While swimming is one of the best sports for the body, mind, and soul, it can wreak havoc on your hair, particularly if you are swimming in a chlorinated swimming pool. Whether competitive or recreational, swimming is a fantastic all-body workout that is low-impact, burns calories, and leaves you feeling amazing.
However, even a quick dip can leave your hair feeling brittle and dry. According to hair professionals, chlorine can strip the hair of its natural oils. It attacks the layer of lipids on the surface of the hair and causes the cuticle to lift, resulting in dull, porous hair that is more susceptible to dryness, color fading, and breakage.
Even a quick dip can leave your hair feeling brittle and dry.
Chlorine not only affects the elasticity and strength of your hair – it can also cause it to change color. Chlorine interacts differently with hair color, depending on your shade. After coming into contact with chlorine, over time, brown hair tends to fade, leaving an underlying orange pigment. Blonde hair tends to absorb the minerals and chemicals in the chlorine and can end up with a greenish tinge.
Don’t despair – there are ways to avoid your hair turning a different shade after swimming. Wetting your hair with water before your swim will help it absorb less chlorine. However, washing your hair with a good hydrating, chlorine removal shampoo after your swim is the best way to manage the damage done to your hair by the chlorine.
Using a chlorine removal shampoo will save your hair from the damaging effects of chlorine.
How Do You Protect Your Hair While Swimming?
The best way to protect your hair while swimming is to wear a swim cap. Swim caps are made from latex, silicone, or nylon and prevent your hair from being drenched in chlorine water while you swim. They also keep your hair out of your face while you are swimming and prevent your hair from ending up in the pool, which can clog the filter system and look unsightly.
Washing your hair with a swimmer’s shampoo for chlorine removal is another great way to protect your hair from the damage caused by chlorinated water. I have tried and tested several hydrating, chlorine removal shampoos and have compiled a list of the best ones on the market.
Happy swimming!
The best way to protect your hair while swimming is to wear a swim cap.
UltraSwim Dynamic Duo Repair Shampoo and Conditioner – Best Overall
UltraSwim Dynamic Duo Repair Shampoo and Conditioner is a long-standing product that has been on the market for years and is one of the best. This ultra-chlorine removal shampoo works wonders on removing both the chlorine and copper deposits from your hair and is packed with vitamin E and aloe vera to keep your hair moisturized, healthy, and soft after your swim.
It also treats dry, damaged hair, prevents split ends, and removes the chlorine smell from your hair. You can use it on colored and permed hair. It comes in a convenient shampoo-conditioner pack with seven-ounce bottles, is inexpensive, and light to carry in your swim bag.
Pros
- Removes chlorine and copper deposits
- Moisturizes and treats dry hair
- Removes chlorine smell from your hair
- Prevents split ends
- Can be used on colored and permed hair
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Shampoo must be used together with a conditioner for best results
- Must be used after every swim
No products found.
Newton Bay Swimmer’s Shampoo – Best for Fragrance
Created by a team of professional chemists particularly for swimmers, Newton Bay Swimmer’s Shampoo is an excellent product for maintaining healthy hair after swimming. The eco-friendly shampoo and conditioner have a lovely peppermint fragrance, removing the chlorine smell from your hair.
It revitalizes your hair after a session in the chlorine and helps to prevent split ends and breakages. It also works wonders on blonde hair that tends to take on a green tinge and together with Newton Bay Swimmer’s Conditioner keeps your hair moisturized and soft.
Pros
- Environmentally-friendly
- Lovely peppermint fragrance
- Prevents split ends
- Works for color-treated hair
Cons
- Contains a chemical known as sodium laureth sulfate (SLS)
No products found.
ExerShield After-Swim 2-In-1 Body Wash & Shampoo – Best for Multipurpose Use
ExerShield After-Swim 2-In-1 Body Wash & Shampoo is a multi-purpose, sulfate-free chlorine-removing shampoo that is both gentle on your skin and hair and can be used as a body wash and shampoo. Made from natural ingredients and non-synthetic oils, the body wash-shampoo prevents the drying and damaging effects of chlorine on your hair.
