Swimming - Sensitive skin

[Grog]

I don't like to swim so much, but the sun is out, the outdoor pool is open at the university, and I need to work on these tan lines (I still have those from last year!!! ). So I kicked myself and went swimming after a two-month break. (I haven't been swimming since the March triathlon or so...)

After the swim, I spent a good 10 minutes basking in the warm sun on the patch of grass by the pool... aaah! I want to go swimming again now.

But, that's not the topic.

When I came home I remembered one of the reasons why I hate swimming: the skin of my face becomes even redder (I have a mild case of rosacea) and starts flaking off after half an hour in the pool. I can't even imagine what will happen when I start swimming for longer. What is a girl with sensitive skin to do???

I currently use a very high quality hydrating cream twice daily, three times if I'm swimming, but obviously it's not enough and I am not sure what else I can do. When I cycle in the winter and I know my nose will be running like crazy I put some sort of very heavy cream or vaseline on my most sensitive spots to prevent the rubbing of my gloves to cause too much damage, but what can I do when I swim???

[Bella]

I would go see a dermatologist and ask for their professional advice. Chlorine is extremely drying to your skin, but then again, so is basking in the sun.

I immediately thought that Vasoline would lock in moisture, but it seems you are already doing this. Any chance you can do fresh water swimming instead?