The body skincare routine for swimmers with acne-prone skin

As the body skin experts™️, we aim to answer all sorts of questions, especially the more obscure or misunderstood rules of maintenance.

Case in point: An email from Laura, 30, a Soft Services customer and frequent swimmer at her local saltwater pool. She asked: "I swim a lot at the unheated, outdoor, saltwater pool near my house. I usually feel super clean and refreshed right after a swim, and make sure to shower before and right after. I use Comfort Cleanse in the shower, then follow up with Smoothing Solution on my elbows, knees, and my back. I don't use lotion until bed, since my skin doesn't feel particularly tight or dry afterwards. But is there more I should be doing to care for my skin pre and post-pool time?"

Great question, Laura. !

Swimming, while great for your overall health, can pose unique challenges for acne-prone skin. As celebrity esthetician Sofie Pavitt notes, "If clients are swimming a lot, it can exacerbate acne, or general inflammation around the skin, and it can cause a lot of dryness."

Chlorine strips skin of its natural oils, which in turn sends the oil glands into oil producing overdrive. Salt water is better than pool water, yes, but it’s still drying. And chances are, if you’re swimming in the sea, it’s quite hot outside. That saltwater and the excessive heat and sun exposure can really dry out the skin…which can still lead to irritation.

We turn to Sofie Pavitt, to chat about her thoughts on the matter. Let's dive into her expert advice and break down a skincare routine that'll keep your skin happy while you make a splash.

Pre-Swim: Prep with a protective barrier

For acne-prone skin, prevention is key. Here's how to shield your skin from irritants that could trigger breakouts:

1. Sunscreen first: Apply SPF and give it about ten minutes to sink in. This protects your skin from UV rays, which can worsen acne and cause inflammation.

2. Vaseline shield: Here's an exclusive tip - apply a thin layer of Vaseline over your sunscreen. "Vaseline is non-comedogenic so it won't clog your pores," Pavitt assures us. This creates a barrier between your skin and pool chemicals, preventing irritation that could lead to breakouts.

This occludes the skin so that the water doesn’t exacerbate the irritation.

Post-Swim: Rinse and Replenish

After your swim, it's crucial to remove irritants and restore your skin's balance to prevent acne flare-ups:

1. Shower ASAP: Head straight for the shower to rinse off those chemicals, pronto. This prevents prolonged exposure to chlorine and other irritants that could dry out your skin and potentially trigger breakouts.

2. Hydration sandwich: Proper hydration is key for acne-prone skin, as it helps prevent your skin from overproducing oil. Pavitt recommends a double layer approach:

- Start with Speed Soak, which contains moisturizing glycerin. This helps draw water into the skin without clogging pores. We also recommend storing Speed Soak in the fridge as another method to soothe skin, especially after being out in the heat for too long…it’s so cooling and refreshing.

- Follow up with Carea Cream, packed with colloidal oatmeal, squalane, and urea for deep hydration. These ingredients soothe and moisturize without triggering acne.

Bonus tip: Pavitt suggests munching on watermelons and tomatoes. They are rich in lycopene, so they offer a level of internal sun protection and are rich in antioxidants, which can help fight inflammation and support overall skin health.