Summary
Chloramines, which cause skin irritation and the typical “pool smell,” are created when chlorine reacts with contaminants on the skin. This process can be mitigated through pre-swim showers and the use of specialized soaps.
Effective post-swim care requires neutralizing ingredients such as activated charcoal and botanical oils to remove chemical residue and restore skin hydration. This supports the long-term skin health of swimmers. Some ordinary soaps can react poorly with chlorine residue and make the itchy feeling worse.
Blog contributed by Watermark Body Care
Imagery contributed by J.W. Barnes, JB Portfolio
Reading Time: 3–4 minutes
The dedicated swimmer understands that the shower can become a ritual—one where skincare transforms a simple cleanse into an art form. It is where skin, having braved the pool’s chemical embrace, is restored.
Shower Fact: The first shower was patented in England in 1767 by William Feetham. It used a hand pump to force water into a vessel above the user’s head.
The Art of Preparation: A Pre-Swim Cleanse
Performance begins with preparation. For a swimmer, this includes taking a pre-swim shower.
Many public facilities encourage this practice for hygiene, but a trained swimmer also understands its value for skin protection. Showering with soap before entering the pool removes surface contaminants such as sweat, lotions, and excess body oils.
When these substances react with chlorine, they can form chloramines—the harsh compounds associated with the familiar “pool smell” and a common cause of skin and eye irritation.
Shower Fact: About 60% of people admit to singing while showering.
By cleansing your skin beforehand, you contribute to a cleaner, healthier pool environment while preparing your skin for the water.
When your skin and hair are already saturated with clean water, they are less likely to absorb as much chlorinated pool water. This simple step provides a proactive first line of defense, helping minimize chemical exposure and creating the conditions for a more comfortable, irritation-free swim.
The Restoration: The Post-Swim Shower
Shower immediately: It is best to shower as soon as possible after swimming so pool chemicals do not remain on your skin.
The primary goal of the post-swim shower is to remove chlorine residue from the skin and hair, neutralize its drying effects, and restore the skin’s delicate moisture balance.
Ordinary soaps may be poorly suited to this task and can contribute to the itchiness and dryness experienced by many swimmers. A dedicated chlorine-removing soap is formulated with ingredients that help break down and wash away chemical residue.
An important detail many swimmers overlook involves the swim cap. It is best to remove your cap while standing beneath the shower stream. This allows clean water to immediately rinse away sweat and pool chemicals that have accumulated underneath it, providing an initial cleanse for your hair and scalp before you reach for shampoo.
Another useful technique is to lather your swimsuit before removing it. Using a restorative post-swim skincare bar, such as a purifying charcoal soap, work up a rich lather on the exterior of the suit.
Activated charcoal can help address chlorine residue absorbed by the fabric, reducing prolonged contact with your skin as you remove the garment. Once the suit has been lathered, rinse it thoroughly, remove it, and proceed with your personal cleansing ritual.
Breaking Down the Post-Pool Shower
Arrange Your Essentials
Begin by arranging your post-swim essentials with care and precision. Lay out your artisanal soap and soap-saver bag, ensuring the bag is ready for use. Follow these with your shampoo, a clean towel, and fresh, comfortable clothing.
This thoughtful preparation establishes an indulgent, eco-conscious cleansing ritual that celebrates both style and sustainability.
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Keep your suit and cap on: Do not remove them immediately. Step beneath the shower stream and allow clean water to flow over you. Remove your swim cap while standing beneath the water so your hair and scalp can begin rinsing immediately.
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Lather your swim gear: You invested time and money in a quality swimsuit, so take care of it. If you are using a chlorine-neutralizing bar such as Watermark’s Center Lane Bar with charcoal, gently lather the exterior of the suit. Otherwise, rinse it thoroughly with clean water. You can then remove the suit, rinse it again, and hang it to dry.
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Step into the stream: Warm water can help relax your muscles and prepare your skin for a deeper, more rejuvenating cleanse.
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Prepare your space: Step away from the direct stream of water before creating your lather. This prevents the soap from being washed away before it has time to work.
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Secure your soap: Place your chosen soap bar inside a soap-saver bag and pull the drawstring tight. Instead of using a traditional plastic loofah, consider a reusable soap bag or washcloth.
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Remember how soap works: Soap needs time to do its job. Wet the bagged soap and rub it between your hands for approximately 20 seconds, allowing the bar to become hydrated and produce a rich lather.
Massage the lather into your skin using gentle circular motions. This cleanses and lightly exfoliates, helping leave the skin soft and smooth.
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Create sustainable suds: Remain outside the direct stream while building your lather. Enjoy the fragrance and texture of the soap as you work it into your hands and massage it over your body.
The textured weave of the soap-saver bag helps produce a creamy, abundant lather while gently exfoliating chlorine-exposed dead skin cells.
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Cleanse thoroughly: Massage the lather over your entire body. When using a Watermark cleansing bar, pay particular attention to areas that received the most exposure or are prone to dryness.
Focus on the scalp, underarms, neck, and feet, as these are common areas where chemicals, sweat, and bacteria can collect.
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Do not overdo it: Your body may have already been immersed in water for an extended period, so avoid scrubbing too aggressively.
Excessive scrubbing can irritate the skin and disrupt its microbiome—the community of beneficial microorganisms that helps support the skin’s natural protective barrier.
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Rinse completely: Step back into the shower stream and rinse every trace of soap from your skin. Thorough rinsing helps prevent residue from remaining on the skin as it dries.
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Store your soap with care: After rinsing your body, rinse the soap-saver bag to remove excess lather. Hang it by its loop in a well-ventilated location.
Allowing both the soap and the bag to dry completely helps preserve the life of the artisanal bar and keeps it firm between uses.
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Dry off gently: A smaller towel may be useful at this stage. Pat your skin dry instead of rubbing it aggressively.
Most people dry themselves outside the shower rather than while standing inside it. At the pool, use additional caution to avoid slipping on wet surfaces.
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Wrap everything for the ride home: Wrap your suit and soap in a towel temporarily, then hang them to dry when you arrive home. When available, use a swim bag designed to carry wet clothing and gear without damaging your swimsuit.
The Finishing Touch: Post-Shower Hydration
The final act of this restorative ritual is locking in moisture. Chlorine can be exceptionally drying, and even after using a dedicated post-swim soap, your skin may still benefit from additional hydration.
After gently toweling off, apply a high-quality Watermark body lotion or moisturizer while your skin is still slightly damp. This final step helps seal in hydration, soothe the skin, and leave it feeling soft, supple, and restored.
For some swimmers, this step may not always be necessary, particularly when using post-swim soaps formulated with moisturizing and conditioning ingredients.
Some competitive swimmers also practice a “cold-water finish,” ending their shower with approximately 30 seconds of cool water. Swimmers often use this technique to feel refreshed and invigorated after a strenuous workout.
A soap-saver bag is also a valuable sustainability tool. Small leftover pieces of soap can be collected inside the bag and used together to create a practical lather. This ensures that every portion of a handcrafted soap bar is used rather than discarded.
It is a small practice that reflects a larger commitment to mindful, low-waste living.
By embracing this complete showering ritual, you can transform a daily necessity into a restorative experience—one that honors your skin, your equipment, and your dedication to the art of swimming.
Blog Contributed by Watermark Body Care Imagery Contributed by J.W Barnes, JB Portfolio