Best Swimmers Shampoo

If you’re a swimmer and love the pool, you’ll know how harsh the chlorine and other chemicals found in the water can be on not only your hair but your skin too. But it’s not only the pool water that can damage your hair and skin, even saltwater and hard gray water can strip your hair leaving it lifeless and dull.

Restore and nourish your hair with a specific shampoo that will reduce brittleness, replenish vitamins and minerals to your hair and scalp and invigorate your hair back to its former glory.

We’ve reviewed some of the best swimmers’ shampoos on the market and have reviewed them for their ability to strip chlorine, nourish the hair and scalp, remove green tint from hair and leave you odor-free.

Best Swimmers Shampoos

1. TriSwim

TriSwim neutralizes and removes chemicals and chlorine from hair and skin, leaving it soft and odor-free.

Key Features

• Contains aloe vera, so this shampoo is very moisturizing and soothing
• Eliminates chlorine and other harsh chemicals from hair using its special formulation
• Assists in eliminating dandruff as well as healing a dry, itchy scalp through healing properties in chamomile and watercress
• Universal scent
• Not tested on animals

TriSwim is gentle on hair, but tough on chemicals. It is filled with vitamins and minerals to nourish and repair your hair while it removes chlorine, bromine, hard water minerals and chemical odors.

Pros

• Moisturises, hydrates, nourishes and repairs hair
• Gently removes chlorine, salt water, odors and green tint caused by copper from hair
• Relieves symptoms of dandruff and dry scalp as well
• Safe for everyday use

Cons

• May have an aloe vera smell to some people
• May not eliminate green completely from blonde hair

With its universal lime and mango scent, Triswim is suitable for all genders and children. It’s also safe for use on permed and colored hair.

2. ExerShield After-Swim 2-in-1

A sulfate free 2-in-1 body wash and shampoo that will leave your hair and skin irritation-free.

Key Features

• No artificial ingredients, colors, synthetic fragrances, and not tested on animals
• All-natural formulation to leave hair and skin feeling fresh and irritant-free
• Scientifically proven formula to neutralize chlorine and remove hard water
• Leaves you odor-free
• Responsibly sourced ingredients using sustainable harvesting and fair-trade practices.

Using an all-natural formula, this premium body wash and shampoo combination is both good for you and good for the environment.

Pros

• Great smell and good lather.
• Doesn’t dry the skin.
• No to low chlorine smell and residue on skin.
• All-natural formula.

Cons

• Quite a thin, clear liquid makes it difficult to see the amount on your hand.

This 2-in-1 will become your new favorite product, with its refreshing citrus fragrance and premium high-quality ingredients it will leave you smelling fresh and chlorine-free.

3. Thinksport

Formulated free of biologically harmful chemicals to keep you smelling fresh and clean.

Key Features

• Ingredients selected based on scientific research and all rated low hazard
• No parabens, phthalates, 1,4 dioxane, SLS or other harmful chemicals
• Effective at removing chlorine
• Not tested on animals and no animal products included – a truly cruelty-free formula

This is a gentle shampoo and body wash combination which is highly effective at removing chlorine from hair and skin. This is the adult formula.

Pros

• Effective at removing chlorine
• 2-in-1 formula as a shampoo and body wash to clean both skin and hair.
• Cruelty-free
• Low hazard and low allergen formula
• Nothing nasty

Cons

• Need to use a different Thinksport formulation for kids

If you love swimming but don’t love smelling like the pool, this Thinksport formulation is gentle on the skin and hair and is great at removing chlorine from the skin and hair as well as removing the smell.

4. Fairy Tales Sun & Swim

Cleanse and hydrate with this kids summer shampoo that is gentle enough for daily use. Removes the green from hair as well as other sea salts and minerals. Perfect for swimmers and kids who love playing at the beach but don’t love green hair!

Key Features

• Removes chlorine and minerals with its gentle fruit extracts
• Clarifies daily build up
• Hypoallergenic
• Restores softness and improves shine
• Moisturises and detangles with aloe and jojoba properties

An extra benefit of this children’s shampoo is that it is completely gluten, soy, dairy and nut free so it is great for sensitive children and people with allergies.

