Yeah, summer periods are unquestionably the best time to have a constant swim, the cool rinse doesn’t it just feel lovely: After you’ve been in the sun all day swimming and soaking up tans from the sun, it’s important to rinse off the residual sunscreen and any chlorine or salt buildup on your skin.
It could be that you’re going for a light swim/dip in the ocean, chlorine water, or even a freshwater pool, post-swim shower care is very important to skin’s happiness.
Based on evidence from respected dermatologists Tiffany Libby, M.D., and Christina Chung, M.D., FAAD, they provided expert tips on how to care for your skin post-swim.
Firstly, How does chlorine water affect the skin
I’m quite certain you’re familiar with the dry, itchy feeling on your skin that comes after swimming in a chlorinated pool? wondering why does that happen? well “Pool water tends to have a pH of about 7 to 8, which is higher than the skin’s natural pH which is around 5,” Dr. Libby says. “This means that after swimming, your skin barrier is slightly in a disrupted state and needs moisturizers to soothe and repair the skin barrier.”
Although the pH of the skin tends to bounce back from disrupting influences (like chlorine), it can’t necessarily always keep up when this happens repeatedly. “Chlorine magnifies the drying effect of water,” Dr. Chung explains. Therefore, if your summer plans consist of day after day in the pool, you might just want to call in some assistance to fight off the dryness.
Products to avoid After Swimming
“Avoid harsh cleansers and alcohol-infused products, because they will dry your skin out further,” Dr. Chung says. However, look out for hydrating face cleansers and body washes to help moisturize the skin. While it may be demanding to skip these products altogether when your skin is feeling dry, you need to cleanse the skin in order to wash away any form of residual SPF, chlorine, salt, or sweat.
It is best to avoid any exfoliators after you’ve been in the water all day long as well. Your skin is most likely to be incredibly dry already, I’m sure you do not want to risk irritating your moisture barrier further. This means body scrubs, chemical exfoliant serums and lotions, retinol body lotions, and dry brushing is all a no-no Until you regain skin balance.
Products to consider after swimming
Here, is a step-by-step after swim skincare routine for the face and body after taking a swim.
1. Gently Cleanse
To do this, gently reach out for a hydrating body wash and face cleanser to use after swimming. If you have makeup on, you will need a double-cleaning that will help wash out all of that residue away and even better.
Oil cleansers are a great option to consider in general, especially after swimming because of their ability to hydrate the skin while simultaneously infusing it with moisture.
2. Grab some hydrating serum
For this particular step, look out for formulas with hyaluronic acid; be ready to apply it to damp skin, B5, niacinamide, and ceramides. This will provide your skin with an extra boost and help repair the compromised damage caused by the sun or chlorine pool or saltwater.
3. Use a moisturizer alongside
Undoubtedly, when it comes to body lotions, it is all about a personal choice that matters as long as you are using something to trap in all those precious hydration, it’s totally fine. If your skin is on the oily side, reach for a lightweight moisturizer. However, If you tend to dry out easily, then a creamy product may fare better. These suggestions apply both to the face and the body.
When sorting for a body moisturizer, formulas with soothing ingredients like aloe vera will help to fight off irritations and help repair the skin from excessive sun exposure. Look out for ingredients like ceramides, botanical oils (such as squalene or moringa seed oil), and shea butter as well. Biotic ingredients can help further soothe inflammation and nurture the skin microbiome.
4. when you’re done Reapply SPF
If you desire to step out again or you’re heading out in the sun again, it’s best to reapply SPF to your face and body. A good rule of thumb suggests that it is best to reapply every two hours, or even more frequently if you’re going in and out of the water.
Finally!
Nothing beats the feelings comes when rinsing off your body after a long day in the pool, however, you should be very mindful of how you go about it ( Moderation is key). Chlorinated pool and saltwater can irritate your skin and rob it off natural moisture. You should use a gentle cleansers, good hydrating serums, and soothing moisturizers to help bounce your skin back. Additionally: never forget to reapply SPF if you desire to step out in the sun again.