Pros
- Multipurpose – can be used as a body wash and shampoo
- Preservative and sulfate-free
- Replenishes hair nutrients and prevents chlorine damage
Cons
- Fragrance-free
- Doesn’t foam when using
No products found.
TRISWIM Chlorine Removal Swimmers Shampoo – Best for Green-Prone Blondes
TRISWIM Chlorine Removal Swimmers Shampoo is a fantastic way to save your hair from the damaging effects of chlorine, particularly color changes. The shampoo neutralizes and removes chemicals such as bromine, chlorine, hard water minerals, saltwater, and chemical odors from your hair.
It contains extracts of natural herbs like chamomile, aloe vera, and watercress which help to prevent and manage dandruff, and flaky and itchy scalp caused by chlorine. Aloe vera extracts, vitamin A, and vitamin B5 help to keep your hair moisturized and soft, and gives life back to brittle, lifeless, and dry hair. It has a pleasant lime and mango fragrance and is paraben-free, gluten-free, and cruelty-free.
Pros
- Contains extracts of natural herbs which moisturize your hair
- Neutralizes and removes harmful chemicals
- Pleasant fragrance
- Prevents and treats dandruff and flaky scalp
- Gluten-free, paraben-free, cruelty-free
Cons
- Expensive
No products found.
Malibu C Swimmer Wellness Shampoo – Best for Daily Swimmers
Malibu C Swimmer Wellness Shampoo is the best product if you swim in chlorinated water every day. This sulfate-free shampoo is completely vegan, free of all harsh ingredients, and contains nourishing agents, like pro-vitamin B5 and flax and rice protein.
This ultra-mild shampoo contains allantoin, which helps prevent scalp inflammation and irritation, and flax protein which hydrates and nurtures your hair. Rice protein in the shampoo helps to keep your hair glossy and shiny, and vitamin B5 helps fight the damaging effects of impurities on your hair.
Malibu C Swimmer Wellness Shampoo can also be used as a body wash, and it has a lovely fragrance of orange sorbet blended with coconut. It’s a great all-in-one product for your swimming bag.
Pros
- Sulfate-free and vegan
- Contains allantoin to prevent scalp inflammation and irritation
- Nourishing agents such as vitamin B5, flax, and rice protein
- Can be used as a body wash and shampoo
- Pleasant fragrance
Cons
- Not suitable for permed or color-treated
- Expensive
No products found.
Solpri Swimmers Chlorine Swim Shampoo and Body Wash with Vitamin C – Best for Hydration
Solpri Swimmers Chlorine Swim Shampoo and Body Wash with Vitamin C is packed with vitamin C that helps hydrate and moisturizes your hair after swimming. This key ingredient removes bromine, chlorine, and salt from your hair, and protects your scalp and skin from itching. Vitamin C also protects your skin from any fungal or bacterial infections, making this a fantastic all-in-one body-cum-shampoo product.
This swimmer’s shampoo for chlorine removal contains 12 amino acids that have a hydrating and soothing effect on your scalp and prevents your hair from becoming brittle. It removes chlorine from your hair after one wash and moisturizes with aloe vera, vitamin E, and MSM.
It can be used on color and permed hair, sensitive skin. The best results are achieved when the shampoo and conditioner are used as part of a three-stage chlorine removal and revitalization program that includes a vitamin C-based swim lotion.
Pros
- All-in-one multipurpose shampoo and body wash
- Excellent hydration and moisturizing effects
- Prevents irritation and itchy scalp
- Boosts collagen and prevents fungal and bacterial skin infections
- Gluten-free / Sulfate-free / Paraben-free
- Suitable for sensitive skin
Cons
- Fragrance-free
No products found.
Zealios Swim & Sport Shampoo – Best for Sea Swimming
Zealios Swim & Sport Shampoo is a mild, daily-use shampoo that can be used every day. Formulated with top-quality ingredients, this shampoo removes chlorine as well as salt, making it a great product for both pool and sea swimmers.
It contains key ingredients such as vitamin B that revitalizes dry and brittle hair, prevents split ends and breakages, and aloe vera that soothes and hydrates the scalp. The shampoo is a good choice if you suffer from dandruff or an itchy scalp. Jojoba oil detangles knots.
