The best skin care products for swimmers, according to experts

Scorching temperatures in combination with chlorine buildup and ocean water can mean that your skin is probably feeling dry and irritated.

For Anita Alvarez, a two-time Olympian and artistic swimmer based in Los Angeles, swimming definitely comes with skin consequences. “As an artistic swimmer who’s also a member of the U.S. Olympic team and trains in Southern California, we spend over 40 hours a week in chlorine and outdoors under the sun,” she says. “Because of this, some frustrating things we experience on a daily basis are dry, irritated skin.”

Experts, including Dr. Mary Alice Mina, a board-certified dermatologist based in Atlanta, say that it’s important to take care of your skin pre- and post-swimming, as swimming pools contain high concentrations of chlorine that can strip the skin of its natural oils, leaving it dry and damaged. “The sun and heat can also exacerbate this,” says Mina .

We spoke to board-certified dermatologists and an Olympian about the best swimmer-friendly skin care products and what to look for when shopping. We also put together a list of what to shop based on their recommendations and guidance.

SKIP AHEAD The best skin care products for swimmers in 2024 | How to shop for skin care products for swimmers

How I picked the best skin care products for swimmers

Here’s what the experts recommended I keep in mind when building this list:

• Ingredients: When swimming in chlorine or salt water, it’s important to use products that have moisturizing ingredients. A proper skin care routine will have ingredients that “reinforce the skin barrier, protect the skin and provide nourishment and hydration that help it repair itself should it get irritated,” says Dr. Jody Levine, a board-certified dermatologist and the director of dermatology at Plastic Surgery and Dermatology of NYC. You’ll also want to avoid retinoids and strong exfoliants such as AHAs and BHAs before and after swimming, as these can dry out the skin and irritate it. 
• Product type and usage: Rather than relying on one specific product to replenish your skin, you should also ensure you have a well-rounded skin care routine that targets dryness, irritation and redness with each step. This includes a swimmer-friendly cleanser, moisturizer, eye cream and sunscreen. You can use some products after swimming (like cleanser) while some are best-used before or during swimming, like sunscreen.

The best skin care products for swimmers in 2024

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Facial Cleanser

What we like

• Noncomedogenic and oil-free
• Comes in various sizes
• Has a milky texture

This hydrating cleanser is a favorite of Levine’s because it has a creamy texture and doesn’t have fragrance or pore-clogging oils, so it’s great for those with sensitive and oily skin types. The formula has ceramides, niacinamide and glycerin to cleanse the skin without stripping it of its natural oils, says Levine. It also helps restore the skin barrier, according to the brand.

Best for: all skin types | Usage: after swimming

Biodance Bio-Collagen Real Deep Mask

What we like

• Has a cooling feeling
• Can wear overnight
• Helps reduce look of pores

If you’re looking to restore moisture post-swimming or while traveling, this overnight hydrogel mask is a good option. “Every time we travel I put [this] on for several hours or the whole flight to keep my skin hydrated on the plane,” says Alvarez. It’s made with three different probiotics along with hyaluronic acid and collagen to hydrate and improve skin elasticity, according to the brand. Hydrogel masks, in general, have a cooling feeling upon application, which can feel restorative after a swim session. 

The mask comes in two sheets — one for the top half of your face and one for the bottom — and is best for long time periods. The brand recommends wearing them either overnight or for at least three to four hours to give it time to turn from white to transparent.

Best for: dry skin | Usage: after swimming

Cerave Deep Hydration Moisturizing Cream

What we like

• Has NEA Seal of Acceptance
• Can use on face and body
• Comes in various sizes

Something to note

• May be too thick for oily skin

Levine is a fan of this moisturizing cream because it locks in moisture after swimming. “It’s formulated gently enough for sensitive skin, and has ceramides and hyaluronic acid to keep the skin hydrated,” she says. You can use it on both the face and body, which makes packing efficient if you plan on traveling with it. It also has the National Eczema Association (NEA) Seal of Acceptance, making it safe for those with an inflammatory skin condition like eczema.

I’ve used this cream several times on my dry arms and legs and love its thick, whipped texture because it instantly alleviates dryness and itchiness on my skin. I also appreciate that it’s fragrance-free, since this can increase the risk of irritation.

Best for: normal to dry skin | Usage: after swimming

Dermasport Renew Eye Cream

What we like

• Easy pump, clean application
• Eliminates goggle marks
• Can purchase a subscription

Something to note

• May not be hydrating enough

Alvarez recommends this eye cream from swimming skin care brand Dermasport, saying that it feels great after a long day in the pool wearing goggles. “I personally struggle with goggles squeezing around my eyes all day and going home having puffy, irritated under-eyes,” she says. “This [eye cream] is great for alleviating goggle marks, firming skin around my eyes and eliminating dark circles.” Plus, the pump applicator makes it easy to apply poolside without having to dip your fingers into a tub.

