Swimming is a complete fitness regimen and lately, everyone’s been diving into it. We’d advise you to slather some of the best lotions for swimmers before you take the plunge. Swimming pools are often packed with chemicals, and if proper skincare adjustments aren't made, they can leave skin dry, tight, and sensitive. Dr. Andrea Suarez, a dermatologist, says, “Pools have chlorine that can be irritating not only to your skin but also to your hair. When swimming outdoors, there’s also sun exposure. The combination of sweat, chlorine, and sun wreak havoc on your skin and hair.” The pool water's ability to deplete the skin of its natural oils and lipids as well as disturb the pH of the skin can be traced to chlorine as the main culprit for complexion-wrecking effects.

Suarez says the number one rule is to apply a thick layer of water-resistant SPF from head to toe. But the most important is to grease up with a lotion like a vaseline. “It provides a barrier on the skin to avoid irritation of the skin. It will also help with chafing. A lot of swimmers experience chafing and irritation with repetitive movements in the swimming session.” As important as it is to maintain a safe regimen before getting into the pool, moisturizing after is essential too. “Apply a plain moisturizer to the skin to reduce irritation and if you are unfortunate enough to experience a sunburn, applying a moisturizer to the wounded skin will help soothe it,” says Suarez. Here’s a list of the lotions you can choose from to avoid your skin from suffering.

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  Best for Dry Skin

  Jergens Ultra Healing Dry Skin Moisturizer

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This hand and body lotion helps improve the skin’s appearance by making the texture soft and supple. It is great, particularly for the tough areas of the skin that leave you looking like you never moisturize —especially elbows, knees, and heels, which are often harsh. The lotion penetrates deep within the  layers of skin to reduce the dryness internally.  Applying this moisturiser before and after a swim will ensure that your skin's health is taken care of too. It has a combination of vitamins B, C, and E that adds glow to the skin.

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Budget-friendly

Nivea Intense Healing Body Lotion

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Nivea Intense Healing Body Lotion acts as a nourishing oasis of moisturizer for skin that is as dry as the desert. Users have strongly recommended the use of this healing moisturiser as it can also help repair deep cuts caused by excessive dryness. This restorative lotion deeply hydrates and soothes the skin, enhanced with Nivea Deep Nourishing Serum and Provitamin B5. . Its highly absorbing formula is best suited for skin that is extremely dry or rough or skin that is constantly exposed to chemical irritants like chlorine. It also comes in a convenient pump bottle for a quick application that’s also mess-free. The non-greasy formula of the body lotion is a bonus for anyone who loathes the idea of sticky moisturizers.

Quick Tip

Those with dry skin, can add a few drops of olive oil to the lotion. This combo smoothens, hydrates the skin, and reduces chlorine damage.

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Best for Skin Glow

Gold Bond Radiance Renewal Hydrating Lotion

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Enriched with shea butter, almond butter, coconut extracts, and cocoa butter, this hydrating lotion helps nourish and rejuvenate your skin. The buttery concoction developed by the ingredients makes the skin soft and supple, enough to make it look like the age clock is ticking in reverse. Shea and cocoa butter's airy texture works well without having a thick lotion-like texture. The skin all over your body can benefit from using this hydrating lotion that has soothing ingredients. It has a non-greasy but is best  not applied to the face as some people may experience acne.

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Best for Sensitive Skin

Lubriderm Advanced Therapy Lotion

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Lubriderm Advanced Therapy Lotion is the best skin lotion for swimmers if they have extremely dry and sensitive skin. It transforms thirsty skin within a week to give it the nourishment it was craving for. This lotion is specifically created to hydrate, nourish, and improve the skin's moisture barrier and has been scientifically proven to keep the moisture locked in for the whole day. This moisturizing lotion is formulated with lipids, pro-vitamin B5, and vitamin E to help build the moisture barrier on your skin. You also get 2 bottles in this pack, so you can not only hydrate your skin but also encourage your loved ones too. It is a great lotion that is also trusted by many dermatologists.

