Pool days and colour contacts can absolutely go together, but there’s one big rule to know before you head outside: eye lenses and water do not mix.
Whether you’re lounging at a resort, getting ready for a beach club day, packing for vacation, or planning a full poolside glam look, your lenses need a little extra care around water, sunscreen, sweat, and heat. Eye lenses sit directly on your eyes, so anything that gets trapped between the lens and your eye can lead to irritation, discomfort, or more serious eye health concerns.
The solid news? You do not have to skip your favourite EyeLensy colour contacts just since you’re spending the day near the pool. You just need to know when to wear them, when to take them out, and how to keep them rinse and comfy.
Can You Wear Contacts by the Pool?
Yes, you can wear eye lenses by the pool, but you should not swim, shower, or go in a hot tub while putting on them.
The CDC is incredibly clear that eye lenses and water are a bad combination, including water from swimming pools, showers, and hot tubs. If water touches your eye lenses, the CDC recommends taking them out as soon as possible, then either throwing them away or rinsing and disinfecting them overnight before putting on them again. (CDC)
That means lounging poolside, taking photos, reading under an umbrella, or enjoying a resort day in your colour contacts can be fine as long as your lenses stay out of the water. The issue is not being near the pool. The issue is water getting into your eyes while your lenses are in.
Why You Should Not Swim in Eye lenses
It can be tempting to keep your contacts in when you’re swimming, especially if you need vision correction or want your colour contacts to full your look. But swimming in contacts can increase your risk of eye infection since water can contain bacteria, microorganisms, and other irritants that may become trapped against the eye by the lens.
The FDA advises taking out eye lenses before swimming and warns that bacteria in swimming pools, hot tubs, lakes, and oceans can increase the risk of eye infection. The FDA additionally advises against exposing eye lenses to any type of water, including tap, bottled, distilled, lake, or ocean water. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)
This applies to all kinds of water, including:
- Swimming pools
- Hot tubs
- Lakes
- Rivers
- Oceans
- Showers
- Splash pads
Even chlorinated pool water is not contact-lens-safe. Chlorine helps treat pool water, but it does not make it sterile, and it does not take out every possible risk for eye lens wearers.
What If You’re Just Lounging Poolside?
If you’re not getting in the water, putting on contacts by the pool is more about comfort and cleanliness.
Poolside environments can still be drying or irritating since of sun, wind, heat, sunscreen, sweat, and chlorine in the air. If your eyes tend to grab dry, you may notice your lenses feel less comfy after a few hours outside.
To make your lenses more comfy poolside, start with rinse hands before placing in them. Apply your lenses before sunscreen, makeup, or hair products so you are not transferring oils or residue onto the lens. Once your lenses are in, try not to touch your eyes unless you can wash and dry your hands first.
Sunglasses can additionally make a big difference. They help shield your eyes from sun, wind, and splashes, while additionally making your poolside look feel more put together.
Should You Wear Colour Contacts for Pool Photos?
Yes, colour contacts can be gorgeous for poolside photos, vacation content, resort outfits, and summer makeup looks. They can add softness, contrast, or drama to your overall vibe, especially when paired with bronzy makeup, glossy lips, sleek hair, or a bright swimsuit.
For pool photos, the safest approach is to treat your lenses like part of your beauty look, not your swim gear.
Wear them for:
- Poolside lounging
- Resort photos
- Vacation dinners
- Beach club outfits
- Summer makeup looks
- Content shoots near the pool
Steer clear of putting on them for:
- Swimming underwater
- Jumping into the pool
- Hot tubs
- Water slides
- Ocean swimming
- Showering after the pool
If you know you’ll be swimming, consider taking your photos first, then taking out your lenses before getting in the water.
Can You Wear Contacts Under Swim Goggles?
The safest choice is still to take out your contacts before swimming. That said, if eye lens wear while swimming truly cannot be avoided, the American Optometric Association notes that tight-fitting goggles are strongly recommended to help steer clear of water exposure. (American Osteopathic Association)
That said, goggles are not a ideal guarantee. Water can still leak in, especially during active swimming, diving, water slides, or rougher water. If you need vision correction while swimming, prescription swim goggles may be a better option to discuss with your eye care professional.
For colour contacts, it is finest to save them for before or after swimming rather than putting on them in the water.
What Should You Do If Pool Water Gets in Your Eyes While Putting on Contacts?
If pool water gets in your eyes while you’re putting on contacts, wash and dry your hands, then take out your lenses as soon as possible.
If you are putting on daily disposable lenses, throw them away and use a fresh pair later if your eyes feel normal.
If you are putting on reusable lenses, rinse and disinfect them correctly with fresh eye lens solution before putting on them again. Do not rinse them with tap water, bottled water, pool water, or saliva. The CDC recommends either throwing lenses away or rinsing and disinfecting them overnight if water touches them. (CDC)
If your eyes feel irritated, red, painful, or sensitive to light, do not put the lenses back in. Give your eyes a break and contact an eye care professional if symptoms continue.
