Question from Lucy
Debra,
I posted an entry here several years ago about minimizing the impact of swimming in chlorinated water. Since then, at my doctors advice I stopped swimming in pools. This winter I just needed the water and the workout and have returned once again to the pool. I Love the exercise and how it energizes me and seems to reduce overall reactivity in my nervous and immune system. But the chlorine…
Currently I slather myself with my usual pure hemp lotion in the morning on days before I swim and then again before i get in the pool. I recently found this lotion on a swim wear site called Kiefer. I was told that it contained “surgical grade silicone” which made a seal. I don’t know which ingredient that is or if surgical grade silicone is safe for people like us. I wonder what you think about it. Am I trading one toxin for another or does it seem worth it for the benefits? Here is the ingredient list
Kiefer Swimscreen Dermal RX Lotion
Ingredients: Deionized Water, UREA USP, Isopropyl Myristate, Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol, Trithanolamine 99% Carbomer, Lactic Acid, PVP (Hexadecene Copolymer), Silk Amino Acid, Sodium Laureth Sulphate, Imidazolidnyl Urea, Methyl Parben, Propyl Paraben, Benzalkonium Chlorine, Tetrasodium EDTA.
CAUTION: Do not apply to the soles of feet – Lotion is slippery when wet!
Debra’s Answer
Well, this is an interesting concept.
My first thought is “makes a seal?????” The skin needs to breath. If this seal keeps water away from the skin, does it also prevent air from penetrating the seal? What about perspiration generated by the body? Can it get out though the seal? I’m just having a hard time visualizing the mechanics of this.
Without going in to analyzing each ingredient, I don’t see an ingredient on the list that I recognize as silicone. PVP is a plastic and it’s got three preservatives, among other petrochemical ingredients.
To answer your question simply, I’m not sure this is better than the chlorine.