Pros

• Safe for children
• Gentle enough for daily use
• Removes green color and odors
• Free from nasties such as parabens, phthalates and sulfates
• Removes chlorine and reduces itching

Cons

• May be too potent or fruity for some little ones, with orange flower, grapefruit and lemon

This ultra-gentle children’s daily shampoo will leave your little ones hair shiny and refreshed and remove green color and chlorine odors.

5. Reflect Sports H2O

Reflect Sports Shampoo gently removes copper deposits from your hair that can cause it to turn green. Also removes chlorine, impurities and product build up from the scalp.

Key Features

• Removes chlorine and product build up from scalp
• Removes copper deposits to prevent green hair
• Does not strip hair or color
• No sulfates, so it is extremely gentle on skin and hair

This special formula includes B5, vitamin E, amino acids (wheat, keratin and silk) to strengthen and rejuvenate hair. It also has a special UV absorber, so it’s perfect for outdoor use.

Pros

• Removes chlorine and copper deposits that can cause green hair
• Does not strip color
• Free from a lot of sulfates and preservatives
• Strengthens and protects hair

Cons

• Light flowery smell
• Ideally use with a conditioner as well

This is a great swim shampoo for outdoor use due to the UV absorber. Its combination of ingredients protect your color, while restoring damaged hair to keep it silky, shiny, free from chlorine odors and hydrated.

6. Aubrey

This shampoo is a plant-based formula made with at least 75% organic ingredients that are vegan, gluten-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free and cruelty-free.

Key Features

• Great for hair that is constantly exposed to chlorine or salt water
• Clarifying formula removes build up and impurities without leaving the hair brittle
• Essential oil scented with almond and apricot
• At least 75% organic natural ingredients

Extra ingredients in this natural shampoo such as jojoba oil and quinoa protein balance and smooth the hair to reduce frizz and allow your hair to naturally shine.

Pros

• All hair types, stressed/discolored hair, hair exposed to chlorine or salt water
• Mild enough for everyday use
• Also works on gray hair
• More natural than some others with a host of organic ingredients, so there’s less chemicals

Cons

• Does not lather too well
• Need to use with a conditioner

Maintain your silky hair with this organic, vegan, healthy shampoo. Helps to strengthen hair and reduce breakages and create a vibrant, frizz-free head of hair.

7. Babo Botanicals

A multi-purpose 2-in-1 formula to cleanse and purify the scalp, hair, and skin. Specially made for babies and children.

Key Features

• Helps remove chlorine and minerals with its special corn-derived chelator
• Clarifies daily build up
• Clinically tested and hypoallergenic
• Hydrating cleanser, gentle enough for babies and children
• Plant-based ingredients

With moisturizing ingredients like shea and cocoa butter, this purifying shampoo replenishes and hydrates hair while leaving it shiny and smooth.

Additional ingredients aloe and cucumber nourish the scalp and skin as well and provide a lovely scent.

Pros

• Safe for kids, babies and those with sensitive skin
• Can be used daily
• Not tested on animals
• Easy to use dispensing bottle
• Removes chlorine and reduces itching

Cons

• May need a few washes for blonde hair to remove green totally
• A little drying, use a conditioner as well

Babo’s exclusive and organic Nutri-Soothe Complex means this is a sulfate-free, tear-free and whole family-friendly combination shampoo and wash, perfect for after swimming and playing outdoors.

8. Summer Solutions

Rejuvenate your dry, faded, brittle, smelly hair with this Summer Solutions One Step hair care solution. A gentle, deep cleansing combination formula to replenish chlorine damaged hair.

Key Features

• Chlorine neutralizing. Also works well on bromine and other chemicals
• Deep gentle clean, safe for everyday use
• Prevents and removes green tinge from hair created by copper
• Removes chlorine odors

A salon-quality shampoo that offers a full-bodied finish leaving hair vibrant and strong. Removes chemical smells and green discoloration.

Pros

• Removes chlorine smell with a juniper scent
• Reduces itching and dry skin
• Leaves hair smooth, soft and shiny
• Adds body to hair

Cons

• Does not detangle

A combination shampoo and conditioner that is simple and quick to use but also effective at removing chlorine and leaving hair salon perfect.

9. UltraSwim

This is a gentle formula specifically designed to remove chlorine, chemicals and odors from hair. The UltraSwim brand is made especially for swimmers.

