[header] How to protect your skin while swimming [title] Shower before you go swimming. [step] Start by rinsing your body with water in the shower. This will ensure you skin is free of perspiration, skin oils, cosmetics and other impurities which may interact with chlorine in the pool to cause irritation to your skin. 
Wetting your skin and hair can also prevent your skin from absorbing more of the chemicals or salt in the water. [substeps] If you are swimming at a pool, there are often showers on site that you can use before you get into the pool.