Swimming is great for fitness, relaxation and family time, but regular time in the water can leave skin and hair feeling a little different.
After swimming, skin may feel dry, tight or uncomfortable, while hair can feel rough, tangled or harder to manage. And even after a quick rinse, that familiar pool smell can sometimes seem to linger.
A good swim care routine doesn't have to start when you get out of the water.
Thinking about swim care in three simple stages — Before, Wash and After — can help you care for skin and hair throughout your swim, whether you're taking little ones to swimming lessons, heading to squad training or simply enjoying a few laps yourself.
Why can swimming leave skin and hair feeling different?
Swimming pool water is carefully treated to help keep it safe and hygienic, with chlorine commonly used as a disinfectant.
While chlorine plays an important role in pool hygiene, repeated exposure to chlorinated water can contribute to that familiar dry or tight feeling swimmers may notice after leaving the pool.
Hair can also feel different after swimming. Repeated wetting, exposure to pool water and washing can leave hair feeling dry, rough or tangled, particularly when it is long, colour-treated or naturally dry.
Rather than relying on one product once you leave the pool, a complete swimmer skincare and hair care routine can be broken down into three easy stages.
Step 1: BEFORE — Prep skin and hair
Your swim care routine can begin before you even enter the water.
Prep your skin
Applying a moisturising barrier lotion before swimming is an easy addition to your routine, particularly if your skin tends to feel dry after time in the pool.
Little Étoile Soothing Barrier Lotion can be incorporated into your before-swim routine to moisturise and condition the skin before you head into the water.
If you're swimming outdoors, sun protection is also essential. Apply an appropriate broad-spectrum sunscreen according to its label directions and reapply as required.
Prep your hair
Hair can benefit from a little pre-swim care too.
For children, Little Étoile Hair Oil can be applied to the lengths and ends to help condition and soften the hair before swimming. It can also be used again after swimming to help keep hair feeling soft and manageable.
Longer hair can be gently tied back or tucked into a swimming cap to help minimise tangling during a swim.
Before you swim:
- Moisturise and prepare the skin
- Condition longer or dry-feeling hair
- Tie back long hair or use a swimming cap
- Apply sunscreen when swimming outdoors
Then it's time to swim.
Step 2: WASH — Cleanse away swim residues
Once you're out of the water, cleansing is an important part of your post swim routine.
Start by rinsing the body and hair with fresh water as soon as practical after leaving the pool.
Then use a cleanser suited to the swimmer.
For little swimmers: Little Étoile SwimProtect 2-in-1 Shampoo & Body Wash
Designed with young swimmers in mind, Little Étoile SwimProtect 2-in-1 Shampoo & Body Wash makes it easy to wash both hair and body in one step after swimming.
Its swim-specific cleansing formula helps cleanse away post-swim residues while making the after-pool routine simpler for children and parents.
For teen swimmers: Salvarity SwimFresh 2-in-1 Wash + Shampoo
For teens, Salvarity SwimFresh 2-in-1 Wash + Shampoo offers an easy hair-and-body cleansing step that can fit into an active routine.
Use it after leaving the pool to thoroughly cleanse the skin, scalp and hair as part of a simple post-swim shower.
For adult swimmers: Garden of Wellness Swim Soothe Shampoo & Body Wash
For adults, Garden of Wellness Swim Soothe Shampoo & Body Wash brings hair and body cleansing together in one convenient post-swim step.
Use after swimming to cleanse the skin and hair of swim residues before moving on to the replenishing stage of your routine.
Whichever cleanser you choose, avoid excessively hot showers if your skin already feels dry after swimming. Comfortable lukewarm water and gentle cleansing are all you need.
Step 3: AFTER — Moisturise and condition
Clean skin and hair are only part of the routine. The final stage focuses on replenishing moisture and keeping hair soft and manageable.
Give hair some post-swim conditioning
Swimming can leave hair feeling tangled, rough or difficult to brush, so follow cleansing with a conditioner suited to your hair.
For teens, pair Salvarity SwimFresh 2-in-1 Wash + Shampoo with the Salvarity Shine On Conditioner to help condition and detangle the hair after swimming.
Adult swimmers can follow Garden of Wellness Swim Soothe Shampoo & Body Wash with the Garden of Wellness Soft Restore Conditioner to help restore softness and manageability to post-swim hair.
