I just use that Ultraswim shampoo. For lotions, I use whatever is on sale at Walgreens or Body Shop or wherever, but I slather it on right after every single shower.

Face: Avon stuff in the green jar (Renew?) Swear by that.

clm

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clm
Nashville, TN
https://twitter.com/ironclm | http://ironclm.typepad.com

I like Aveda's Detox shampoo...my hair was getting to a straw like consistency and this stuff seems to help.

Lotion - whatever's in the gym bag, use alot

My two big things: I use a spray on conditioner (I think Pantene makes it) in addition to 'normal' conditioner. (I've also found that I need to shampoo twice to get the chlorine smell out) I also swear by this body-butter consistency lotion that Nivea makes, I think it's just called Nivea Creme. It comes in a tub (I've seen the travel size at some drug stores, and here in the PacNW, at Fred Meyer.) My skin gets really dry from swimming (and the multiple showers that it necessitates) and this stuff absorbs well, isn't greasy and smells nice. Plus it's like five bucks for the big tub.

I can't say I don't still look like crap after swimming (what with the goggle marks and all) but at least my hair and skin feel good! I'm also "fortunate" enough to work at a newspaper with a bunch of super casual boys who are used to me coming in with wet hair and goggle marks, so I've got that going for me! :-D

Michelle

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Is this the part where I come in and say something like "Erika, there is nothing you could do post swim to improve on perfection..." or something along those lines? :)

Ohh, how sweet! You obviously haven't seen my dried out skin and raccoon eyes after a swim workout. Otherwise you'd be shipping me a tub of moisturizer. Um, don't do that though, my husband might get suspicious.

Nah, I'll just tell him I borrowed it from you in Vegas...oh wait, maybe that's worse. ;)

[reply]Is this the part where I come in and say something like "Erika, there is nothing you could do post swim to improve on perfection..." or something along those lines? :)[/reply]

You are going to fit in here just fine.

clm

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clm
Nashville, TN
https://twitter.com/ironclm | http://ironclm.typepad.com

A cap!!!!!!!!!

Seriously, this is why I went from hair to the middle of my back to about an inch all over. It was fried!!!

I use an amazing face cream called Hydase. It is kind of expensive but it is the only thing, I have found that works.

Nivea cream and Aquaphor are awesome, too.

I usually do put on a cap, though. I am a slug these days.

The best thing I found was moving to a SEAL mask, honestly. The fit is not nearly as tight as goggles, comfy, and doesn't leave you with marks. None at all for me. The next best tip, I like using a chamois as a towel. No drying myself with a real cotton towel - I have really dry skin. The chamois is great, leaves me a *little* damp, and ready for the lotion. Plus, I never take it out of my swim bag and so can't forget it. I rinse it out with soap right after I dress each swim session. Easy.

I like the olay regenerist line. But even after putting that on my face, I still put on the Eucerin Creme. I really like the Eucerin Plus for the rest of me. Does a good job of holding in moisture, and is easy to put on. My hands take the chlorine the worst. I like the Eucerin Plus Hand creme. (I feel like a commercial now.)

luckily, my boyfriend is a swimmer so we both smell like chlorine, all of the time...

Shampoo: Suave 2 in 1 kids shampoo. I'm pretty attached to the "strawberry smoothie" scent.
Lotion: Curel unscented something-or-other. That actually seems to work pretty well.

I've kind of given up on keeping my hair in any decent shape, though. No matter how many times I shampoo, still chlorine damaged...

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maybe she's born with it, maybe it's chlorine
If you're injured and need some sympathy, PM me and I'm very happy to write back.
disclaimer: PhD not MD

What an appropriate thread! I'm sitting here at work post lunch swim with my hair pulled back into a bun, nothing but mascara and lipstick on....
I use the TriSwim shampoo and cond. No problems with chlorine smell, plus I like the way it smells. I'm a Cetaphil whore, so I use the face wash, body wash, lotion, and face moisturizer after.

I try to keep it to a minimum since I'm always rushed to get back to work.

