While we can definitely appreciate the positive things chlorine does for our swimming pools, we are less-than-interested in dry, flakey skin and brittle and discolored hair. But because most of us won’t be opting out of our pool days, here are some tips on how to keep your skin and hair chlorine damage-free.
There’s not much we love more than a hot summer day spent lounging in the pool atop our pizza slice pool float with our favorite book in hand. However, there’s not much we dislike more than the pool chlorine that can result in itchy, red skin, dry and brittle hair, and that fresh color and highlight you waited months to get being left a questionable green tint
While we can definitely appreciate the positive things chlorine does for our swimming pools (i.e. protecting us from harmful bacteria that can grow and get us sick), we also are less-than-interested in it’s obvious disadvantages. But since most of us won’t be opting out of our pool days, here are some tips on how to keep your skin and hair chlorine damage-free (or at least more protected!).
Pre-Pool
- Shower up!
How many times have you walked past signs that tell you to shower first before getting in the pool? Well it turns out, there are benefits to doing just that! Try wetting your hair down completely before diving in. This will help to slow down the absorption of chlorine as your hair wil take on less water when it’s wet!
- Apply protective products
Chlorine can strip the natural oils that help protect your hair from damage and daily wear. Before hopping in, try coating your strands with an oil and/or sillicone-based hair product first to help lock in moisture while you splash around. There are plenty of products that have a sole purpose of protecting from the sun, salt, and chlorine, but if all else fails, a simple leave-in conditioner should work fine, too.
Try: Phyto PhytoPlage Protective Sun Veil
To buy: Overstock, $11.99
Try: Eden BodyWorks Coconut Shea Leave In Conditioner
To buy: Sally Beauty, $8.49
- Always, always, always SPF
When it comes to your skin, skip those special pre-swim formulas. They might help minimize chlorine damage, but they can also lessen the effect of SPF (that you obviously already put on 15 minutes before you got to the pool, right?). Choose a moisturizing body lotion with SPF that can act as a barrier to the chlorine while still keeping you protected from sun damage. Win/win!
Try: Australian Gold Raydiant Sunscreen Lotion
To buy: LoxaBeauty, $25.98
Post-Pool
- Lather Up
As soon as you can post pool party, rinse your entire body with fresh water, taking your time to ensure total coverage.
Clean your body with a mild, moisturizing cleanser and use a gentle, sulfate-free, clarifying shampoo on your hair. Then, apply a deep, moisturizing conditioner to replenish the hair’s moisture. After showering, use a moisturizing butter on your skin as soon as you step out, taking extra care to massage the formula into places such as elbows, cuticles/nail beds, chest, shoulders, and backs of hands — all places where skin is the thinnest and most susceptible to chlorine damage.
Try: Macadamia Professional Endless Summer Sun And Surf Shampoo/Conditioner
To buy: Amazon, $20 ea.
Try: L’Occitane Shea Butter
To buy: Sephora, $44
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