As the temperatures rise, we all find ourselves longing for a cool dip in the pool. A good swim is a great total-body workout that's fun, relaxing, and keeps us fit and healthy. However, as enjoyable as this may be, it can be quite traumatic for our skin.

But, since most of us won’t swear off swimming because of this, we've discovered 6 simple ways to reduce chlorine's negative effects on the skin:

 

1. Shower before you swim

1. Shower before you swim

Spending several minutes showering before jumping into the pool will ensure that lesser chlorine bonds to the skin's surface. This happens because the skin is less likely to absorb water from the pool once it's already wet. This pre-pool ritual will also remove the excess sweat that interacts with chlorine, thus reducing the formation of chloramine on the skin, and in turn, skin damage.

2. Hydrate with some SPF or coconut oil

Follow the shower by slathering a thick coat of coconut oil or waterproof sunscreen, all over your body. This will provide the skin with an extra layer of protection against the sun's rays that tend to magnify in water, and shield it against chlorine sensitivities.

3. Drink water

Our skin is much more likely to feel rough and dry if we're dehydrated. And naturally, the inverse is also true - the skin will stay supple when it's hydrated!

Hence, drinking plenty of water before heading to the pool and after a swim, will go a long way to help purify the skin, replenish lost moisture and flush out the toxins (here, chlorine).

 

4. Prefer swimming outdoors

4. Prefer swimming outdoors

Most issues with swimming pool chemicals happen when gases have no places to escape—very typical of indoor pools—where the chorine remains at the surface. Alternately, swimming outdoors allows gases from the chemicals in the water to escape into the air, leaving lesser gases to contaminate your skin.

5. Rinse, rinse and rinse!

Since we can't do much about the chlorine in water, flushing the chemicals out of our skin immediately after a swim is imperative. Using a special after-swim body wash and bathing within minutes of getting out of the pool can get rid of chlorine deposits and prevent skin damage.

6. Seal in the moisture with some lotion

Be sure to reach for a good moisturizing butter or Vaseline (with a high content of vitamin E and vitamin C) after your pool time. Rehydrate every inch of the skin, taking extra care of areas where your skin is the thinnest and therefore most susceptible to damage.

So now, there's no reason to steer clear of swimming pools!