should I apply to my skin after swimming?

   Use a gentle, hydrating cleanser and toner followed by a rich moisturiser containing hyaluronic acid or glycerin. Make sure you follow a nighttime routine with moisturizers to aid skin repair before your next swim.

4. Is it necessary to shower immediately after swimming?

   Absolutely. Rinsing off chlorine immediately helps prevent dryness, irritation, and also barrier disruption. Follow up with a hydrating routine to keep your skin comfortable.

• National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI)
• WebMD – Chlorine Effects on Skin Health
• Healthline – Skincare Tips for Swimmers
• Cleveland Clinic – Chlorine and Skin Conditions