Lucky you! I love to swim. Unfortunately, I just got a new running coach, and he decided that all of my swim workouts this week are going to be 7000yds of straight freestyle, no stopping, this morning through next Friday morning. I asked why, he told me it was a lesson in patience and focus. Did the first one this morning, it went ok. I missed my intervals and pyramids though.
Oh, yeah, you wanted to know about skin care. LOTION every single time you get out of the shower after a workout. I use Curel unscented lotion and it works wonders – I swam 51,000 yds this week and my skin is fine. Dove soap is also really good, the type where the bar is pink and white stripes has extra moisturizer and skin softener.