When it comes to hitting the pool, we all get very excited. After all, the very touch of water, the way our bodies feel while immersed in it, it all feels super soothing. Water is another world and not all get familiar with it. Most of us get to be in it inside the swimming pools. But when it comes to pools, it comes to chlorine as well. And as comes chlorine, there come dryness and skin issues. To tackle it, we usually get two options – sunscreen and petroleum jelly. But which one is better for the pool – sunscreen or petroleum jelly? Let’s take a closer look.
Petroleum jelly for pools
Chances are, you surely must’ve heard of petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline) in your lifetime. It is a thick and oily substance that is often used to moisturize dry skin. What it does is it creates a barrier on the skin that helps to prevent water loss and retain moisture. Some people have found that applying petroleum jelly before going into the pool can help to protect their skin from the harsh chemicals in the water.
When people suffer from dryness, they think of moisturizers as well. But petroleum jelly is not the only moisturizer that is out there in the market. We’ll discuss other moisturizers as well.
Sunscreen for pools
First thing first – if you swim in an open pool or sea (which is salted as well), there is no choice but sunscreen alone. The harmful rays of that scorching sun can easily damage your skin in no time. So, put a liberal amount of sunscreen before you run and dive in. Most sunscreens contain active ingredients such as titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, which create a barrier on the skin to reflect and absorb UV rays. This helps to prevent sunburn, skin aging, and even skin cancer.
Now, when it comes to indoor pools, the equation changes as there is no such thing as the sun. What do you do now?
Petroleum jelly or sunscreen – which one is better?
If you’re not concerned about sun protection or vitamin D and are only looking for a product that provides a better layer to protect your skin from the harsh pool chemicals, then petroleum jelly may be a better option for you. The reason? It is because petroleum jelly forms a thicker and more water-resistant layer on the skin compared to sunscreen. Sunscreens can easily be washed off in the water. Many people thus go for an expensive option, which is water-resistant sunscreens.
However, it’s important to note that petroleum jelly is not a substitute for sunscreen when it comes to sun protection. It’s always recommended to wear sunscreen when you’re outside in open water, and that too water-resistant sunscreen. You may buy them from any alternative to eBay that sell health and beauty products at a lower price.
Now, as we all know that because chlorine strips our skin of its natural oils, we need to moisturize it. But, there is a kick, and the kick lies in the type of moisturizer.
There are mainly three types of moisturizers in the market:
- Occlusives
- Humectants
- Emollients
All these three moisturizers work in different ways on the skin. When we enter the pool, our first priority remains to protect our skin from contacting the chlorinated water. This can only be done by applying a layer of fat or lipid. This is why you might also have heard from many that you must apply oil. And You might have observed how oil doesn’t let water pass through it.
Petroleum jelly is an emollient and thus provides a protective layer of fat. This stops the water from entering your skin. And the benefit? You save yourself from chlorine.
So, the next time you enter an indoor pool, remember to apply a protective layer on your skin and prevent yourself from that annoying dryness.