With so many hot days there is nothing more refreshing than a quick dip in the pool. But what is the chlorine we use to clean our pools doing to our bodies?
It’s hard to believe but the body absorbs more chlorine from swimming in a chlorinated pool than you would from drinking tap water for a week – after all the skin is the body’s largest organ. Some of the damage that traditional chlorine used in swimming pools can cause includes acne, dry, itchy skin, skin irritation and even hormone imbalance.
If you can’t find a salt-water pool to swim in here are 3 easy steps to protect you against pool chemicals.
Jump in the shower before swimming. A quick rinse with water can help saturate your skin and prevent your body from absorbing quite so many of the chemicals. Chloramine is a dangerous chemical compound formed when chlorine reacts from ammonia from sweat so rinsing off to get rid of any sweat also helps reduce its formation on the skin.
Coat yourself with Coconut Oil. Swimming in a pool filled with chemicals strips away the skins acidic layer leaving it vulnerable to harmful chemicals and pathogens. The natural emollient from coconut oil provides you with an extra layer of protection. Slather it liberally on your body and hair after you’ve rinsed off.
Neutralize chlorine. The ascorbic acid in vitamin C has been found to help neutralize both chlorine and chloramine. An easy way to reap the benefits is to make your own vitamin C spray and spray it right onto your hair and skin, rub it in and then rinse off in the shower. All you need is one teaspoon of powdered ascorbic acid dissolved into two cups of filtered water and poured into a spray bottle.
Jacqueline Banks, who grew up in Casa de Campo, is a certified holistic health counselor and busy mother.
Her focus is on helping other busy moms in all stages of motherhood keep themselves and families healthy and happy. She uses natural and organic solutions to solve individual health problems and promote clean living.
Spanish