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Come crawling faster

This is great and perfect timing. For the first time in my life I have had a bout of excema and tried to stay out of the pool for a short period of time. I'm back now and am slathering myself in Eucerin Intenstive Repair which actaully seems to keep my skin feeling like a real person's.

Anyone have any problems with excema and advice on how they cope with it while trying to swim on a regular schedule?

After swimming in chlorinated pools for over 30 years, I would suggest the following:

- Shampoo: Pick something that is specifically designed to remove chlorine. UltraSwim Shampoo and Malibu Swim & Sport are two such products. There are others. There is a huge difference between swimmer-specific shampoos and anything else out there.

- Conditioner: Hmm, don't use it, but if you are using a swim-specific shampoo, then I would guess any conditioner is fine.

- Eye Cream, Moisturizer, Lotion: I use Cetaphil Moisturizing cream around my eyes and on my face; it comes in a tub at your local pharmacy. I use Eucerin Original Moisturizing Lotion for the rest of the body.

- Body Wash: Just use the same Malibu Swim & Sport for my body. Soap is too drying. Or you can try a gentle non-soap product like Phisoderm. UltraSwim used to make a great body wash, but it is no longer available in the US.

One other recommendation is that you should minimize your time standing in a hot shower right after your swim. Although it feels really good on the muscles, it isn't very good for your skin. And as someone else already said, always put on all your moisturizers and lotions as soon as you dry off from your shower.

Good Luck.
BrokenSpoke

Sorry, Gent here.

Byrd, your excema post caught my attention. Yes I deal with it and after 3 docs....the last being a Derm that was the advise I was given. Deal with it.

Mine is on my feet....always. Occasionally I get outbreaks on my elbows, fingers and palms. I've been prescribe some steriodal cream that really does a good job at knocking it back and controlling the itch but it is only temporary. From my own research it is thought to be a) Allergic reaction b) "leaky gut syndrome" c) Celiac...which kinda goes with b.

I don't have any problem with the pool. My min pool time is 3x/week, 1 hr workouts.

I ought to buy stock in Cortaide !

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Hurry Up Every Chance You Get

(formerly LuctorEtEmergo)

By the way ladies.......

I know you girls like to "dress up" for each other but that "Fresh From the Gym" look is Hot ! Go with that.

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Hurry Up Every Chance You Get

(formerly LuctorEtEmergo)

Seriously? I always feel like I look like a drowned rat.

Paul Mitchell puts out a shampoo that is for removing the chlorine as well. I think it is called Shampoo 3. I use it after I swim.

The goggle marks are just there. HAvne't learned anything to take care of that. I also use Neutragena Sensitive Skin FAce lotion with a q-tip to remove eye makeup around my eye only. That helps put moisture back into the eye area. It's non-cccc?????/sp. whatever the word is for not clogging your pores.

I also use Aveno body wash for dry senstive skin. No soap. Smells clean and refreshing, non drying, etc . However, my fiancee says he still can smell chlorine on me after I use it. I can't though becuase I am so use to the chlorine smell. Basincally, though it doesn't further dry out my skin.

I swear by Curel lotions. No mineral oil in most of the Curel products. I am allergic to mineral oil. They have one that smells like vanilla. My favorite scent.

Ohhhh! I once heard that to protect your hair to pre wet it before getting in the pool. Supposedly it gets the hair shaft wet and you don't get as much chlorinated water in it. Anyone ever heard of that one?

I once heard that to protect your hair to pre wet it before getting in the pool. Supposedly it gets the hair shaft wet and you don't get as much chlorinated water in it. Anyone ever heard of that one?

I have heard of that one, and I do that faithfully. It seems to help with the damage, but my hair still smells like pool water. Some ladies in my old masters group used to put conditioner/oil on their hair before putting their swim caps on, but I like the lycra swim caps, so I don't think that would do me (or the pool water) much good. But if you use the rubber swim caps, it supposedly works great.

M

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The beatings will continue until morale improves

I've heard it as well -- and do it, and find that it helps.

