Chlorine vs Your Skin

Good weather is coming quickly, and soon we’ll be dying for pools to open for a bit of relaxation and relief. It is most likely that the pools you’ll be encountering this summer are chlorinated, and it is important to think about how this chemical affects our skin and hair. Know what chlorine does and how to treat yourself before and after a dip for a summer of cool relief, and great, glamorous beauty.

Chlorine

Being in a chlorinated pool isn’t a bad thing, and on a hot summer day it’s hard to remember to care for your skin and hair while your running for relief from the sun. Chlorine is a chemical that kills bacteria in pools, and thank the high heavens for it. But don’t let a clean pool undermine your beauty routine.

Protect Your Hair Before You Jump In

If you are comfortable this way and want to, wearing a bathing cap is the best way to protect your hair from chlorine apart from keeping your head above water. If the glamorous alien look isn’t for you, giving your hair a light treatment of coconut oil will help provide your hair with moisture while repelling chlorinated water from soaking into your locks. It’s counterproductive to go sulfate-free with your hair and then soak it in harsh chemicals, so keep your head above water or protect those locks before you dive in!

Hit the Showers

After your day at the pool, chlorine has bonded with your skin and hair and needs a good wash to get it out. Look for a specialty cleanser that targets harsh chemicals but doesn’t strip your skin of all moisture.

Moderation

Ultimately, chlorine will be harmful to your skin because it aims to kill dirt and disinfect everything it comes in contact with. Be moderate with the frequency and amount of time you spend in a chlorinated pool. The chemical is desperate to take away your bad oils as well as your good oils–and you want to keep those. Protect yourself and jump on in!