This sulfate-free shampoo is great for treating green hair caused by chlorine and protects hair from the damaging effects of salt, sun, and wind. It has a light, citrus fragrance which helps to remove the chlorine smell from your hair after a pool swim. It is vegan, gluten-free, and cruelty-free, and is safe to use every day.
Pros
- Can be used daily
- Removes chlorine and salt
- Protects from sun damage
- Vitamin B revitalizes dry and brittle hair
- Prevents split ends and breakages
- Jojoba oil detangles knots.
- Light, citrus fragrance removes the chlorine smell
- Gluten-free / Sulfate-free / Paraben-free
Cons
- May dry out certain types of hair
No products found.
Ion Swimmer’s Shampoo – Best Organic, Plant-Based Option
Ion Swimmer’s Shampoo is a mild, plant-based, organic shampoo that wonders on your hair to remove chlorine and restore gloss, shine, and volume to your hair. It doesn’t contain any sulfates and it’s a fantastic option for preventing and removing green tones from blonde hair.
To get the best results from this 100% vegan and chlorine removal shampoo, you should use it as soon as you get out of the water. Rub some shampoo into your wet hair and leave it on for a few minutes before rinsing your hair out thoroughly. It will leave your hair silky and smooth, and chlorine-free.
Pros
- 100% vegan, plant-based and organic
- Restores gloss and shine to dull, brittle hair
- Sulphate-free
Cons
- Expensive
No products found.
CurlFriends Purify Clarifying Shampoo – Best for Curly Hair
CurlFriends Purify Clarifying Shampoo is the swimmer’s shampoo for chlorine removal for curly hair. The gentle formula can be used on naturally curly and permed hair, as well as color-treated hair, and will leave your hair feeling smooth and soft.
This salon-quality clarifying shampoo is designed to detoxify your hair by removing harsh chemicals such as chlorine, saline saltwater, mineral deposits, and an undesirable build-up of residue. You only have to use this shampoo once a week to boost the health of your hair and rejuvenate dull, dry, brittle frizz.
Pros
- Smoothes frizzy hair and rejuvenates curls
- Can be used on naturally curly and permed hair
- Detoxifies hair by removing harsh chemicals
- Fresh citrus scent
Cons
- Contains sulphates
No products found.
Truss Miracle Summer Shampoo – Best for Sun Protection
Truss Miracle Summer Shampoo is the best shampoo for protecting your hair from the sun and saltwater, as well as removing chlorine from your hair. The shampoo has a pH-balanced formula that contains UV filters that also protect your hair color from fading when swimming in chlorinated swimming pools, lakes, and the ocean.
This shampoo has a gentle, mild formula that can be used on all types of hair and restores balance and moisture to your hair to keep it healthy, shiny, and manageable. It is sodium-chloride-free so can be used on keratin-treated hair and is gentle enough to be used every day. Truss Miracle Summer Shampoo has a refreshing menthol fragrance that leaves your hair smelling great.
Pros
- The unique pH-balanced formula protects hair from sun damage
- Sodium chloride-free and safe for color- and keratin-treated hair
- Suitable for all hair types
- Refreshing menthol fragrance
Cons
- Expensive
No products found.
Aubrey Swimmers Shampoo – Best for Removing Chlorine Build-Up
Aubrey Swimmers Shampoo is a gentle, 75% natural, and vegan shampoo that not only chlorine but also other mineral build-ups without damaging your hair. This is a great shampoo for saving your color, especially on blonde or gray hair, and essential nutrients like organic jojoba oil and quinoa protein restores moisture.
Pros
- All-natural ingredients
- Suitable for blond and gray hair
- Organic jojoba oil restores moisture
- Pleasant apricot and almond scent
Cons
- Does not lather very well
- Best results with the use of the conditioner
No products found.
Mia Russell is currently the head swim coach at Aquasharks Swimming Academy in South Africa. She has worked as the head swim guide at SwimQuest Open Water Swimming Holidays in London and was previously a Swim Coach at Cybersmart Aquatics. She has a AIDA International Level 3 Freediving Certification, PADI Open Water Advanced Certificate, SSI Level 1 Free Diver Certificate and RYA Beach Lifeguard Certificate.