The downside of using conditioner as well (which I haven't tried) is that it is not so great for the pool filters. Same as the oils on our skin (which is why all the signs about showering before swimming).

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Miles of Life --- Powered by MarkyV

I take a quick shower before getting in the pool and add conditioner, usually Pantene. It works great!

That makes sense. That would explain why it's a hair stylist making that recommendation and not an aquatics director! :-D

M

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The beatings will continue until morale improves

Another excema dealer here (also not so thrilled with the dermatologist advice). I find the pool doesn't always make it worse -- for me it's more stress and travel (weird soaps I think) related. Although I also make sure to shower right out of the pool to get the chemicals off.

I often use a generic liquid soap as a body wash. I love it -- it seems to work well on the chlorine smell -- it's cheap -- and it smells great! It's a peppermint one by Dr. Bronner. I get it at Trader Joe's, but Sprouts also has it, and online some places. Very concentrated, so I keep a travel shampoo thing of it in my swim bag with about half soap, half water. Put a little on a loofa and I'm good to go :) The site with it is drbronner.com, but I can't get there right now.

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Miles of Life --- Powered by MarkyV

It's a tougher price point to swallow but I've fallen in love with Keihl's products. Their olive oil shampoo and conditioner makes my hair so soft like nothing else (though Dove conditioner was a close second). Though I have really thick hair and imagine it may weigh down thinner hair. I also have a Kiehl's face wash I use after swimming which is gentler which is exactly what your face needs after swimming. Oh yeah, and then Keihl's eye cream and face moisturizer. It's wicked expensive but so worth it...I figure it's the equivilent of what I would be paying if I had a Starbucks habit.

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http://smallfoodbiz.com
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OMG I use the seal mask too for the same reasons! I don't care how goofy it looks. I don't have to deal with racoon eyes. SOmetimes my eyes do get puffy after and I use hemorrhiod creme. I always use Oil of Olay after swimming.I keep Oil of Olay in my car too to put on during the ride home or anytime my skin is dry. I also use Vit C ester after every face washing right before moisturinzing.

That's funny, I'm also an Oil of Olay girl. Both the "normal" and the thicker kind that comes in a jar for winter. I have bottles in my gym bag, regular bag and at home. My husband has learned to stop asking about it. :-)

Love that stuff!

M

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Thanks for the info - I will have to look into the leaky gut (yum) and the celiac.

I have been advised by my doc to not use the hot tub, take short showers (not too hot), use Dove soap and only when "necessary", lotion up without completely drying myself off, use Eucerin lotion and take a shower every other day. Being so active, the showering every other day went out the window the moment she said it.

I also have started to take GLA and a supplement with flax seed, borage oil & fish oil. Every day and multiple times a day when the excema was at it's worst. I also am trying to eat walnuts, salmon, flax seed oil and all those great omega-3's.

I also went to Whole foods to see if they had any creams or salves that I read about on Dr. Weil's website and found one called Look No X E Ma! by Four Elements. It really seems to help with the itching although it is not cheap - 2 oz for about $14. Seems to last though.

My doc also gave me a script for a steroid cream, but I have yet to fill it in hopes I can try to get more to the root of the problem...although with all of this different stuff I am doing, I haven't a clue what the root problem is for me! Right now for me, if the excema is improving, I am a happier camper!

I have always wanted to ask this question to get some more ideas, but thought it too "girly" for the main ST forum. This is perfect!

I swear by the Tri Swim shampoo and conditioner. I like the way it smells, and it really seems to get the chlorine out better than regular shampoos. This may sound bad, but I don't shampoo my hair after every swim (I'm in the pool 5-6 days per week). I rinse it well, and use conditioner like I would shampoo on alternate days.

One product I've found and LOVE LOVE LOVE is a leave-in product called ReSami Miracle Hair. I saw it advertised on the Swimming World website and decided to give it a try for my 11 year old daughter. She is a swimmer and has very long hair, and her hair was becoming quite damaged. The stuff is AMAZING! I started using it on myself as well. It's expensive, but especially for long hair it's well worth it. http://www.salonweb.com/resami/capsules.htm

Body wash -- anything super-moisturizing. I think I have something by either Dove or Aveeno right now. I second the idea of layering on the moisturizer while your skin is still damp. I also use the Olay Regenerist and have some Aveeno facial moisturizer in my car to use right after practice.