Gently work conditioner through the lengths and ends before rinsing according to the product directions.
For children with longer, dry or tangle-prone hair, a small amount of Little Étoile Hair Oil can be smoothed through the lengths and ends after washing to help condition and keep hair soft and manageable.
Replenish moisture in the skin
After showering, gently pat rather than vigorously rub the skin dry.
Follow with a moisturiser while the skin is still slightly damp.
For adults, Garden of Wellness Barrier Lotion can be used again after swimming to moisturise and condition freshly cleansed skin.
For children, Little Étoile Skin Recovery Cream provides a richer post-swim moisturising step for dry-feeling skin, helping leave it feeling soft, moisturised and comfortable.
Pay particular attention to areas that tend to feel dry after swimming, such as the legs, arms, elbows and knees.
Your 3-step swim care routine at a glance
The easiest way to remember your routine is:
1. BEFORE — PREP
Moisturise skin and condition hair before getting into the water.
2. WASH — CLEANSE
Rinse after swimming and thoroughly cleanse the skin, scalp and hair.
3. AFTER — REPLENISH
Moisturise freshly cleansed skin and condition and detangle the hair.
The products you choose can then be tailored to the swimmer.
What should you put in your swim bag?
Keeping your swim care essentials together can make the routine much easier, particularly for frequent swimmers and busy families.
Consider packing:
- A before-swim moisturiser
- Hair oil if needed
- Sunscreen for outdoor swimming
- 2-in-1 shampoo and body wash
- Conditioner
- Post-swim moisturiser
- Wide-tooth comb or detangling brush
- Clean towel
You don't need a complicated routine. A few well-chosen products for before, wash and after can make swim care much easier to remember.
What about swimming at the beach?
The same three-step philosophy can be useful beyond the pool.
Salt water, sun, wind and sand can all leave skin and hair feeling different after a day at the beach.
Before heading out, prepare the skin and hair and use appropriate sun protection. Afterwards, rinse away salt, sand and sunscreen before cleansing, then moisturise the skin and condition the hair.
So whether you're heading to the pool, beach, swimming lessons or training, the routine stays simple:
Before. Wash. After.
Build your swim care routine
There's no need for a complicated multi-step routine every time you go swimming.
Instead, think about what your skin and hair need at each stage.
BEFORE — Prepare skin and hair.
WASH — Cleanse away swim residues.
AFTER — Replenish moisture and condition.
From children learning to swim, to teens at training, to adults who love spending time in the water, the right swim care routine can make caring for post-swim skin and hair simple.
Explore Little Étoile, Salvarity and Garden of Wellness swim care to build a Before, Wash and After routine suited to every swimmer.
FAQs
What is a simple swim-care routine for kids?
Keep it simple: prepare, cleanse and replenish. Choose products suitable for your child's age, rinse skin and hair with fresh water after swimming, then use a gentle swim-specific cleanser and moisturising after-care as needed. Always follow each product's directions.
What should a swim-care routine for women include?
Choose your routine according to your skin and hair needs. After swimming, rinse with fresh water, cleanse gently with a swim-specific cleanser, and moisturise dry-feeling skin. For hair, follow cleansing with a conditioner suited to your hair type. A swim cap can also help limit exposure to pool water.
How should I care for my skin after swimming in chlorine?
Shower with fresh water after leaving the pool and use a swim specific cleanser to wash away residues. Gently pat your skin dry and apply moisturiser while it is still slightly damp. This helps support moisture after swimming.
Should I use a barrier lotion before swimming?
A suitable moisturiser or barrier product can form part of your before-swim skin-care routine. Choose a product intended for this use and follow its directions. You should still rinse and care for your skin after swimming. A barrier lotion does not replace sunscreen for outdoor swimming.
Do I need a swim spray for my hair?
A spray is one option, but it is not essential to every routine. Rinse your hair after swimming, use a suitable shampoo and follow with conditioner. A hair oil used before swim water exposure can help protect the hair against chlorine and saltwater damage.
How do I choose a swim cream or lotion?
Look for a product that suits the swimmer's age, skin needs and intended routine step. Before-swim care, cleansing and after-swim moisturising have different roles. Check the label rather than assuming every product described as a "swim cream" does the same job.
