Infant Skin — Why It’s More Vulnerable to Pool Chemicals & How to Protect It.

Understanding Infant Skin

Infant skin is 30% thinner, has a higher pH, and contains less natural moisturising factors than adult skin. Its barrier is still developing, making it:

• more permeable

• more prone to dryness

• more reactive to chemicals

• slower to recover from irritation

This means chlorine and heavy metals have a stronger effect on infant skin than on adult skin.

How Pool Water Affects Infant Skin

When infants swim, their delicate skin is exposed to the same chemical load as adults — but with far greater impact:

• Chlorine sticks easily to thin infant skin

• Heavy metals can deposit and cause irritation

• Higher sensitivity leads to redness, dry patches, or chapping

• Frequent swim lessons can compound dryness quickly

• Skin may appear: blotchy, itchy, or rough after lessons

Because the acid mantle is still developing, infants cannot buffer chemical exposure as effectively as adults.

Best After-Swim Routine for Infants

1. Rinse immediately — even before bath time

2. Use a gentle chlorine-neutralising product formulated for babies

3. Avoid harsh soaps or fragranced products

4. Moisturise after bathing to protect the developing barrier

Clean Swim Product Suggestions for Infants 

🍼 Baby & Toddler Gentle Spray

Link: https://www.cleanswim.com.au/products/baby-toddler-gentle-spray
A super-gentle, no-rinse spray designed specifically for delicate infant and toddler skin. Quickly removes chlorine and metals without harsh surfactants.

🍼 Baby Pack

Link: https://www.cleanswim.com.au/products/baby-pack
A complete infant-friendly after-swim care set formulated for the most sensitive skin. Ideal for regular baby swim lessons.

👶 Toddler Pack

Link: https://www.cleanswim.com.au/products/toddler-pack
Perfect for toddlers who swim weekly. Includes gentle formulations to help remove chlorine and protect developing skin.

🧴 Chlorine Clear Body Spray (for older children)

Link: https://www.cleanswim.com.au/products/chlorine-clear-body-spray
While formulated with adults in mind, this Vitamin-C spray is also suitable for older kids who need quick chlorine removal between lessons and bath time.

Infant skin is far more vulnerable to chlorine and heavy metals due to its thinness and developing barrier. Gentle cleansing and neutralising products are essential for keeping baby skin soft, healthy, and irritation-free after swimming.

The Clean Swim baby and toddler range is specifically designed for this purpose — making post-swim care simple, safe, and effective.