Now, if only anyone had a sure-fire cure for goggle-induced raccoon eyes! I think they're permanent, unfortunately. :-(

Since I was about five years old, I've been a blonde/green-haired swimmer. Nexxus makes a good chlorine removal shampoo called Aloe Rid.

Post-open water swims, when you're dealing with wetsuit marks on your neck and arms, I use Aquaphor. You can usually get samples in race bags and at expos.

I go the other way on the goggle issue, and have found that properly adjusted swedish goggles leave me with the least-marked eyes of all.

Aquaphor is great stuff- only thing I've found that really knocks back the dermatitus problem that flares up on my left hand every so often.

Husband's known me long enough that he likes it when I smell like chlorine.

yep, the swedish goggles don't leave marks! also, use foam gasket rather than the harder silicone gasketed lenses if you want cushion. If you wet your hair before swimming and slather on conditioner it closes the hair shaft so less damage. I have thin, fine blonde hair (swimming nightmare) so I use Aveda that removes chemicals and then the SapMoss conditioner-for face I use intensive conditioning lotion and then a layer of Neutrogena face w/spf- for body I use massage oil. I can't reach my back though so the dry skin itchy ness drives me crazy! I wish someone would invent some kind of applicator so you could reach middle back!

<<I wish someone would invent some kind of applicator so you could reach middle back!>>

Try this: lotion applicator. It's not perfect, but it's better than nothing. It works best with a lotion that's medium consistency--too thin and it runs out; too thick and it doesn't really apply well.

I'll second (third?) the Aveda Hair Detoxifier shampoo. I'm in the water a lot and my fine, thin hair is in reasonably good shape. I'd be happy to find something that works as well on my skin!

thanks Heidi- wish it wasn't out of stock but that gives me an idea :)

Oops, sorry! I didn't notice it was out of stock. I actually bought mine at Linens and Things, although it was years ago. Try this instead; you can get two for the price of one and use the second one for sunscreen.

The Aveda detox shampoo is great--no chlorine smell at all!
For body wash/soap, I've tried everything out there. There's always a hint of chlorine smell--especially on my hands--I think the chlorine binds to thicker keratin in my nails and palms.
Lotion can cover up that smell, but doing a run or ride after the swim gets rid of the chlorine smell until the next swim.
BTW, love the aquaseal solution to the raccoon eyes!

I really like Weleda Skin Food. It's great stuff that's thick enough for your hands and lips, yet gentle enough for your face. It's on sale 1/2 off at my local Whole Foods so i stocked up.

I also really like Kiehl's Creme-de-elegance (I think that's what it's called). It's expensive, so I just ask for samples when I buy hand cream- Ultimate Strength Hand Salve is one of my favorites for the winter.

My son has severe eczema. Sometimes a day later after pool swimming, he looks horrifying; seriously like a burn victim. I'd been using the emollients of course, and hydrocortisone. But this was getting BAD, so i brought him to the doctor. the doc said the lube up with Aquaphor BEFORE swimming, not just after.

now ordinarily slathering yourself with something oily before getting in a pool is a no-no, but this is kind of a deal breaker, so we do it. It works, too. On days that I have run out of Aquaphor, we have used 100% Shea Butter, which I like better b/c it is not petroleum based. I guess it's just the concept of a barrier.

HTH -- so just think you will have something in common with the great channel swimmers ;-)
Good luck

well I can tell you what NOT to do for racoon eyes. DONT use anything strong. I thought I'd be a smarty pants and use some Elizabeth Arden prevage on that area. it became VERY inflamed, VERY quickly. it's been 3 weeks of pampering that area and treating it with Neosporin, that I am finally back to regular racoon eyes, and not bright red almost raw ones. ==:-O

I also have a pair of Barracuda Medalist goggles. the traditional barracudas' don't fit me, but the medalists are smaller and they fit OK. They take some patience but they do prevent the marks. I use them for w/u and for long sets when I swim masters. For short sets when I will have to dice, or keep looking at the white board or the clock...I do switch back to traditional goggles. I've been semi OK with TRY Vanquishers, they have foam + silicone gasket....

