Skincare for swimmers
Protect your skin from the harsh effects of chlorine, salt water and windburn with these innovative products
TRIHARD After-Swim Body Wash
£18.40
This After-Swim Body Wash relies on gentle exfoliating kernels and a rich, creamy lather to leave the skin feeling deeply cleansed and refreshed, while its zingy fragrance is formulated to neutralise and completely wash away stubborn, lingering chlorine or saltwater odours. Thanks to a hydrating blend of aloe vera, argan oil and vitamin E, the formula ensures that weather-beaten skin feels soft, thoroughly moisturised, and nourished long after leaving the water.
UPCIRCLE Eye Cream with Hyaluronic Acid + Coffee and Soothing Eye Roller
£23.99 + £9.99
This targeted skincare duo is designed to intensely hydrate, de-puff, and brighten the delicate skin around the eyes. The cream features antioxidant-rich coffee grounds repurposed from London cafes alongside anti-inflammatory maple bark extract. Perfect for a post-swim kit bag, the cooling eye roller feels so good after tight goggle pressure and noticeably reduces swelling and goggle marks. At the same time, the infused hyaluronic acid locks in deep moisture to combat salt or chlorine dryness.
GREEN PEOPLE Hydrating After Sun
£24
Swimming regularly in open water or chlorinated pools strips the skin barrier, leaving it tight and parched. This organic, plant-powered after-sun lotion replaces that lost water deep within the skin layers without blocking pores. The infused peppermint oil provides instant cooling relief to wind-chapped skin, leaving a fresh, minty scent. Plus, it is completely biodegradable and Marine Conservation Society approved, meaning it won’t release toxic chemicals or harm delicate marine life.
LIFEJACKET Face Cleansing Bar
£7
This compact cleansing bar is specifically engineered to remove waterproof sunscreens, chlorine, and river grime without stripping the skin’s natural moisture barrier. Simply lather up after your swim, leave it on for 30 seconds to allow the salicylic acid to break down the grime, and rinse thoroughly. Unlike traditional soap, it will not dry out your skin, and it features a completely neutral, fragrance-free profile.
LIFEJACKET Daily Repair Moisturiser
£16
Swimming outdoors subjects it to harsh winds, strips the skin of natural oils, and exposes it to intense water-glare. This highly hydrating, lightweight recovery gel works to deeply moisturise and restore the skin barrier. Applying it immediately after a dip or once you get home provides an instant cooling sensation, soothing skin that has been blasted by the wind, chlorine or salt. The formula is completely non-sticky and absorbs quickly into the skin.
NEVE’S BEES Face Balm for Men
£28
The beeswax and shea butter in this water-free balm lock in moisture and shield against chlorine and salt. Massaging a tiny amount onto damp skin before you swim forms a water-resistant barrier that seals out pool chemicals and prevents salt water from stripping your skin’s natural oils.
NEVE’S BEES Lemon & Lime Lip Balm
£6.95
Free from petroleum and chemical emulsifiers, this beeswax salve blends organic apricot kernel oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil, and cocoa butter to moisturise and protect dry lips with a subtle, zesty scent. The best part for swimmers? Unlike petroleum jelly that sits on top of the skin, beeswax absorbs while creating a water-resistant top layer so it won’t wash off when you dive in.
SAE SEAWEED Body Cream
£42
We were excited to see Jade and Dan, founders of the seaweed spa overlooking Studland Bay, launching a range of skincare. This nourishing body cream is tailored for skin that’s frequently exposed to the elements. It uses native British brown seaweeds, like bladderwrack, which are packed with vitamins, iodine, magnesium and potassium. This nutrient-dense blend feeds and re-energises skin cells exhausted by cold-water exposure.
SAE SEAWEED Wild Seaweed Face Oil
£58
Made with wild-harvested seaweed from Dorset’s Studland Bay, this nutrient-dense face oil blends marine extracts with grape seed, jojoba, argan, pumpkin seed and rosehip oils to deeply hydrate without a greasy residue. Apply before a cold-water swim to create a breathable moisture seal. By mimicking your skin’s natural sebum, it forms a protective barrier that shields your face from drying sea salt, chlorine and lake grime.
UPCIRCLE Cleansing Face Balm
£21.99
Applying a thin layer of this rich balm to the cheekbones and nose before entering the water allows the heavy oat oil and sea buckthorn base to act as a protective shield, blocking freezing water and wind from stripping the skin. It also functions perfectly as a makeup and general grime remover at the end of the day. The oil-rich formula effortlessly dissolves even stubborn, water-resistant zinc or sport sunscreens that traditional foaming cleansers leave behind.
WIDEYE Skin Fuel Face Cream
£22.95
Explicitly created for mature skin regularly exposed to the elements, this deeply restorative moisturiser combines marine collagen to restore elasticity, neroli oil to soften rough patches, and organic botanicals to feed skin cells damaged by outdoor exposure. The non-greasy formula absorbs beautifully into the skin. Plus, with zero harsh synthetic parabens or chemical pollutants, it keeps our wild waterways clean, too!
WIDEYE Skin Fuel Face Wash
£10.95
Handmade in Rye, this nutrient-rich cleanser washes away sweat, sunscreen and daily grime without stripping the skin’s natural moisture barrier. It’s ideal for tight, post-swim skin. While foaming face washes use sulfates that strip away protective oils, this wash relies on a gentle, coconut-derived cleansing system that lifts away water residue while leaving your natural oils intact.
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All products were chosen independently by our editorial team. This review contains affiliate links and we may receive a commission for purchases made. Click here to subscribe to the magazine. Read more Outdoor Swimmer gear reviews.
Jo Tinsley
Jo is the Gear Editor for Outdoor Swimmer and also writes news and features for the website. A keen open water swimmer and long-distance walker, she loves seeking out lakes and lidos close to her home in the Mendip Hills, Somerset. She is the author of The Slow Traveller, editor and founder of independent magazine, Ernest, and has previously tested outdoor clothing and kit for BBC Countryfile Magazine, BBC Focus and Ernest Journal.
