💦 More summer swimming means more damage for your skin and hair – here's how to protect it 💦
 

Summer can be tough on swimmers’ skin and hair. With increased chlorine and saltwater exposure during longer training sessions, keeping your body protected becomes essential. Digital editor Abi explores how a simple self-care routine can help keep skin hydrated and hair healthy all season long

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How much attention to you pay to your skin and hair when you swim? Do you notice your skin is different after a pool session or a swim in the sea – perhaps it feels tight, dry and itchy, and your hair weak and brittle?

With more of us spending longer hours swim training now that open water season has started, we'll start to notice our skin and care needs a bit more TLC than usual.

Keep reading to explore why chlorine and saltwater is so damaging to skin and hair, and what you can do protect and restore it. 

For a limited time, skin and haircare brand TRIHARD is offering 18% OFF their entire range for Outdoor Swimmer readers using the code OSWIM. Grab this offer while you can – TRIHARD'S vegan and reef-safe goodies are tailored specifically to swimmers, removing and protecting against chlorine, and keeping skin and hair nourished and hydrated. Keep scrolling to find out more! 

Abi Whyte

Digital Editor, Outdoor Swimmer

So, why does my skin feel dry and tight after swimming in a chlorinated pool? 💦

While chlorine plays an important role in keeping pools clean, it can have a big impact on skin health. Chlorinated water strips away the skin’s natural oils (sebum), which help to protect and moisturise the skin. As a result, the skin’s lipid barrier becomes compromised, leading to dryness, flakiness and, in some cases, cracking, making the skin more susceptible to irritation.

Chlorine can also disrupt the skin’s natural pH balance. Healthy skin is naturally slightly acidic, with a pH of around 4.5 to 5.5. Exposure to chlorine and other pool chemicals can make the skin more alkaline, further weakening its protective barrier and increasing the likelihood of irritation.

Certain areas of the body are sensitive to these effects, especially the delicate skin around the eyes. This is often where regular swimmers first notice symptoms such as dryness and discomfort.

Spending more time in the sea in summer can also cause skin dryness and itchiness.

How can I protect my skin from chlorine and saltwater damage?

Starting a healthy skincare routine before and after swims is the way to go!

Trihard’s skin and haircare products are tailored specifically to swimmers. Their dermatologically-tested range is safe for all skin or hair types and include natural ingredients that have specific benefits for swimmers’ skin, such as aloe vera, which soothes and hydrates and Vitamin E, which reduces inflammation and encourages skin healing.

Before your swims, apply TRIHARD Pre & Post Swim Body Lotion to your skin. It's made with shea butter to hydrate the skin, and forms a protective layer before you get in the water.

After your swim, shower with the After-Swim Body Wash, which has gentle exfoliating kernels to relieve skin discomfort while neutralising chlorine and hydrating the skin.

Once you're dry, slather yourself again with some Pre & Post Swim Body Lotion. You'll be moisturised and heavenly scented all day!

Why does my hair feel dry and brittle after a lot of swimming?

Chlorine is also damaging to hair – stripping it of its natural oils, weakening hair strands leading to split ends and even changing the colour of your hair. While the odd swim won’t have much noticeable effect, regular exposure to chlorine can leave your hair feeling dry, dull and brittle while some people suffer from tight, dry and itchy scalp, too.

Regular exposure to saltwater can also dehydrate hair and make it weak and brittle.

How can I keep my hair healthy if I swim regularly?

Again, implementing a good pre- and post- swim routine is the best way to protect hair from chlorine and sea damage.

TRIHARD’s hair care range is designed to remove chlorine and saltwater from the hair and scalp, helping to relieve irritation caused by pool chemicals. Its Swimmers Shampoo Extra Boost combines red algae with Dead Sea minerals to wash away chlorine, salt and lingering chemical odours. At the same time, naturally derived ingredients such as argan oil and jojoba oil help replenish moisture and nourish dry, damaged hair. Aloe vera, sea buckthorn oil and red algae work to soothe an irritated scalp, while peppermint extract provides a refreshing cooling sensation.

For best results, pair the shampoo with Pre & Post Swim Conditioner. Applied before swimming, it helps reduce chlorine absorption. After swimming, it works to restore softness and texture, eliminate chlorine odours and deeply hydrate dry hair. Together, the shampoo and conditioner leave hair feeling clean, fresh and healthy, while helping to preserve its natural moisture balance.

Feeling clued up on your pre- and post-swim skin and haircare? Shop the TRIHARD range now with the code OSWIM and get 18% OFF.