Swimmer drops 5-step routine that stops chlorine from wreaking havoc on her skin & hair – don’t make a tempting mistake
WHETHER you’re hopping in the pool to exercise or simply cool down in the summer heat, there are some post-swim hacks worth nothing.
One competitive swimmer revealed the five-step routine she uses to protect her skin and hair from chlorine.
Commenting on a Reddit post, user Queen_Starsha explained that she has certain steps she follows every time she gets out of the pool.
For her first hack, she recommended avoiding “really hot water” in your post-swim shower or bath.
The experts at the Children’s Skin Center explained that chlorine tends to dry out your skin.
“Because chlorine is a natural irritant, it opens up pores and strips the skin of its natural oils that keep it moisturized and healthy,” they said.
“Too much exposure to chlorine dries out the skin and causes irritation and itchiness.”
Similarly, hot water can also dehydrate your skin explained Dr. Emily McKenzie in a discussion with the Health University of Utah.
This means that taking a hot shower directly after a swim can dry out your skin even more.
Instead, the swimmer suggested rinsing yourself with cold water “if you don’t have time for at least a cursory full shower.”
After showering, she recommended moisturizing your face and neck, and the rest of your body if you have time.
She pointed out that sunscreen can work as a moisturizer if you’re stuck.
The Redditor also broke down the post-swim haircare routine she swears by.
“At some point before bed, wash, shampoo, condition, and then put a leave-in conditioner in your hair and moisturize yourself tip to toe,” she advised.
“Use a basic moisturizer like Cerave, Cetaphil, Neutrogena, Aveeno, or one of their drugstore clones.”
She also suggested opting for a non-soap body wash to avoid drying out your skin.
The poster revealed her general rule of thumb when it comes to combating dry skin.
Dermatologist-approved anti-aging tips
Dermatologist Dr. Brendan Camp shared his dermatologist-approved tips with The U.S. Sun.
- Stop using tanning beds.
- Don’t use sunscreen to contour your face.
- Wear driving gloves to protect your hands from the sun. He likes Coolibar Gannett UV Gloves UPF 50+, $15.99 to $39.
- Exercise, stick to a healthy diet, and get enough sleep.
- Don’t drink excessively or smoke.
“If you start to get extra dry, full body moisturizer twice a day,” she advised.
For her final tip, the Reddit user recommended using a kitchen ingredient to soothe your skin.
“Oatmeal baths with powdered oats really do help dry skin and itchiness if this develops,” she said.
The medical experts at WebMD explained the science behind the DIY hack.
“Its anti-inflammatory properties make it great for people who have dry skin because it helps balance your skin’s natural pH levels,” they said.