I will try the Swedish too!

Have you seen this product? http://www.dermaswimpro.com My daughter (11) has problems with eczema and has had periodic bouts of molluscum (the dermatologist said that the virus entered through dried, cracked skin), so we use the dermaswim on her. It works very well for her, and she swims 4 times per week. It has a silicone as opposed to a petroleum base, and it's not supposed to mess up pool filtration systems.

I too have had some success with the Women's Vanquishers for raccoon eyes. Thanks for the warning -- I've been looking at eye products a lot lately, and will definitely be careful now! I used to wear the Barracuda Ultimates, but they actually left more of a mark than the Vanquishers. I don't think the seal mask would be a good idea at my masters practice. :-) I actually think it's more my 42-year old skin -- my kids wear their Vanquishers super tight with bungees, and their marks disappear within 5 minutes. They don't know how lucky they are. :-)

It's funny because I was just thinking last night that I would try applying the lotion before swimming and see if it helps any. It's hard for me to understand as I have been in the pool mulitple times per week for the past 9 years and have never had this issue until about a month ago - not sure why it would immerge now??? Thanks again for the tip.

Hey Ladies, and a few gents ;-)

THis is very cool having a forum just for us.

Anyhow, I usually dont' swim before work, don't want to scare my patients, buuut I've been contemplating it recently. Here is what I use: Triswim shampoo...amazing! If you have color treated hair it won't strip the color like other higher end products (Have tried almost all of them). I also use the shampoo as body wash, no chlorine smell...nada. I use the triswim lotion, best body lotion for after a swim. I also try to always get my hair wet and slap on some conditioner and wear a cap for every swim. Pain in the butt, but I find my hair doesn't get as strawlike. Face lotions, I sometimes mix it up. I use Kiehls lotion, then slap on sunscreen. If I'm going back to work, I just use waterproof mascara, a little concealer, lipstick and I'm off. My hair is mid-length, so I usually pull it back or up. The rocky racoon effect...well, I haven't quite figured out how to get around that one. I do switch out my goggles and have 2 pairs of swedish, but they have to suck my eyeballs out (super tight) or they just don't fit my face right. :-(

N~

i've been in and out of pools for most of my life and have tried the gamut of products out there. in addition i've got fine hair that tends to frizz and chlorine and multiple daily showers do not help. a few things that i've tried and stuck with are the aveda detox shampoo, neutragena triple creme conditioner, and alba's kukui nut cream for the body. i also really like cetaphil cream but the alba stuff smells really yummy so on swim days i treat myself by smelling like a nut all day! origins 'a perfect world' goes on my face. still searching for the best eye cream.

halliet

Maybe I won't fit in with the womens forum --My post swim routine is:
1. Wash hair with whatever product is in dispenser in locker room
2. comb my hair (if I remembered comb)
3. Put on deodorant
4. Go

The added bonus of this routine, aside from the obvious time and $ savings, is that your friends and co-workers get used to it, and, when you do style your hair and/or wear any sort of cosmetic products, people can't believe how good you look.

Seriously, don't triathletes already look better than average?

You'll fit in here just fine! My co-workers have gotten used to me coming in to work with wet hair as well. I don't know what they'd do if I actually put some effort into my appearance. I'd probably get ousted by security... :-)

M

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The beatings will continue until morale improves

LOVE that stuff!!!! got it with my pool toys and triswim products - absolutely works!!!!

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cat
Sponsored by Suntheanine, Lycored and Celadrin
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The ONLY drawback is that during pull sets, the pull buoy never stays put! :-)

For soap I recommend Soap+. If I use that soap and a loofah I can actually get the chlorine smell off my arms and legs. Otherwise I smell horrid for the rest of the day. Funny I swam 2x per day all high school and college and the smell never bothered me then...