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Everyone Nourishing Hand And Body Lotion

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Infused with the uplifting brightness of orange pure essential oil with the calming zen of lavender pure essential oils, this hand and body lotion gives you a well-nourished skin. It is the best tool for softer skin as the soothing citrus-mint lotion is lightweight enough for your face and is sufficiently hydrating for your hands and body. Your skin will be rejuvenated and nourished thanks to the cooling freshness of peppermint pure essential oil and the uplifting burst of citrus. After all, after a good swim, your skin needs to feel good too. We often feel like we have been in the water long to skip the moisturizer but it’s the other way around– the more time you spend swimming, the more hydration your skin needs.

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Best for Eczema-prone Skin

O'Keeffe's Skin Repair Body Lotion

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If you are someone who has a tough time finding a suitable moisturizer for your face and body, here’s your answer. O'Keeffe's Skin Repair Body Lotion doesn't make you look and feel like you opened pandora’s jar to skin issues. On the contrary, if you have skin conditions like eczema or have trouble with rashes and extreme dryness and itching caused due to underlying diabetes, this moisturizer is a Godsend. It’s not greasy and feels refreshing on dry and cracked skin. The formula is also hypoallergenic and prevents any flare-up that’s critical to extremely itchy skin.

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Diva Stuff Pre-Swim Aqua Therapy

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Diva Stuff Pre-Swim Aqua Therapy is a chlorine-neutralizing body moisturizing lotion for swimmers that is specially designed to protect the skin from chlorine and salt water. It is the best lotion for after swimming. It can also be used before you dive into the waters too because it is rich in vitamin C which instantly neutralizes the harsh effects of chlorine–like rashes, itchiness, etc. The lotion  contains beeswax which forms a protective layer on the skin, much like wax, to prevent over stripping of moisture from it. The lotion is also formulated with enriching ingredients like Jamaican black castor oil, cocoa, and shea butter. Most pools have bromine and chlorine which are awful for the skin, and this lotion will be your armor.

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Triswim Swimmers Lotion

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This humble tube of hydration is made with nature’s best moisturizing element–aloe vera. It also contains vitamins A, E, and Pro Vitamin B that offer salon-styled hydration for the skin of swimmers who love marinating themselves in pools rich in chlorine or water bodies abundant with salt. Triswim Swimmers Lotion not only heals skin that is exposed to harsh chemicals but helps in restoring sunburnt skin too. Moreover, it also provides protection from the sun while you soak yourself in the sun and sand. So it’s entirely up to you –slather a bit of this restorative product on your skin either before or after you take the plunge and you’ll be grateful to yourself for it.

Quick Tip

Use this lotion at least 30 minutes before you step into the pool. This allows the product to fully seep in without clogging the pores.

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Trihard Pre & Post Swim Body Lotion

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Trihard Pre and Post Swim Body Lotion is a unique moisturizing and replenishing lotion that contains Dead sea minerals that are known to be super healthy for the skin. This is by far the best cream for swimming pool and natural water exposure as it contains natural red algae and botanical extracts. It is wonderful for all athletic swimmers who engage in regular water activities. If you don't believe us, you will most definitely believe the 300 swimmers, watersports athletes, and triathletes who designed and tested this in the quest for better chlorine removal products.

Knowledge is power– and knowing what to look for in your moisturizer before buying it is important because only an effective product will serve the purpose. Here’s what you need to look for in the best moisturizer for swimmers to keep the water baby in you splashing!

SPF and Waterproof
Although it's a given that you need a water-resistant or waterproof product if you are using it while in water, most people may ignore the SPF content in their moisturizers. Choose something that is water-resistant and ideally includes broad-spectrum sun protection in the form of SPF so that it won't rub off when you splash around in a pool or the sea. These are both significant in maintaining skin's health and prevent it from premature aging and sagging. 

Ingredients
While essential oils and natural butter nourish the skin and leave you feeling hydrated, ingredients like vitamin C assist in mitigating the effects of chlorine and bromine. Other ingredients that can get you sold are aloe vera, shea butter, coconut oil, and natural elements of the like. 

Pro Tip

Before looking at basic ingredients, test your skin type. Those with oily skin must avoid shea butter, while those with dry skin must lather extra dry skin before entering the pool.

