Beyond the Clean: How Chlorine and Antibacterial Washes Impact Eczema
- Aer Elysia
- May 11
- 3 min read
TL;DR
Chlorine & Antibacterial Washes: Impact on Eczema
Managing eczema can feel tricky, especially when you think about pool water, tap water, and body washes. Here’s the simple truth about how chlorine and antibacterial washes can affect your eczema.
Chlorine in Pools: Helpful… or Harmful?
Why it might help: Pools use chlorine to kill germs. Some people with eczema say a swim feels calming, almost like a weak bleach bath that doctors sometimes recommend. Chlorine can lower levels of Staph bacteria on your skin, which often worsens eczema.
Why it might hurt: Chlorine also strips away your skin’s natural oils, making it dry. When eczema-prone skin gets too dry, it can crack and flare up. People with eczema may react even more strongly to chlorine than others.
Other pool chemicals: Besides chlorine, pools have other sanitizers and by-products (like chloramines) that can itch, sting, or give you a rash if you’re sensitive.
What to do: If you swim a lot, your skin barrier can weaken over time. Always rinse off right after you leave the pool, pat your skin dry, and slather on a moisturizer.
Tap Water vs. Pool Water
Chlorine levels: Tap water is treated with chlorine too, but usually in much smaller amounts than pools. Pools also have chloramines (that strong “pool smell”), which can sting more.
Exposure time: You might shower for 5-10 minutes but swim for 30–60 minutes. More time in chlorinated water means more drying.
Water pH: Pools keep their water at a slightly alkaline pH, which can be gentler on some people’s skin than the varying pH of tap water.
Hard water minerals: Tap water often has minerals like calcium and magnesium that can leave soap scum on your skin and increase dryness. Pools don’t have those in the same way.
Temperature matters: Hot showers dry you out. Cooler pool water can feel nice, but still rinse and moisturize afterward.
Antibacterial Body Washes: Are They Worth It?
Staph and eczema: Many people with eczema carry more Staph bacteria on their skin, which can make itching and redness worse.
Harsh ingredients: Most antibacterial washes use alcohol, strong fragrances, and sulfates. These strip away oil and leave your skin even drier and more irritated.
Microbiome balance: Your skin needs good bacteria to stay healthy. Antibacterial soaps kill them, too, upsetting your skin’s natural defenses.
Expert advice: The National Eczema Association and American Academy of Dermatology advise using mild, fragrance-free, dye-free cleansers instead of antibacterial soaps.
Exception: If a doctor confirms a real skin infection, they might prescribe a special antiseptic wash (like a very diluted bleach bath). But that’s for infection treatment, not everyday use.
The Bottom Line
Chlorine can soothe or sting. Some folks find pool swims helpful; others get drier, itchier skin.
Tap water has its own issues. Hard water minerals and hot showers can worsen eczema.
Skip regular antibacterial washes. They tend to dry and irritate more than they help.
Stick to gentle routines: Rinse after swimming, use fragrance-free cleansers, take lukewarm showers, pat dry, and moisturize right away.
Watch your skin: Pay attention to how it feels and adjust your habits. When in doubt, check in with your dermatologist for advice tailored to you.