Lots of great advice in this thread. My skin gets so dry after swimming that I deal with a red face the rest of the day. I haven't found a lotion that works, but some of the above are ones I haven't tried before :). Those rare instances in which I am out of the water for 2-3 days does wonders for my skin.

I too used to have excema very severely on the tops of my feet for several years. I did manage to get rid of it. Basically, whenever possible I would take my shoes and socks off for several months. I absolutely stopped scratching COMPLETELY!!! and it thankfully left eventually following a week-long beach holiday. I definitely find that being on the beach and in the sea all day helps - but you may have to go to work :)

Anyway, so there is hope - but you will never get rid of it unless you manage not to itch at all - so avoid things that make your feet itchy, change socks frequently, don't wear socks if possible, don't take long hot baths etc. For me anyway, it was a simple HTFU issue. I tried all sorts of creams from the doctor, and they really didn't help.

Good luck!

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Pain is temporary, quitting lasts forever.

http://www.teamrunningfree.com
http://ironmanredux.blogspot.com/

This has really helped out household. We have installed an aquasana shower filter. The water here is high in chlorine (you can smell it in our home shower, it smells like the pool!) and it really helps my skin feel softer and has cleared up my husband's dandruff.

At the pool, afterwards I use a couple of products from Origins. Dr. Andrew Weil's mega mushroom face serum and then follow it up with an application of Youthtopia moisturizer.
I found these two products by going immediately to the store after swim practice and asking the sales lady to help me with my face being so dry! That way we tried several different products, on my face exactly how it is after the pool.

Aveda Detox is gold.

I also use the Aveda Colour Conditioner and the All-Sensitive oil. I add a couple drops of the oil into my regular body lotion and the results are great. I use Estee Lauder products on my face.

chimeing in way late (sorry didn't read all the posts). Have been working in the spa industry for 16 yrs so have tried everything. Bottom line is finding what works for you - just because its expensive doesn't make it the best (but wouldn't go low end on products either) read the labels and look up anything you don't understand.
- absolute MUST: wet hair down BEFORE going in (this helps to peserve hair color and keep it from being fried)
- deep hair conditioner every 6 weeks like clock work
- tons of internal water
- full body lotion (anything with lemon to cut the scent - lemon as a base then something aromatherapy to help cover chlorine)
- can't tell you about the body products I use they are for professional purposes only and still not sure what I like best (they are a tad bit stronger than over the counter)
- I do a full body exfolliation (sp?) treatment minimum of once a quarter by someone else, and often up to 3xs/week in the shower instead of body wash (jurlique $55-70/bottle this lasts about 2 months). Seaweed/kelp (prefer something French aka Thalasotherapy) scrub is excellant to make the skin all silky. Mud wrap anywhere from 2-4xs/year (helps with muscle soreness - prefer the cold mud for post hard runs). Prefer going to a high end spa that uses high end products -something Italian- but will settle for Pevonia aromatic mud if I don't have time.
- for goggles: jurlique eye cream (think its $90 a bottle and lasts at least 6 months) just pat it under the eyes and not rub it in.
- natropathica pumpkin seed scrub/mask for the face at least 2xs/week (think $35 a container and go through this about every 3 months)
- lotion for the face whatever your aren't allergic to.
the only other thing I can think I do as an extra step is leave in conditioner while my hair is wet and a quick run through with my fingers to prevent knots.

I have tried every single type of goggle to try to thwart the "goggle eye" and TYR Socket Rockets are the best by far. They still do give a little bit of a ring, but at least I don't look quite as haggard and horrific as I have in the past after long swims.

As for the hair, I have been using (and loving, lately) this stuff called "WATER GEAR SWIM & SPORT" shampoo/bodywash and conditioner (2 separate products...) Smells good, removes ((most)) of the chlorine odor, and makes my hair soft! :)

I think the chlorine seeps into the skin, though... there's no way to get it all the way out. I smell like bleach and my boyfriend does too. Bah!