Chlorine is used in swimming pools to kill bacteria, but it is not good for your skin. Why? Because chlorine in the presence of water and sunlight causes superficial pigmentation of tanning.
How? Sunlight gets reflected on the water, and in the presence of chlorine, it causes dehydration on the skin, causing tanning.
So, how can you remove the tan on your body caused due to chlorine water? Do not worry! Read the article to know some helpful tips for removing and preventing tan.
16 Ways to Get Rid of Tan Caused Due to Chlorine Water
Chlorine makes your skin dry and aggravates acne, eczema, premature aging, itching, rashes, burns, and kills good bacteria on your skin. So, read the points given below to protect your skin, along with the method of removing tan caused due to chlorine water.
1. Banana and Lemon
Banana has Vitamin A, which helps remove tan, brightening up the skin. When it is used with lemon, the combination of both offers more effective results. The citric acid in lemon accelerates the process of removing tan. Just cut a banana into slices, add half lemon juice, and then mash them well. Strain out the mashed mix to apply the liquid to your skin. After 10 to 15 minutes, wash away the pack and then pat ice cubes on your skin to avoid redness due to lemon.
2. Potato
Potatoes have catecholase, an enzyme that works naturally to lighten your skin tone, removing tan caused due to chlorine water. You can scrub a fresh piece of potato all around your skin post swimming or use the juice of the potato as a pack. Just apply the juice to the skin and let it stay for a few minutes until it dries off, and then wash your skin simply with water.
3. Baking Soda
Baking soda has antibacterial and exfoliating properties that can help you get rid of tan caused due to chlorine water. Make a thick mix of baking soda and water to massage it as a pack on your skin post swimming. Massage for 8 to 10 minutes and wash your skin with water. And repeat the same procedure on alternative days to get effective results.
4. Oats
Take an equal amount of oatmeal powder and buttermilk to form a paste, or mix oatmeal with a bit of lemon juice. Leave either of the packs on your skin for 30 minutes, and then wash with water. Oatmeal in these mixtures works as a tan remover, and buttermilk has lactic acid, which also helps remove the dark layer on your skin naturally, providing you with glowing skin.
Tip: Lemon peel with rose water is an excellent tan remover. Rosewater in it acts as an exfoliating agent.
5. Vitamin C
Vitamin C is highly beneficial for your skin. It helps remove tan and hyperpigmentation, dermatitis, dark spots and help get glowing and youthful skin. You must regularly consume it to enjoy its benefits and apply it to the skin post swimming as a pack to remove tan. Use any supplements of Vitamin C or ingredients containing Vitamin C like Curd, vitamin c serum. Just massage curd all over your skin post swimming to remove tan.
6. Red Lentils, Tomato, and Aloe Vera
Either crush red lentils (masoor daal) or soak them in water overnight or for a few hours and then mash it with tomato puree and aloe vera gel. Apply the thick paste on your skin post swimming and let it dry for 15 to 20 minutes. Then wash your face or massage your face wetting your fingertips to remove the pack. Red lentils work as a tanning agent and tomatoes as a bleaching agent. Aloe vera gel in this paste has Vitamin A, C, antioxidants, and enzymes to help remove tan.
7. Coconut Oil
Coconut has fatty acids, which you can apply all over your body before diving into the pool to protect your skin like sunscreen. You can also apply it to your hair to prevent damage. Just take some coconut oil to your fingertips and massage it on your skin.
8. Shower Before Dive
When your skin is dry, it absorbs chlorine which sinks into the layers, causing tanning. And when you dive in with cosmetic products on your skin, the chemicals react with water causing various diseases. So, before diving into the pool, take a shower, as wet skin absorbs less chlorine from the water than dry skin.
9. Sunscreen
Apply waterproof sunscreen before getting into the water as it protects you from UVA and UVB rays which is the most important reason behind tanning. Sunscreen also acts as a barrier to protect you from chlorine-treated water. And use SPF of more than 50 to get effective results. If you are swimming for long, apply sunscreen in between in a gap of 2 hours.
10. Water-Resistant Cream
Apply a thick layer of water-resistant or barrier cream at least 20 to 30 minutes prior to stepping into the water to avoid tan skin. It would be better if you apply a cream containing zinc and squalene. You can replace sunscreen with this cream.
11. Shower After Dive
After getting out of the pool, take an immediate shower to flush out all the dirt and chlorine from your skin to avoid tanning. Also, as chlorine water makes your skin dry due to dehydration, an immediate shower helps hydrate skin. A shower will also help you get rid of the chlorine smell.
12. Body Wash
Use shampoos and conditioner to wash your hair nicely. And use soaps that are not chlorine sensitive to remove chlorine from your skin after swimming while taking a bath.
13. Steam Room
If your swimming class or pool where you swim has a nearby or inbuilt steam room, do consider going there. Like a shower, steaming will help remove chlorine and dirt, protecting you from getting tanned skin by opening up the pores.
14. Moisturize Post Swimming
After taking a shower or coming out of the steam room, apply moisturizer all over your body. It will give you a calming and soothing feel and anti-inflammatory benefits. Moisturizers will also help you get rid of dry skin caused due to chlorine and forms a barrier not to cause tanning.
15. Hydrate Yourself
Drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated during and post and pre swimming sessions. Also, you need water to move your body while swimming, which helps with the proper functioning of organs and the recovery of muscles. You can replace simple water with coconut water, which will provide you with various other health benefits along with keeping you hydrated.
Also, as mentioned above, your skin turns dry in chlorine, so hydrating yourself during the sessions will also keep your skin hydrated and moisturized. Drinking water will help you remove chlorine and toxins from the body, purifying your skin.
16. Exfoliate
Exfoliation helps you remove tan, giving you glowing skin because exfoliation helps remove pigmented dead skin cells, removing dirt and dark layer from your skin. So, you can exfoliate your skin both before and after diving into the pool. You can also use natural exfoliators like tomatoes which can provide you with many other health benefits.
Bottom line
Chlorine in the presence of water and sunlight causes tanning. But, there are many ways and tricks to remove tanning caused due to chlorine water.
You must take a shower before and after diving into the swimming pool to avoid tanned skin. After taking a shower, apply a moisturizer and sunblock. And you can also apply home ingredients like coconut oil, potato, baking soda, and more. And stay hydrated the whole time as chlorine in water makes your skin dehydrated, causing tanning.
Did you find this article helpful? Tell us in the comment section below about your experience reading this article. Please do take the precautions mentioned before and after getting off the pool.
