The Best Ways to Protect Your Family From Chlorine: Before + After the Pool
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Chlorine might keep pools clean, but it can also be really harsh on our bodies. Between chlorine and chloramines, pool chemicals can strip the skin barrier, dry out hair, irritate eyes, trigger eczema flare-ups, and affect breathing for some people. Indoor pools can be especially irritating because chloramines can build up in the air you’re breathing.
That’s why I always try to lower our exposure where I can. Not from fear, but because those little exposures can add up over time.
One simple thing I like to use? Vitamin C spray. Vitamin C can react with chlorine and help neutralize residual chlorine on the skin before it continues sitting on your body and hair. I like using it before and after swimming, especially during pool season.
Here's the pool routine I use.
Before the Pool
1. Shower First
This is one of the easiest things you can do.
A quick rinse before getting into the pool removes sweat, dirt, oils, and other substances from your skin that can react with chlorine and contribute to chloramine formation.
I also like to fully wet my hair before swimming so it's already saturated with clean water.
2. Apply a Pre-Swim Barrier
I like using a little coconut oil on the skin before swimming, especially on areas that tend to get dry.
You can also use a vitamin C spray as part of your pre-swim routine.
The goal isn't to create some magical force field around your body, it's simply another small step that can help minimize what stays on your skin and hair.
3. Use Your Swim Gear
For kids especially, I like having the basics ready:
- Swim goggles
- Swim cap
- Ear plugs if needed
- Nose plugs if needed
A swim cap can also help reduce how much pool water comes into contact with the hair.
4. Sunscreen When Needed
If we're swimming outdoors, sunscreen is still part of the routine.
I prefer mineral sunscreen options and try to be intentional about when and how much we use rather than treating sunscreen as a substitute for other sun-protection habits.
Check out my blog on sunscreen recommendations here!
5. Hydrate
Swimming can be surprisingly dehydrating, especially during hot summer days.
I make sure we're drinking plenty of water and, when appropriate, using electrolytes or mineral-rich fluids.
My Favorite Pool-Day Step: Vitamin C Spray
This is one of the easiest things to add to your pool bag.
Vitamin C reacts with chlorine, which is why ascorbic acid and sodium ascorbate are used for dechlorination.
I like using a spray before and after swimming, especially during heavy pool season.
It can be used as part of a routine for the skin and hair, followed by a fresh-water rinse.
DIY Vitamin C Chlorine Spray
You'll need:
- 1 cup filtered or distilled water
- 1 teaspoon vitamin C powder
- Sodium ascorbate is my preferred option, but ascorbic acid can also neutralize chlorine
- 1 tablespoon liquid coconut oil, optional for added moisture
- 8 oz amber glass spray bottle
Mix the vitamin C powder into the water until completely dissolved, then add to your spray bottle.
Important: Vitamin C breaks down once it's mixed with water, so I prefer making smaller batches and storing the bottle away from heat and direct light.
If you're using ascorbic acid, remember that it is acidic and may sting irritated or broken skin. Sodium ascorbate is closer to neutral and may be a better option for sensitive skin.
Always patch test a homemade product first and avoid spraying directly into the eyes.
After the Pool
This is where I really try not to let the chlorine sit on our skin and hair all day.
1. Shower Right Away
A good rinse removes residual pool water from your skin and hair.
If possible, I don't wait until bedtime to do this.
2. Use a Chlorine-Removal Shampoo + Body Wash
A simple post-swim wash can help remove chlorine and other pool residue.
Some of my favorites include:
- Swimmers Soap
- Babo Botanicals Swim & Sport
- California Baby
3. Use a Leave-In Conditioner
Pool water can leave hair feeling dry and tangled, so I like following up with a leave-in conditioner.
4. Take a Magnesium or Epsom Salt Bath
If we have time for a bath after swimming, I like adding magnesium flakes or bath salts.
Some of my favorites:
- Ancient Minerals
- Rowe Casa Organics Detox Bath
- Epsom salt
5. Moisturize
After showering, I like applying a simple moisturizer or magnesium lotion while the skin is still slightly damp.
6. Rehydrate + Replenish
After a long day in the sun and water, I focus on food, fluids, minerals, and vitamin C-rich foods.