Scent
The unpleasant smell that chlorine frequently leaves on your skin and clothing can be eliminated with a moderate fragrance. So, look for aromas or scents on the label of every product, but before you buy a scented moisturizer, make sure it won't irritate your skin or cause allergies.  

A relaxing summer day by a picturesque beach or a comfy pool may be the finest way to enjoy the season. You probably already have a hot bikini, cute towels, beach hats, and clarifying shampoo in your beach bag ready for the sun to shine bright at you. However, you might want to take some time to prepare your skin before diving in. Here are a few must-dos to take care of your skin before and after a swim.

Pre-swim prep
Before entering the pool, take a quick shower to retain water in the top layer of skin and prevent drying. Rinsing your hair also protects it from chemical damage and keeps it from absorbing chemicals from the water. A hack is to use coconut oil to stop chlorine from turning your hair green, a handy trick for those of you with blonde or colored hair! It seals and prevents chlorine from affecting the color of your hair by moisturizing the hair cuticle. Well, make sure its scent is not too strong for others in the pool.

Prevent chafing
During their regular sessions, some swimmers might experience body chafing in certain spots. Applying petroleum jelly to these areas before swimming can help to reduce irritation and prevent skin damage. Daily swimmers who engage in an intense workout with rapid arm and leg movements may experience chaffing. While casual swimmers needn't experience this issue too frequently, but just in case, keep a tub floating around in your bag because you never know when chaffing strikes!

Tip: Apply a barrier product to your skin before entering the pool to prevent the itching and redness that can be so irritating. Look for products with glycerin, oils, or petrolatum indicated on the ingredients. Having dimethicone, which creates a barrier between the chlorine and your sensitive skin, is preferable.

Shower habits
If you delay taking a shower after a swim until you get home, your skin will be at the receiving end of damage. The skin shouldn't be exposed to chlorinated water for an extended amount of time. To prevent further dryness, it is better to use warm to lukewarm water to rinse and also use a gentle, replenishing cleanser or body wash in the shower to assist in re-establishing the pH balance of your skin after exposure to pool chemicals.

Brace the face
Fortunately, swimming seldom causes acne breakouts on the face but it could make your facial skin squeaky clean, like the surface of glass when you swipe your hand against it. That is the sound of moisture leaving your skin. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, we'd like to remind you to moisturize and also exfoliate in tandem. Don't forget to rinse your face as soon as you get out of the pool. You may even forget to click a pool selfie but not this.

Don’t forget your hair
To ensure that there are no chemical traces left in your hair, wash it with a cleansing shampoo containing Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA).  Apple cider vinegar is a natural way to get rid of hair remnants but use it with caution. To finish, always condition your hair after washing it to keep it smooth and lustrous!

Don't air dry
After a calorie-burning, fun-filled swimming experience, you might be motivated just enough to lay on your towel and let the sun dry you off.  Well, we'd like to suggest that it's not the wisest course of action. Contrary to popular belief, air drying does not benefit the skin in any way. Using the air to dry your skin will make it even drier. Better yet, give yourself a thorough rinse with fresh water before gently patting yourself dry with a cotton towel. After that, it's time to resume basking in the sun—of course after a generous application of SPF.
Dr. Dray also strongly advises against lurking around in the wet bathing suit post-swims. “A lot of swimmers suffer from acne breakouts because they are hanging around in their wet bathing suits The longer the chemicals stay on your skin, the more likely your skin is to irritation. So always rinse off with lukewarm water,” she says.

Quick Tip: You can use chlorine-neutralizing body lotion in your pre-dive shower if your skin is chlorine-sensitive. This will lessen and reduce the chances of rash or dry, itchy skin both during and after your swim. To prevent any skin conditions from worsening, this is a useful tip for people with eczema. Regular swimmers may want to incorporate this product into their daily skincare routine, but occasional swimmers should keep a bottle on hand to use in the showers at the pool before their swim.

Now that you are acquainted with the best lotions for swimmers to help the skin stay nourished, it's important to think about how your skin will respond to them. Although it might seem obvious, broken or cracked skin is like treading troubled waters. They are vital to ensure a fun and happy pool time. The skin needs to be well-nourished before and after the swim to maintain its youthfulness unless you want to look like a dehydrated zucchini!