Taking a dip and cooling off in a refreshing pool is one of the many joys that we look forward to each summer. But a day of swimming laps or floating around in chlorine-filled water can often wreak havoc on your hair.
One of the tell-tale signs of chlorine damage is a green hue on blonde hair; you may even notice dryness or a waxy feel, making it hard to run a brush through.
However, don't fret! We tapped hair experts to help break down the damaging effects of chlorine on hair and how to help manage and prevent it. Keep reading to gain expert insight and even shop expert-approved products and Shop TODAY Hair Awards 2025 winners for damage-free hair.
How does chlorine affect your hair?
"Chlorine is a harsh chemical that pulls out the natural oils from your hair that act as a protectant. This leaves it dry, brittle and more prone to breakage," says trichologist Sara Hallajian. "Over time, it can weaken the hair shaft, roughen the cuticle layer and even alter hair color, especially in previously color-treated hair or repeated exposure to chlorine."
And there are tell-tale signs that you're experiencing chlorine damage, including changes in texture. Tiffanie Richards, a master colorist, says she refers to chlorine hair as "Barbie hair," since it can make hair feel like plastic, making it hard to comb.
However, Hallajian and Callisti say it's not actually the chlorine that turns hair green; it's the copper found in the pool water. "Chlorine opens the cuticle, making it easier for these metals to deposit the greenish pigment and create a greenish tint," Hallajian says.
While everyone can be affected by chlorine damage, there are certain hair types that are more susceptible to changes in color and dryness. While Richards says blondes will most often experience obvious changes in color, brunettes and redheads can also be affected. Additionally, any porous hair texture, such as curly hair that's already naturally dry, will feel the effects.
How can you protect your hair against chlorine?
If you're not up to wearing a shower or swim cap in the pool (we understand!), every expert we asked suggests pouring clean water on your hair to fill the cuticle. "If your hair is wet, then it won’t soak up as much chlorine," says Calisti. Hallajian agrees and says that rinsing your hair thoroughly "is the key to removing chlorine residue before it sets in."
Another trick worth trying? The experts recommend using a leave-in conditioner treatment that will also help fill your hair cuticle. "Anything you can put into your hair that is healthy for your hair or clean for your hair, before you jump into the pool, that’s gonna be beneficial," Richard elaborates.
How can you fix chlorine-damaged hair?
If you are looking to treat your hair at home and the damage hasn't gotten too bad, hair experts suggest using a good clarifying shampoo, which Hallajian suggests using once a week. And the good news is that you don't have to spend a lot of money on them, Richards says the drugstore brands will do the trick. "Clarifying shampoos are pretty standard. They’re not meant to hydrate at all, they’re meant to remove," says Richards.
As for conditioners, Richards notes you'll want to invest in a good leave-in option, or even opt for a hair mask since it's heavy enough to keep your hair cuticle closed and hydrated.
Once the chlorine is out, the last step you'll want to take to maintain your hair treatments is to install a shower filter. "It's really important to keep fresh water on your hair," Richard explains. "So you're typically going to want to reach for a shower head that has a filter in it, and that's gonna protect against further chlorine deposit and anything else that can potentially get into your hair."
Expert-recommended products to prevent and treat chlorine-damaged hair
Experts across the board suggest this remedy to help remove chlorine. “If you’re wanting something at home, Malibu C also makes an at-home crystal remedy and that removes any kind of mineral deposit as well,” says Richards.
According to the brand, leaving this in your hair for five minutes (before shampooing) will help remove and prevent the green tint and any chemicals your hair may have absorbed from the water. "It strips the chlorine right out of your hair, leaving your hair silky and smooth,” says Calisti.
The hair experts agree that Malibu C is one of the best brands for treating and preventing chlorine damage, explaining that this shampoo is ideal for use immediately after swimming to prevent the damage from settling in.
The brand also sells the entire essentials kit, so if you want to try out the full hair care routine, this may be the perfect product to pick up for summer.
Richards says she likes carrying around and using the Rahua leave-in conditioner and says it’s especially great for pool days because it contains a UV protectant.
After shampooing your hair, Calisti suggests using "a good deep conditioner," and likes this hair mask from Color Wow.
Clarifying shampoos to shop
This shampoo just won our first-ever Shop TODAY Hair Awards for “best purifying shampoo.”
“I love its tingly feel that seems to wake up my scalp and strands, and I’ve always been in love with its smell,” says associate editor Sierra Hoeger.
