Does Swimming Trigger Your Acne Problem? Here’s What You Need To Do

Written by Sanya Hamdani27th Sep 2019
Does swimming trigger your acne problem? Here’s what you need to do

Swimming can be a great workout – it is fun, keeps your muscles toned and your body cool. However, regular and prolonged exposure to chlorinated water can be bad for your skin and hair, especially if you have acne-prone skin. Chlorine and other chemicals can cause acne to flare up as well as worsen other existing skin conditions. So should you stay away from pool water completely? No, that’s not what we are suggesting, instead follow these tips to ensure swimming does not make your acne worse.

 

Apply a sunscreen

Treat your skin to a calming mask

Whether you swim indoors or outdoors, sunscreen is an absolute must during the day. Apart from protecting your skin from the harsh UVA and UVB rays, a waterproof sunscreen will form a protective layer between chlorinated water and your skin. This minimises the risk of acne flare ups or other skin conditions from getting worse. You can also apply a few drops of jojoba oil before jumping in the pool to avoid direct contact with the chemicals in the water.

 

Immediately shower after swimming

Treat your skin to a calming mask

Allowing chlorinated water to dry out on your skin will make skin conditions worse. It is important to rinse the chlorine off your skin to prevent dryness and protect the moisture barrier of your skin. A quick shower will minimise the damage to your skin and hair.

 

Use an alcohol-free toner

Treat your skin to a calming mask

Most people prefer washing their face with a gentle cleanser post swimming, which is the ideal thing to do. However, you can go a step further and wipe your face with an alcohol-free toner to restore the pH balance. Either carry it in your bag or do this once you get home. Don’t forget to follow it up with a gentle, lightweight moisturiser.

 

Treat your skin to a calming mask

Treat your skin to a calming mask

Each time you expose your skin to chemicals that cause dryness, it’s a good idea to add some extra hydration to your beauty routine. Your skin tends to produce excess oil if the top layer feels dry and thereby lead to acne, a nourishing facial mask will deliver hydration to the deeper layers of the skin and prevent breakouts.

Sanya Hamdani

Written by

Sanya Hamdani is a skincare enthusiast and lipstick hoarder, she truly believes no two red lipsticks look exactly alike. With a Master's degree in Communication & Journalism and 5+ years of digital writing experience up her sleeve, Sanya has some of the biggest beauty experts in the country on her speed dial. When she's not swatching products or writing about the latest trends in beauty, you will find her watching F.R.I.E.N.D.S. or cooking up a storm in the kitchen.

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