Swimming pools have become a symbol of a healthy lifestyle: training, relaxation, a mental reset. But there’s one detail that can spoil the whole experience - the lingering chlorine smell that stays on your skin, hair, and swimwear long after you’ve left the water.

What many people don’t realize is that this issue isn’t limited to pools. A similar effect can be caused by everyday showers, especially if you live in an area with hard water.

As a pioneer of the Before & After Swim Care category, TRISWIM explains why chlorine neutralization is about much more than scent - and how a few simple habits can noticeably improve skin comfort after water exposure.

Chloramines: the invisible source of the “pool smell”

That classic “pool smell” isn’t actually a sign of cleanliness. It comes from chloramines - compounds formed when chlorine reacts with sweat, sebum, and traces of skincare products on the skin.

Most importantly, chloramines don’t disappear the moment you step out of the pool. They can continue to cling to the skin, hair, and swimwear. In hard water conditions, the same kind of residue may also build up during a normal at-home shower.

“The smell of chlorine is a sign that reaction by-products remain on the skin.
If they aren’t removed, they can intensify dryness, discomfort, and tightness - especially with frequent swimming or exposure to hard water,”

Did you know? In hard water, minerals like calcium and magnesium react with soap to form a residue known as soap scum. This makes it harder to rinse properly, leaving behind mineral deposits - and allowing chlorine and its by-products to stay on the skin longer, similar to what happens after swimming.

How does chlorine residue show up on skin and hair?

Residual chloramines and hard-water minerals can lead to noticeable discomfort, especially with regular exposure:

• dry, tight-feeling skin after showering or swimming

• dull, rough hair that’s hard to detangle

• a persistent “pool smell” on skin, hair, and clothing

• irritation or discomfort around the neck, shoulders, and skin folds

Growing awareness of the impact of chlorinated and hard water has shaped the Before & After Swim Care category - a space where TRISWIM has been a long-time pioneer. Its formulas combine neutralizing ingredients with mineral-rich support to help maintain skin and hair comfort after every water contact.

The good news? Your routine doesn’t need to be complicated. Just three simple steps can help reduce the impact of pool water and hard water and support everyday skin comfort - even with frequent swimming.

TRISWIM Expert Tips: The 3-Step Routine

STEP 1: Prep your skin before getting into the water

A quick rinse before swimming is one of the easiest (and most overlooked) habits. It removes sweat, oils, and leftover products that can react with chlorine and create irritating chloramines.

Clean, lightly hydrated skin absorbs less pool water, offering better protection from the first minutes in the water.

STEP 2: Cleanse and neutralize chlorine after swimming

After leaving the pool, it’s essential not only to wash - but to truly remove and neutralize chlorine and its by-products.

This is where After-Swim Care formulas make a real difference: they help eliminate chlorine residue from skin and hair instead of simply masking the smell. That step can significantly improve comfort, reduce dryness, and minimize that tight, post-swim feeling.

STEP 3: Rehydrate and support recovery

After drying off, follow with a body lotion that helps rebuild the skin barrier and support recovery after contact with chlorinated or hard water.

Soothing ingredients and minerals - such as magnesium - can help calm stressed skin and restore balance, especially for those who swim regularly.

In summary

Chlorine exposure doesn’t end when you leave the water - its by-products can stay on the skin and hair long after swimming or showering, contributing to dryness, discomfort, and that familiar “pool smell.” Understanding the difference between simply masking odor and truly neutralizing chlorine is key to maintaining skin and hair comfort over time.

By adopting a simple Before & After Swim Care routine - preparing the skin before water contact, properly cleansing and neutralizing chlorine afterward, and restoring moisture - swimmers can significantly reduce the impact of chlorinated and hard water on their skin and hair.

With its expertise and targeted formulas, TRISWIM supports a more comfortable, balanced post-swim experience - helping skin and hair feel clean, refreshed, and resilient, swim after swim.