Soaking up the Sun and Harmful Chlorine

Protecting your skin and hair from the dangers of chlorine this summer

This past weekend, I spent time with my family at the pool, and I started thinking about the effects of chlorine on your skin and hair.

So I did some digging…

Chlorine is an oxidizing agent, meaning it bonds with free-floating molecules in your pool in an effort to protect your skin from harmful bacteria in the water. While this is good, chlorine also strips natural oils off your skin while you swim. This can destroy much needed protein within the body and can lead to dryness and rashes for those with sensitive skin. In the long run, chlorine can actually harm our intestinal flora that helps us digest food and properly produce various vitamins. Chlorine is also believed to lead to premature aging over time. Not only is it important to protect your skin but also crucial to protect your hair. Chlorine can make your hair dry, brittle, and frizzy, especially if one already has eczema.

But this does not mean that you and your loved ones can’t have summer fun.

There are ways to better protect your skin from potentially harmful chemicals in the pool. For instance, it is encouraged to rinse with water and soap after you swim. To treat your hair, it’s advised to rinse it with water before you go in the pool so as to slow the absorption of chlorine. You can even add coconut oil to your hair to act as another protective barrier. Still, this does not mean we are bulletproof and we must think about our exposure to chemicals, especially as we soak up our remaining days of summer.

Sophia - Founder of Mali Mali™


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