Summer swimming is one of the best things about the warmer months - whether that's a morning dip in the sea, a few lengths at the local pool or an impromptu wild swim in a Scottish loch. But while the benefits for your body and mind are well documented, your skin tells a slightly different story.
If you've ever stepped out of the water feeling tight, dry or itchy, you'll know the feeling. The good news is that understanding what's happening, and why, makes it much easier to look after your skin through the swimming season.
Chlorine is essential for keeping pool water clean and free from bacteria. But it's also harsh on skin. It strips away the natural oils that form your skin's protective barrier, leaving skin more vulnerable to moisture loss. The result is that tight, dry feeling after a swim that many regular pool users recognise.
For those with sensitive skin or conditions like eczema or psoriasis, the effects can be more pronounced. Repeated exposure to chlorine over the course of a swimming season can lead to chronic dryness, flakiness and irritation if skin isn't properly cared for between sessions.
Saltwater is generally gentler than chlorine, and in moderation can have mild anti-inflammatory and exfoliating properties - which is why some people find sea swimming beneficial for certain skin conditions. But salt also draws moisture from the skin, and the longer you're in the water, the more pronounced that effect becomes.
Combined with wind and sun exposure on the beach - both of which further compromise the skin's protective barrier - the cumulative impact of a day by the sea is more significant than most people realise. Sun exposure in particular accelerates moisture loss and can cause oxidative stress on the skin, making post-swim skincare more important than ever.
After your swim - the routine that matters
What you do when you get home after a day in the water makes the biggest difference to how your skin feels and recovers.
Shower as soon as you can to rinse off any residual chlorine or salt. Use lukewarm water rather than hot: hot water opens the pores and can strip even more of the skin's natural oils. Pat your skin dry rather than rubbing, which can cause additional irritation on already sensitised skin.
Then, while your skin is still slightly damp, apply a moisturiser. This helps seal in the remaining moisture rather than letting it evaporate. Look for products with ingredients that actively nourish and restore rather than just sit on the surface.
A note on ingredients
Shea butter is particularly effective at restoring the skin's lipid barrier after swimming. Organic aloe vera helps calm any redness or irritation, and extracts of chamomile, lavender and nettle add further soothing support.
Bog myrtle - wild-harvested and distilled near our Fort William workshop - has been used by Scots herbalists for centuries for its skin-soothing properties. It's the kind of ingredient that works particularly well for skin that's been exposed to the elements, making our Scottish Bog Myrtle range a natural fit for summer swimmers.