Experts say a clarifying shampoo is meant to remove build-up, and thankfully, you can just grab one at an affordable cost. Shop TODAY editors' love hair products from Kristin Ess, and this clarifying shampoo also contains the brand's proprietary complex, "Zip-Up Technology," which promises to strengthen split ends and damaged cuticles.
I [Garlin] have color-treated hair and have often stayed clear of clarifying shampoos because I was nervous of stripping my expensive salon dye, but this clarifying shampoo doesn't contain sodium laurel sulfate and is safe on color-treated and all hair types, per the brand.
"Massaging this into my hair not only feels like it’s soaking up all of the gunk and impurities, but also gives my scalp new life," says editorial operations manager Jill Ortiz in a review article.
Leave-in conditioners and hair masks to shop.
“It leaves my hair soft, voluminous and bouncy. Big fan and it’s become a drugstore staple for sure,” says associate editor Kamari
"Where has this hair mask been my entire life? Outside of professional salon visits, I don't think my hair's been this soft or bouncy or frizz-free in a long, long, long time," says deputy managing editor Jess Bender about this Shop TODAY Hair Awards winner. "It also revived my natural waves with minimal effort, like I haven't seen in years."
“The benefit I noticed the most was how soft my hair felt, and how easy it was to brush through after showering, even with just a few spritzes,” says associate editor Lauren Witonsky.
"I love that it doesn't make my hair feel stripped after it removes build-up, etc, which was an issue I had with similar products. My hair doesn't get tangled after, and it feels so much cleaner after use," says editorial assistant Madison San Miguel.
"I enjoyed incorporating this hair mask into my routine. It smells and feels luxurious, and it didn’t weigh down my hair or contribute to oiliness,” says senior editor Francescca Cocchi Zabloudil.
According to the brand, this leave-in conditioner contains UV protection, restores hydration to help detangle and condition your hair and even helps with color fading. One reviewer says she loves using this after the pool, "I washed my hair with a basic clarifying shampoo after my swim, towel dried, and sprayed this in and it instantly made my hair easier to brush through."
With over 1,500 five-star ratings, many of the reviewers wrote that this saved their hair and helped restore their locks from damage.
"Whenever my hair needed a bit of TLC, I would reach for this mask and would notice an improvement immediately," says editor Vivien Moon.
Shower filters to shop
Richards says it's important to keep fresh water on your hair, and a good way to do so is by investing in a shower filter. This bestselling option has over 62,000 Amazon ratings, and reviewers say it's easy to install.
One reviewer wrote that there was a noticeable difference: "Right away I could feel (and smell) the difference, my hair feels softer and there is no stink of chlorine when I'm done showering."
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re wondering if there’s anything that you shouldn’t be using in your hair prior to getting in the water, Richards says you’ll want to avoid any styling products where one of the first ingredients contains alcohol. “Alcohol is going to open your cuticle and make it more porous and susceptible to taking in anything else,” she explains. “You typically want to use stuff that is moisturizing ... so that’s going to keep that cuticle nice and hydrated and closed.”
Callisiti also suggests staying away from products that contain a lot of protein in the ingredients.
If you have blonde hair, Richards says the biggest mistake you can make is to reach for the purple shampoo because it can make your hair even more brassy and metallic-like. In fact, blondes will want to steer clear of toners altogether, she explains.
Instead, Hallajian says to look for ingredients like aloe vera, panthenol, or coconut oil to restore softness and elasticity.
Along with the brittle feeling, Calisiti says that chlorine can change the texture of your hair. "Chlorine leaves a film on your hair that can change the way it feels and behaves. For some people, it makes the hair feel rough or crunchy, which more people would refer to as curly, it can cause frizz or bring out an uneven wave to the hair," she says. "It’s not that chlorine gives you curls, it just changes your hair texture temporarily. Once you clarify and rehydrate your hair, your normal texture usually comes back."
Meet the experts
- Sara Hallajian is an IAT trichologist and the owner of Âme hair salon in Santa Monica, California.
- Tiffanie Richards is a Master Colorist at Louise O’Conner Salon in New York City.
- Angela Calisti is a celebrity hairstylist and owner of Beauty Social in New York City.
How we choose
The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products and sales out there. We use our own personal experiences with products and brands to make shopping easier for our readers.
We selected the best products for hair with chlorine damage based on insights and recommendations from hair stylists and approved picks from Shop TODAY editors and staffers. Other products were sourced through verified shopper reviews.
