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Curls Guide
Chlorine Removal Shampoo by UltraSwim
shampoo
Protein Free
Silicone Free
Vegan
Cruelty Free

UltraSwim

Chlorine Removal Shampoo

"America's best-selling swimmer's shampoo. Budget-friendly chlorine removal with sodium thiosulfate. Contains sulfates so not CGM-friendly, but highly effective and widely available."

Best for:
Budget-conscious swimmers US-based swimmers Those not following CGM strictly Casual swimmers who want effective chlorine removal
Avoid if:
Following strict CGM (contains sulfates) UK/EU based (limited availability) Very dry or damaged hair (sulfates may strip further)

Hair Compatibility

Curl Pattern

2A 2B 2C 3A 3B 3C 4A 4B 4C

Strand Thickness

fine
medium
coarse

Porosity

low
medium
high

Performance

Definition 2/5
Hold 1/5
Shine 3/5
Crunch Potential 1/5
Buildup Risk 1/5
Hold Level
No Hold
Weight
Very Light
Finish
Soft, No Cast
Buildup Risk
Low

What's Inside

Sodium Thiosulfate

Neutralises chlorine through chemical reaction

Disodium EDTA

Chelates copper and prevents green hair

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice

Soothes and moisturises

Tocopheryl Acetate

Vitamin E protects and conditions

✓ Protein Free
✓ Silicone Free
View Full Ingredients List

Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Urea, Polysorbate 20, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Sodium Thiosulfate, Coco-Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycerin, Polyquaternium-10, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxyacetophenone, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance, Ext. Violet 2

Analyze these ingredients with our Ingredient Checker tool.

How to Use

Best as: Cleanser

Pairs Well With

SheaMoisture

Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Masque

deep conditioner

Curlsmith

Double Cream Deep Quencher

deep conditioner

Alternatives to Consider

Malibu C

Swimmers Wellness Shampoo

Sulfate-free premium alternative

Noughty

Detox Dynamo Clarifying Shampoo

CGM-friendly clarifying option

Overview

UltraSwim Chlorine Removal Shampoo is America’s most popular swimmer’s shampoo. Using sodium thiosulfate—a proven chlorine neutraliser—it effectively removes chlorine and its odour whilst Disodium EDTA chelates the copper that causes green-tinted hair.

Key Ingredients Breakdown

  • Sodium Thiosulfate - The active chlorine neutraliser. This ingredient chemically reacts with chlorine to deactivate it and allow easy rinsing.
  • Disodium EDTA - Chelating agent that binds to copper and other oxidised metals, preventing the green tint swimmers dread.
  • Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice - Soothes the scalp and adds moisture back to chlorine-dried hair.
  • Tocopheryl Acetate - Vitamin E derivative that protects and conditions.

What We Love

  1. Budget-friendly - Costs a fraction of premium swimmer’s shampoos
  2. Widely available - Stocked at major US retailers
  3. Effective chlorine removal - Sodium thiosulfate genuinely works
  4. Prevents green hair - Chelates copper effectively
  5. Protein-free - Safe for protein-sensitive hair

What Could Be Better

  1. Contains sulfates - Not CGM-friendly
  2. US-only availability - Difficult to find in UK/EU
  3. Can be drying - Sulfates may strip already-damaged hair
  4. Basic formula - Lacks the conditioning benefits of premium options

How to Use

After Swimming

  1. Rinse hair with fresh water immediately after exiting pool
  2. Apply shampoo to wet hair
  3. Massage thoroughly, focusing on areas most exposed to pool water
  4. Rinse completely
  5. Follow with a moisturising conditioner—essential after using this product

For Best Results

Use after every swim session. The sulfates make follow-up conditioning non-negotiable, especially for curly hair.

The Verdict

As a budget swimmer’s shampoo, UltraSwim Chlorine Removal Shampoo is hard to beat on value. It’s not CGM-friendly due to the sulfates, but for US-based swimmers who prioritise effective chlorine removal at a low price, it’s the obvious choice. Just be sure to deep condition afterward.

Our Rating: 3.5/5