[Weeves]

I've always suffered from mild acne, I've tried a variety of treatments both prescipted and over-the-counter products, some have been more successful than others, but ultimately, nothing has got rid of the acne.
Until.... 3 months ago I started to swim with a mate at my local pool, trying to get fit for summer. And, within these 3 months my skin has got remarkably better!
I've been using no products on my skin apart from soap, yet the majority of the blemishes and blackheads I had are gone and my skin is ever so much more smoother and less oily.
The only thing that's changed in my life is the fact that I'm a) under the water a lot more than usual and b) the chlorine in the water.
After I thought about this, I checked out my swimmer friends skins and they were all sublime! Which makes me think that the chlorine or water has some how helped my skin?
Does anyone know anything about this?

[Classical Liberal]

(Original post by Weeves)
I've always suffered from mild acne, I've tried a variety of treatments both prescipted and over-the-counter products, some have been more successful than others, but ultimately, nothing has got rid of the acne.
Until.... 3 months ago I started to swim with a mate at my local pool, trying to get fit for summer. And, within these 3 months my skin has got remarkably better!
I've been using no products on my skin apart from soap, yet the majority of the blemishes and blackheads I had are gone and my skin is ever so much more smoother and less oily.
The only thing that's changed in my life is the fact that I'm a) under the water a lot more than usual and b) the chlorine in the water.
After I thought about this, I checked out my swimmer friends skins and they were all sublime! Which makes me think that the chlorine or water has some how helped my skin?
Does anyone know anything about this?

I have noticed this as well. I think the chemicals in the water that kill bacteria (to keep the pool clean) also go some way to kill the bacteria on your skin. I am not entirely convinced though.

The exercise is probably helping (exercise seems to help everything). And if you are eat less (because of your diet) this can also help your skin as you produce less horomones, like insulin, which can cause oily skin.

[Muesca]

I'm no dermatologist, but this is how I see it - When you swim, you sweat so your pores open up and let out all the grease/oil from the day, and as you say the antibacterial properties of the chlorine help nuke any existing bacteria, so yeah i'd say it would help with some, if not most cases of acne.

But, too much swimming can dry out your skin and cause irritation, so I'd just keep an eye out for things starting to go that way, as once your skin gets too dry you'll have to start moisturising which means you could end up with greasy skin leading back to acne again.

It's obviously working for you, so keep at it!

[SpiggyTopes]

The chlorine in the water makes your skin go dry/drier. Because acne only forms on oily skin, boom, you have no acne!

[Alix23]

Swimming twice a day as I, and many other competitive swimmers do, makes your skin really dry and sometimes red and sore, if the chlorine levels are too high. Maybe swimming helps acne, but I can't believe chlorine does.

[boba]

maybe, its for cleaning the pool so it might help clean your face. it will start to try your skin out though so your probably going to have to start moisturising soon

[Jessticles]

It strips your skin, basically, as far as I know. so it strips it of ANY oil. Be careful though, it's not good for your skin. Obviously, a lot of people go swimming regularly and have no problems, but I'd suggest trying a light, oil-free moisturiser - a noncomedogenic one so it doesn't block your pores. And make sure you drink a ton of water so your skin is being moisturised from the inside out.

[MancStudent098]

Chlorine would kill bacteria and strip away your skin's natural oil. Those are the two ingredients for acne so I can see how it would work. On the other hand it does completely hammer skin so it's probably not advisable as a beauty routine, if it's a side effect of swimming you'd do anyway then that's great.

[Weeves]

Cheers for all the advice guys, so very much appreciated! I've gone out and bought some oil free moisturiser just incase my skin does turn dry as I'm planning to be swimming every other day over the holidays! Thanks once again


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