Key Features

• Removes chlorine, oxidized metals and copper build up after just one use
• Moisturises and replenishes hair
• Gentle enough for everyday use
• Suitable for all hair types including colored, lightened and permed

Chlorine, metals, and copper can build up in your hair over time, but UltraSwim is formulated to remove this build up in swimmers’ hair even after just one application.

Pros

• Removes build up of harmful chemicals after just one use
• Easy to use
• Moisturisers and replenishes while repairing hair

Cons

• Contains sulfates
• Fragranced, which is not for everybody
• Use with a conditioner to put nutrients back in

UltraSwim is ideal for swimmers with its special formulation made just for swimmers and the harsh conditions in which their hair has to live. Strip the chemicals but not the hair, with this great shampoo.

10. Malibu Swimmers

Malibu is a top choice of many swimmers due to its targeted formula that reduces hair damage, prevents discoloration, detangles hair, and improves shine and strength.

Key Features

• Soft, soothing and gentle
• Protects against pool damage and removes water damage from hair with added nutrients
• Improves the overall look and feel of your hair
• Antioxidant-rich
• Reduces dryness and itchiness

Moisturizing oils in the Malibu Shampoo restore hair and replenish nutrients leaving your hair soft and shiny. This formula removes harsh chemicals like chlorine but also assists in rejuvenating hair damaged by saltwater.

Pros

• Citrusy and fresh smelling
• Doesn’t make you itchy
• Leaves hair shiny
• Quick to return tangled messy hair to original state

Cons

• High price

The expense may just be worth it to add the Malibu Swimmers Wellness Shampoo & Conditioner Duo to your post-pool hair regime.

11. SwimSpray Chlorine Removal Spray

Looking for an alternative to shampoo, conditioner or body wash to remove the chlorine from your hair and even your skin? This SwimSpray Vitamin C Chlorine Removal Spray may just be the answer.

Key Features

• 100% natural Vitamin C
• Fragrance-free formula so it is suitable for all skin types
• Tested by dermatologists
• Removes chlorine odors from hair and skin by spraying over oneself
• Reduces skin irritation from chemicals, as the spray removes them from the skin
• Free from sulfate and artificial colors

The SwimSpray uses Vitamin C to neutralize the chlorine on your body and eliminate the residue. It breaks the bond that chlorine has to your hair and skin.

Pros

• Dissolves and removes chlorine and prevents itching after swimming.
• Can be used over the entire body as well as hair.

Cons

• Must be rinsed off in the shower. Then use your own normal shampoo after.
• Must spray many times to cover body and hair.

SwimSpray is the first product of its kind that can be sprayed on the skin and hair to remove chlorine. It is safe and gentle and low irritant. A suitable alternative to shampoos and washes.

12. Paul Mitchell

Results driven hair care for the swimmer who wants a salon finish.

Key Features

• Clarifying and purifying
• Deep cleansing, washes away impurities
• Removes chlorine
• Removes product build up from hair and strengthens hair at the same time

The Paul Mitchell salon style shampoo is both clarifying and purifying leaving your hair chemical-free and silky smooth.

Pros

• Salon finish
• Removes product build up
• Reduces waxiness
• Gentle scent
• Great for keeping blonde hair blonde, not green

Cons

• Strips hair, so use a conditioner afterwards

If you are after that just stepped out of the salon look, then the Paul Mitchell Shampoo Three is the one for you. Healthy, strong hair free from chlorine, toxic chemical build-up and waxiness.

Bottom Line

There are so many shampoos on the market, how do you know which is right? Especially if you have a special need in mind.

Hopefully our review of these top 12 shampoos specifically designed to combat the harsh effects of chlorine and other chemicals in the pool, beach, lake or just grey water, has provided you some options to try.

Whether it’s the pungent odor, or the green tinge you are trying to great rid of, these reputable brands have tried every scientific formula to come up with a range of ingredients that are not only great for your hair and skin, but can be good for the environment as well.

So next time you go for a swim and want to remove the odor and after effects of harsh chemicals from your body, skin and hair, reach for one of these swimmer shampoos to leave you feeling fresh, chemical-free and odor-free.

Visit the OutdoorWorld homepage for more expert product reviews and don’t forget to read through our gifts for swimmers post!