Poolside Makeup and Contacts: What to Know
Poolside makeup is often lighter than full glam, but it can still affect your contacts. Sunscreen, setting spray, mascara, eyeliner, shimmer, and facial oils can all transfer to your lenses if you touch your eyes.
The finest order is:
Put in your contacts first with rinse, dry hands
Apply skincare and sunscreen carefully
Apply makeup after your lenses are in
Steer clear of placing heavy liner or glitter too close to the waterline
Take out your contacts before taking out makeup later
Sunscreen is one of the biggest things to watch. Mineral and chemical sunscreens can both sting if they migrate into the eyes, and oily sunscreen residue can make lenses uncomfortable if it gets on your hands before insertion. Put your contacts in before applying SPF, then wash your hands again if you need to adjust your lenses later.
If you’re doing a more styled poolside look, pick products that stay in place. Waterproof mascara may help steer clear of smudging, but remember that waterproof makeup often requires stronger removers, so at all times take out your lenses before cleansing.
How to Keep Contacts Comfy on Hot Days
Heat, sun, and dry air can make contacts feel less comfy, especially if you’re outside for hours. Pool areas can additionally be windy or bright, which may make your eyes water or feel dry.
To help keep your lenses comfy:
Wear sunglasses for sun and wind protection
Stay hydrated throughout the day
Use contact-lens-safe rewetting drops if your eye care provider recommends them
- Steer clear of rubbing your eyes
- Take breaks from lenses during long outdoor days
- Bring backup glasses if you wear prescription lenses
Pack a rinse lens case and fresh eye lens solution for reusable lenses
Do not transfer solution into random travel containers. Use a correctly sealed travel-size eye lens solution bottle, and at no point reuse old solution from your lens case.
Are Daily Contacts Better for Pool Days?
Daily disposable contacts can be convenient for travel, pool days, and events since you throw them away after one use. That said, daily lenses still should not be worn in the water.
Think of dailies as easier for cleanup, not as permission to swim in contacts.
If a daily lens is exposed to pool water, take out it and throw it away. Do not try to rinse it and wear it again. If your eyes feel fine later and you have a fresh pair, you may be able to place in new lenses with rinse, dry hands once you are completely done swimming.
For reusable colour contacts, you need to be especially careful since proper rinsing and storage matter. If water touches them, disinfect them overnight with fresh solution before considering putting on them again.
What About Hot Tubs?
Hot tubs are a definite no for eye lenses.
Warm water can create an environment where microorganisms thrive, and hot tubs can expose your lenses to water, steam, chemicals, and bacteria. The American Academy of Ophthalmology warns that putting on contacts in any type of water, including pools, hot tubs, oceans, and lakes, increases the risk of infection. (American Academy of Ophthalmology)
If your pool day includes a hot tub, take out your contacts first.
Poolside Eye lens Packing List
A little planning can save your eyes from plenty of discomfort. If you’re heading to the pool, beach club, resort, cruise, or vacation rental, pack a small eye lens kit.
Bring:
- A rinse eye lens case
- Fresh eye lens solution
- Backup glasses
- Contact-lens-safe rewetting drops
A fresh pair of lenses if you wear dailies
Sunglasses
A small hand towel or lint-free towel
Hand sanitizer for emergencies, though washing with soap and water is still finest before handling lenses
If you’re putting on EyeLensy colour contacts for photos, it may help to schedule your look around your day. Put on your lenses while getting ready, taking photos, or relaxing by the pool, then take out them before swimming.
Signs You Should Take Your Contacts Out
Do not ignore discomfort just since you’re on vacation or in the middle of a pool day. Take your lenses out if your eyes start to feel wrong.
Take out your contacts if you notice:
- Redness
- Burning
- Stinging
- Pain
- Blurred vision
- Excessive watering
- Light sensitivity
- A gritty or scratchy feeling
The feeling that something is stuck under your lens
If symptoms continue after taking out your lenses, skip contacts for the rest of the day and check with an eye care professional.
Final Thoughts: Keep the Look, Skip the Swim
Poolside contacts can be part of a gorgeous summer look, but they should stay poolside, not in the pool.
You can absolutely wear colour contacts for vacation outfits, resort glam, poolside photos, and summer beauty moments. Just remember the golden rule: keep eye lenses away from water. Put them in with rinse, dry hands, wear them while you’re lounging or taking photos, and take out them before swimming, showering, or using a hot tub.
EyeLensy colour contacts are made to help you express your vibe, from soft everyday shades to bold vacation-ready looks. Pair them with your favourite sunglasses, glowy makeup, and summer outfit, but give your eyes the care they deserve before you dive in.
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