Think:
- Citrus
- Berries
- Kiwi
- Bell peppers
- Broccoli
- Mineral-rich foods
- Plenty of water
You don't need an elaborate supplement routine every time you swim. Sometimes the basics really are enough.
What About Saltwater Pools?
Here's something a lot of people don't realize:
Saltwater pools still use chlorine.
Saltwater pool systems use an electrolytic process to generate chlorine from salt in the water. So while the experience can feel different from a traditionally chlorinated pool, it isn't completely chlorine-free.
That's why I still use the same basic pre- and post-swim routine when we're swimming in a saltwater pool.
Indoor vs. Outdoor Pools
If you've ever walked into an indoor pool and immediately smelled that strong "chlorine" smell, there's a good chance you're actually smelling chloramines.
Chloramines form when chlorine reacts with things swimmers bring into the water, including sweat and body oils. They can then move into the air above the pool. Indoor pools can have more of an issue with buildup when ventilation isn't adequate.
That's one reason I prefer well-ventilated swimming environments when we have a choice.
And if an indoor pool is making your eyes burn or causing coughing, wheezing, or significant irritation, that's something to pay attention to rather than just assuming it's normal.
My Chlorine Protection Favorites
These are the products I like having around during pool season:
Vitamin C
- MaryRuth Organics
- Perfect Supplements
- Dr. GreenLife
- Nutribiotic
Glutathione
- Seeking Health
Chlorine Wash
- Swimmers Soap
- Babo Botanicals
- California Baby
Leave-In Conditioner
- Earthley
Vitamin C Spray + Lotion
- Rowe Casa Organics
- Blue Egg Farmstore / Protect
Magnesium
- Salt Lab
- Rowe Casa Organics
Other Pool Support
- Takesumi Supreme
- Vitabath Dechlorination Tabs
- Roots & Leaves Chlorine Fluoride Detox Tea
- Kosmatology Chlorine Removal Lotion Bar
- Conscious Coconut
Epsom Salt
- Ancient Minerals
- Rowe Casa Organics
Castor Oil Packs
- Queen of Thrones
- Elhams
Swim Gear
- Swim goggles
- Swim cap
- Ear plugs
- Nose plugs
SHOP JASYRA'S CURRENT CHLORINE PROTECTION FAVORITES + DISCOUNT CODES
A Few Things I Don't Do
I don't try to completely avoid swimming because of chlorine.
I also don't believe you need a giant "detox" protocol every time your kids get in a pool.
For me, it's about simple things that are easy enough to actually do:
Rinse before.
Protect what you can.
Swim.
Rinse after.
Wash your hair and skin.
Moisturize.
Hydrate.
That's it.
You don't have to make pool season complicated to be more intentional about chlorine exposure.
My Pool-Day Routine at a Glance
BEFORE
✓ Shower + wet hair
✓ Vitamin C spray
✓ Coconut oil if desired
✓ Swim cap + goggles
✓ Sunscreen for outdoor swimming
✓ Hydrate
AFTER
✓ Shower immediately
✓ Chlorine-removal wash
✓ Leave-in conditioner
✓ Vitamin C spray
✓ Magnesium/Epsom salt bath if desired
✓ Moisturize
✓ Hydrate + eat vitamin C-rich foods
Save this for pool season and send it to a mama who needs it. 🏊♀️
Final Thoughts
Swimming is one of my favorite parts of summer, and I don't want fear around pool chemicals to take that away.
But I also don't think we have to ignore the effects that chlorine and chloramines can have on our skin, eyes, hair, and breathing, especially when we're swimming frequently.
A few simple habits can go a long way toward making pool days more comfortable.
For me, the biggest thing is remembering that small swaps and simple routines add up.
You don't have to do everything perfectly.
Just start with the things that are easy to make part of your normal pool routine.
Disclaimer: This post is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Homemade products can cause irritation or allergic reactions, especially on sensitive or broken skin. Patch test topical products before widespread use, avoid contact with the eyes, and follow product labels. If swimming consistently causes significant skin, eye, or respiratory symptoms, talk with a qualified healthcare professional.