Best for: dark circles | Usage: after swimming

Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion

What we like

• Doesn’t feel greasy
• Absorbs quickly into skin
• Free of fragrance

Something to note

• Formula’s too thick for pump

This body lotion from Aveeno is Alvarez’ go-to for moisturizing dry skin that’s been exposed to chlorine all day. “With the number of hours in the sun and chlorine, there are many days [I] come home from the pool wondering if [I] have a sunburn or chlorine burn because [my] skin can be red, irritated and inflamed,” she says. This lotion, however, has prebiotic oat to calm inflammation, dryness and acne, and also hydrates the skin, according to Aveeno.

In my experience, I find this body lotion to absorb quickly without feeling greasy, making it suitable for all skin types.

Best for: all skin types | Usage: after swimming

Sonage NMF Hyaluronic Acid Serum

What we like

• Calms redness and inflammation
• Pocket size easy to carry
• Good for all skin types

This lightweight serum from Sonage prevents transepidermal water loss thanks to a humectant, hyaluronic acid. It also soothes post-swimming redness with green tea and sage extract, and calms any chlorine- or sea salt-caused irritation via cucumber extract, according to the brand. The water-gel consistency makes it great for all skin types, including dry, combination and oily.

Best for: all skin types | Usage: after swimming

Skinbetter Science Sunbetter Sheer SPF 56 Sunscreen Stick

What we like

• Easy to apply and reapply
• Mattifies skin
• Goes on sheer

Something to note

• May not work for very dry skin

Whether you’re swimming at a pool or in the sea, keeping your skin protected with sunscreen is a must. This SPF stick is convenient for quick application and re-application, and goes on sheer despite being 100% mineral, according to the brand. It also has a smoothing, mattifying effect on the skin, so it’s great for eliminating excess shine if you tend to be oily.

Best for: oily skin | Usage: before swimming

Sundays Hydrating Cuticle Serum

What we like

• Easy to control drop dispenser

To heal chlorine-damaged cuticles and pave the way for healthier, more hydrated nails, this cuticle serum is a good option. I’ve used it several times and like how nongreasy it is — it feels like more of a serum than a cuticle oil. It hydrates the nail area with soybean oil, jojoba esters and a blend of vitamins A, C and E, and also has a light, woody scent that’s not too overpowering. To apply, I drop a small amount onto my fingertips and disperse the serum equally across all fingers.

Best for: dry cuticles | Usage: after swimming

How to shop for skin care products for swimmers

When shopping, our experts recommend looking at several factors, including a product’s key ingredients and the type of moisturizer it has. Below, we highlight their suggestions of things to consider.

• Ingredients: When treating dry, inflamed skin, look for products that’ll restore the skin barrier, which is the outermost layer of skin that serves as your skin’s first line of defense. “A dry or damaged skin barrier can lead to rashes, irritation, dryness and flakiness,” says Mina. “Chlorine can strip the skin barrier of its natural oils and leave the skin barrier dry and compromised.” Some barrier-replenishing ingredients to look for are ceramides, hyaluronic acid, squalane and niacinamide. If you’re swimming outdoors, look for products with antioxidants like green tea, vitamin C and vitamin E to help protect your skin from free radicals in the environment, says Levine. For skin that’s feeling red, irritated or itchy, opt for soothing ingredients like aloe vera and cucumber extract.
• Type of moisturizer: Moisturizing the skin before and after swimming is crucial for ensuring it stays looking and feeling healthy. There are three types of moisturizers to look for — humectants, emollients and occlusives — and the one you choose will depend on your specific skin needs. “Humectants help pull moisture into the skin, occlusive moisturizers form a protective barrier on the skin surface and emollients help replenish the skin barrier,” says Mina. Some can fall into more than one category, and Mina recommends using a combination of all of these after swimming depending on how dry your skin is. “Post-swimming, I recommend washing your body well and then applying an emollient that contains a humectant such as hyaluronic acid,” she says. “If extra hydration is needed, look for a more occlusive product to apply as a final step.”

Meet our experts

At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest. 

• Anita Alvarez is a two-time Olympian and artistic swimmer based in Los Angeles.
• Dr. Jody Levine is a board-certified dermatologist and the director of dermatology at Plastic Surgery and Dermatology of NYC.
• Dr. Mary Alice Mina is a board-certified dermatologist based in Atlanta.

Why trust NBC Select?

I have more than 10 years of experience covering beauty and skin care topics. For this story, I spoke with two board-certified dermatologists and an Olympic swimmer and included their direct recommendations and products based on their guidance.