Skin Care:
Before swim: Use a heavy-duty moisturizerĀ or body lotion few minutes before applying your sunblock.Ā Apply sunscreen with both UVA and UVB protectionĀ before stepping in, with a minimum SPF 30.Ā
After Swim: Right after your swim, go straight to the shower and rinse the chemicals off your skin with soap and water. If your skin is super sensitive, you can opt for swimmer specific body washes that will neutralize the chlorine.Ā If youāre going to use moisturizer, look for products high in antioxidants like vitamin E and vitamin C. These will help neutralize the chlorine as well.Ā Vitamin C shower filters that are pretty inexpensive and which dechlorinatesĀ Ā water.Ā Bathing in hot water will exaggerate the risks because the chemicals can be inhaled with the steam. Also very important to have a bath asap, the longer gap you have,Ā the more chlorine affects your skin.
How to make a DeChlorinating Lotion at home:
- 1/2 cup almond or olive oil
- 1/4 cupĀ coconut oil
- 1/4 cupĀ beeswax
- 2 tablespoons Ā warm water
- 2 teaspoonsĀ vitamin C powder
- Optional: 2 tablespoonsĀ Shea ButterĀ orĀ Cocoa Butter
- Optional: Essential Oils, Vanilla Extract or other natural extracts to suit your preference
How to Make Lotion
- Combine oils and beeswax Ā in a pint-sized or larger glass jar.
- In another small jar or bowl, add the vitamin c powder to the warm water and stir until dissolved.
- Fill a medium saucepan with a couple of inches of water and place the jar with the oils inside the saucepan and turn on medium heat.
- As the water heats, the ingredients in the jar will start to melt. Shake or stirĀ occasionally toĀ incorporate. When all ingredients are completely melted, pour into a small blender or food processor, or keep in the jar if using an immersion blender that will fit in the top of the jar.
- With blender or food processor on, slowly add the water/vitamin C mixture until blended and emulsified.
- Store in an air-tight glass jar.
- Use before swimming (preferably after rinsing skin) to minimize chlorine exposure. This is purposefully a small batch since no preservatives are used and it will only Ā last one swim season.
Nishu says
Absolutely great post prerna! I’m a keen swimmer and I obviously struggle with skin and hair issues. Dry hair.hair fall. Dry skin. This post is Gold. Thank you.
Prerna Sinha says
Thanks, worked really hard on this one :).
Rinkal says
Absolutely informative post
Looking forward for more as it helps us to understand the dos and donts. Clearly
Prerna Sinha says
Thanks Rinkal, glad you find them useful.
Deepika says
Very informative! Thank you ! What would you advise for the don care ?
Prerna Sinha says
I am sorry I didn’t get what don care is?