I Swim 5 Times a Week - This 'Swim Cap' Hair Mask Stops Chlorine From Wrecking My Hair
Brittany Stewart is a beauty journalist and podcaster with an extensive collection of red lipsticks that look the same but definitely aren’t. When she’s not hosting beauty podcast, Beauty Island, you’ll find her searching for the best frizz-fighting, curly hair products and the face mask that will solve (all) her problems.
Low on time? Check out our key takeaways below
Key Takeaways
- Swimming has become one of my favourite activities, offering both physical and mental benefits.
- Chlorine can strip natural oils from hair, leading to dryness and damage, particularly for those with colour-treated hair.
- The Philip Kingsley Swimcap Water Resistant Hair Mask effectively protects hair from chlorine and salt water damage.
- Using the Swimcap mask leaves my hair looking shinier and healthier after swimming, even when it gets wet under a cap.
- Application is simple: dampen hair, apply the mask, and it can be worn under a swim cap or alone.
- UV protection is essential for hair during summer, even if not swimming, to prevent further damage from sun exposure.
- Consider additional hair care products like UV protective sprays and leave-in conditioners for comprehensive summer hair care.
Despite dreading it in high school, swimming has become one of my favourite activities as an adult.
After years of trying to find the ‘right’ way to exercise - something I actually stick to, will get out of bed for, and maybe even look forward to - laps in a pool have become an almost daily occurrence. On a good week.
I love the refreshing shock as you first enter the water, the genuine escapism and focus you find once you’re in the rhythm of your laps, the unspoken camaraderie with your fellow swimmers, and of course, the amazing feeling of satisfaction once you’re done.
What I don’t love so much? The cold shuffle to the changing rooms post-swim. How impossible it is to look good in a swimming cap. Oh, and more importantly, what it does to my hair. (You can learn more about how swimming and sun can affect your hair in this episode of the Beauty IQ Uncensored podcast below!)
So, I've been road-testing a hair treatment that promises to protect your hair from chlorine and salt water, minus the chic swimming cap. So much so, the mask is called... Swimcap.
Keep scrolling for my pre-swim hair treatment review, plus a bunch of tips for keeping your hair in good nick over summer.
What Does Chlorine Do to Your Hair?
While great in a pool, high levels of chlorine can strip your hair of natural oils, changing its texture and weakening or damaging your hair.
I have thick, curly hair with blonde highlights, so while regular time in the pool is great for my body and mind, it leaves my hair looking dry and more than a little brassy.
And that green chlorine tinge all blondes live in fear of? It's more than just a legend, says CEO of BODA Hair Boutique Martha Kourtidou, who's seen it on clients numerous times.
"To prevent this from happening, I always recommend a swim cap when swimming, or popping on a leave-in treatment to ensure hair cuticles are sealed," she says.
Luckily, I think I’ve found The One.
What Exactly Is the Philip Kingsley Swimcap Water Resistant Hair Mask?
Philip Kingsley Swimcap Water Resistant Mask 75ml is a hydrating and protective hair mask made especially for swimmers like you and I. Legit, it was originally designed to protect the hair of the swimmers in the first US synchronised swim team.
I fell hard and fast for the Philip Kingsley Elasticizer treatment earlier this year, so it was only a matter of time before I got my hands on their swimming mask.
Featuring hydrolysed elastin to help reduce breakage, olive oil to add shine and moisture, castor oil to lock in hydration, and sunscreen to protect against any damage or colour fading, this mask promises to:
- Protect hair against UV damage.
- Prevent damage from chlorine and salt water.
- Prevent the dreaded green hair from chlorine.
Paraben and sulfate-free, the hydrating mask can be used while swimming and even sunbathing. (With a body lathered in SPF, of course.) It's also suitable for all ages and hair types, but it’s particularly good for blondes - natural or otherwise.
My Philip Kingsley Swimcap Hair Mask Review.
I’ve spent the last year in a battle between loving swimming and getting frustrated at what it does to my hair.
Because I have long, thick and curly hair, even when I wear a swimming cap, my hair still ends up damp with the chlorine-filled water. This mask is a game-changer for regular swimmers because, even if my hair gets wet through my cap, this product has my back (or crown!).
Usually when you wash your hair post-swim, it can still feel squeaky or crunchy, and look dull. But after washing the mask out and doing my regular shampoo and conditioner, I see a noticeable difference in how my hair looks. Think: boosted shine and revived colour.
The consistency of the Swimcap mask is similar to other masks I’ve tried - slightly thicker and more solid than a conditioner - but it's closer in texture to a body product, which makes me feel even more confident in its protective abilities. That said, it doesn’t feel super heavy when actually applied to hair. I also really like the scent and it’s now become another sensory cue in the whole swimming experience.
Bonus: The handy 75ml size is super easy to chuck in your swimming bag.
My only teeny, tiny criticism of this mask would be that you have to wash it out, only because I don’t always want to wash my hair after every swim. So, consider this my official request for a no-rinse version please, Philip Kingsley!
How to Use a Pre-Swim Hair Mask.
Before you dive in, dampen hair and apply the mask, ideally combing in sections to ensure an even coverage. I’ll admit, I don’t always have the patience for that, but applying it all over with my hands seems to do the trick just as well.
I usually wear the mask under my swimming cap, but it’s water resistant, so you don’t have to. Leave it in while you're at the pool or beach, and then rinse out when you’re done.
If you’ve got fine hair, you may need to shampoo twice to fully remove it, but on my hair, I find once is enough to do the trick, particularly when I’m using a scalp treatment, too. Then, follow with your usual conditioner.
What About Hair Sunscreen? Do You Need That, Too?
This mask has you covered for UV protection if you're jumping in the water, but even if you don't plan on getting your hair wet, it could do with some protection in summer.
If you’re swimming in salt water or the ocean, or sitting outside in the sun enjoying a beverage, the elements can still affect your hair.
Kourtidou adds, "Sun exposure will definitely create dryness and further hair breakage."
Here are some other great summer haircare picks:
1. Oribe Invisible Defense Universal Protection Spray.
Why it's great: This heat and UV protective spray is powerful yet weightless, and almost more like a mist. Ideal for heat styling and everyday use outside, it helps protect colour, add shine, and ease frizz. It’s even effective up to 230 degrees celsius. Hot!
2. Mr. Smith The Foundation.
Why it's great: One of the best options for styling, this versatile pre-styling creme offers heat and UV protection, nourishing ingredients, and gives hair a boost of volume and body.
3. Aveda Suncare Hair Veil.
What: AVEDA Suncare Hair Veil
Why it's great: A long-term favourite, consider this your must-use sunscreen for your hair. Lightweight and water-resistant, this UV defence mist creates an invisible barrier to protect hair for up to 16 hours. Bye bye colour fade, damage and dryness.
And that's your summer haircare guide! BYO sunscreen.
Want more great haircare recommendations? Check out these stories from the Adore Beauty team below!
