Chlorine in pools is a necessary evil, but it shouldn't stop you from enjoying a good swim. A pool day can be bliss: soaking up the sun, cooling off in the water and unwinding. However, the harsh chemicals in pool water can wreak havoc on your hair, leaving it dry, brittle and prone to breakage. That's where Ultra Swim chlorine removal shampoo comes in.
Shampoo: $6 at Amazon
Conditioner: $6 at Amazon
This shampoo is a cult-favorite among both professional swimmers and casual pool-goers. Even Kristen Aiken, HuffPost editorial director of life and commerce, swears by it. Why? Because it effectively tackles the two biggest chlorine-related hair concerns: moisture loss and color damage (Aiken says it keeps her hair from turning green). Plus, this secret weapon with 4.5 stars across more than 6,000 ratings on Amazon is under $7!
Within the 7-ounce bottle is a rich, moisturizing formula that gently removes chlorine, copper deposits and other pool chemicals that bind to your hair — something regular shampoos just can't do. And yes, it even eliminates that distinct chlorine smell, leaving behind a fresh and clean aroma.
Unlike regular shampoo, Ultra Swim is specifically formulated to attack chlorine buildup. Chlorine loves to bond to (and damage) hair, especially if it's color-treated, chemically-treated or extra porous, making it feel straw-like and hard to manage. Ultra Swim is specially formulated to strip away those chemicals without stripping away your hair's natural moisture. Thanks to nourishing ingredients like vitamin E and aloe, it hydrates and softens your strands while it cleanses.
Whether you're swimming every day or just on weekends, this shampoo is gentle enough for daily use — and it's safe for all hair types, including children's. It also helps protect against the dreaded green tint that comes from chlorine reacting with copper in pool water.
A little goes a long way: Just wet your hair, lather, rinse and if you want to level up your protection, there's even Ultra Swim ultra-hydrating conditioner to pair with the shampoo — leaving you with soft, shiny, chlorine-free hair that even a mermaid would envy.
Shampoo: $6 at Amazon
Conditioner: $6 at Amazon
Check out some promising reviews for Ultra Swim's affordable shampoo:
"I live in Florida and swim in a pool at least five days a week. I don't care to wear a swim cap and after the first summer it really showed. My hair became like straw. I researched this shampoo and used it as directed. I am very pleased with the way it has protected my hair from the harsh chemicals as well as the scorching sun. I would definitely recommend." — AC Moore
"I went swimming 3 weekends in a row, my hair had a green tint. After the last weekend I used this after swimming, I let it sit for 2 minutes, rinsed well and the results were immediate." — dawn
"This is our third bottle of this shampoo. Our daughter is super blonde and gets green hair every summer. Once her hair is green, I use this shampoo for the first time three times. I will do three washes of it. Then maintain a couple times a week with it. Smells nice too. I recently saw my neighbor who is white bleach blonde as well carrying a bottle of it at the pool lol. So it must be popular." — Colleen
"Excellent shampoo. I would consider using it beyond after the pool! Some people stated they didn't like the smell but I think it smells great. Leaves my hair soft and manageable. I am in the pool for exercise for 45-60 minutes at a time. I am fair and have blonde highlights. A good tip is to always wet your hair well in the shower before entering the pool so it cannot absorb much pool water. As a further precaution, I also spray my hair with It's a Ten conditioner and use a cloth bathing cap." — Hilary Backman
"Great for swimmers! I've been using this and it has saved my hair. Previously my hair was perpetually dry and frizzy. Since adding this into my post swim routine my hair has drastically improved!" — Yogagirl
"This product is a must buy for swimmers. This shampoo gets rid of chlorine smells super effectively and is easy on the hair and doesn't cause damage. My daughter swims everyday, and for a really long time she always smelled of chlorine and it was super overwhelming. When we started using this shampoo, the problem was fixed. She has less knots when brushing her hair and she doesn't smell like a pool anymore. I highly recommend this product!" — Elaine
Shampoo: $6 at Amazon
Conditioner: $6 at Amazon
The original version of this story was published on HuffPost at an earlier date.
