05/14/2026
I think people underestimate how often we come into contact with chlorine. It’s not just pools — it’s showers, baths, tap water, hot tubs, cleaning products, etc. And while it helps disinfect water, it can also be pretty harsh on the body over time.
Some things people commonly notice with frequent chlorine exposure:
• dry, tight, irritated skin
• worsening eczema or dermatitis
• brittle hair and faded hair color
• scalp irritation
• red or irritated eyes
• respiratory irritation from heavily chlorinated pools/hot tubs
• that “chemical smell” lingering on the skin and hair
• increased skin sensitivity over time
One thing a lot of people don’t realize is that the strong “chlorine smell” at pools isn’t actually a sign of cleanliness — it’s often chloramines, which form when chlorine reacts with sweat, oils, urine, lotions, etc. Those compounds can be especially irritating to the eyes, lungs, and skin.
That’s part of why I like using ascorbic acid (Vitamin C). It helps neutralize chlorine on the skin and hair after exposure instead of just letting it sit there.
I’m not saying chlorine is evil or that we should all panic over tap water… unless you’re drinking it on a daily basis, then we should have a chat! But I do think our bodies tend to do better when we reduce unnecessary irritation and support the skin barrier where we can.
Sometimes wellness is less about “detoxing” and more about simply lowering the amount of stressors your body is constantly dealing with .
For the kids bath water- I just add a sprinkle of it and mix it in.
For the shower or pool- you can make a spritz with an empty water bottle, distilled water and ascorbic acid powder. Use this before and after.
Vitamin C helps neutralize chlorine, so instead of all that chlorinated water just sitting on your skin and hair continuing to dry everything out, it helps break it down first.
I’ll gladly send the link to anyone who wants it!