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 , user Queen_Starsha shared 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 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.
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"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 .
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."
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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 , $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.
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The medical experts at 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.