Pool days and colour contacts can absolutely go together, but there’s one big rule to know before you head outside: contact 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. Contact 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 good news? You do not have to skip your favourite EyeCandys colour contacts just because 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 clean and comfortable.

Can You Wear Contacts by the Pool?

Yes, you can wear contact lenses by the pool, but you should not swim, shower, or go in a hot tub while wearing them.

The CDC is very clear that contact lenses and water are a bad combination, including water from swimming pools, showers, and hot tubs. If water touches your contact lenses, the CDC recommends taking them out as soon as possible, then either throwing them away or cleaning and disinfecting them overnight before wearing 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 Contact 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 complete your look. But swimming in contacts can increase your risk of eye infection because water can contain bacteria, microorganisms, and other irritants that may become trapped against the eye by the lens.

The FDA advises removing contact lenses before swimming and warns that bacteria in swimming pools, hot tubs, lakes, and oceans can increase the risk of eye infection. The FDA also advises against exposing contact 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:

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 remove every possible risk for contact lens wearers.

What If You’re Just Lounging Poolside?

If you’re not getting in the water, wearing contacts by the pool is more about comfort and cleanliness.

Poolside environments can still be drying or irritating because of sun, wind, heat, sunscreen, sweat, and chlorine in the air. If your eyes tend to get dry, you may notice your lenses feel less comfortable after a few hours outside.

To make your lenses more comfortable poolside, start with clean hands before inserting 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 also make a big difference. They help shield your eyes from sun, wind, and splashes, while also making your poolside look feel more put together.

Should You Wear Colour Contacts for Pool Photos?

Yes, colour contacts can be beautiful for poolside photos, vacation content, resort outfits, and summer makeup looks. They can add softness, contrast, or drama to your overall style, 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:

Avoid wearing them for:

If you know you’ll be swimming, consider taking your photos first, then removing your lenses before getting in the water.

Can You Wear Contacts Under Swim Goggles?

The safest choice is still to remove your contacts before swimming. However, if contact lens wear while swimming truly cannot be avoided, the American Optometric Association notes that tight-fitting goggles are strongly recommended to help prevent water exposure. (American Osteopathic Association)

That said, goggles are not a perfect 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 best to save them for before or after swimming rather than wearing them in the water.

What Should You Do If Pool Water Gets in Your Eyes While Wearing Contacts?

If pool water gets in your eyes while you’re wearing contacts, wash and dry your hands, then remove your lenses as soon as possible.

If you are wearing daily disposable lenses, throw them away and use a fresh pair later if your eyes feel normal.

If you are wearing reusable lenses, clean and disinfect them properly with fresh contact lens solution before wearing them again. Do not rinse them with tap water, bottled water, pool water, or saliva. The CDC recommends either throwing lenses away or cleaning 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 best order is:

Put in your contacts first with clean, dry hands

Apply skincare and sunscreen carefully

Apply makeup after your lenses are in

Avoid placing heavy liner or glitter too close to the waterline

Remove your contacts before removing 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, choose products that stay in place. Waterproof mascara may help prevent smudging, but remember that waterproof makeup often requires stronger removers, so always remove your lenses before cleansing.

How to Keep Contacts Comfortable on Hot Days

Heat, sun, and dry air can make contacts feel less comfortable, especially if you’re outside for hours. Pool areas can also be windy or bright, which may make your eyes water or feel dry.

To help keep your lenses comfortable:

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

Pack a clean lens case and fresh contact lens solution for reusable lenses

Do not transfer solution into random travel containers. Use a properly sealed travel-size contact lens solution bottle, and never 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 because you throw them away after one use. However, 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, remove 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 insert new lenses with clean, dry hands once you are completely done swimming.

For reusable colour contacts, you need to be especially careful because proper cleaning and storage matter. If water touches them, disinfect them overnight with fresh solution before considering wearing them again.

What About Hot Tubs?

Hot tubs are a definite no for contact 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 wearing 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, remove your contacts first.

Poolside Contact Lens Packing List

A little planning can save your eyes from a lot of discomfort. If you’re heading to the pool, beach club, resort, cruise, or vacation rental, pack a small contact lens kit.

Bring:

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 best before handling lenses

If you’re wearing EyeCandys colour contacts for photos, it may help to schedule your look around your day. Wear your lenses while getting ready, taking photos, or relaxing by the pool, then remove them before swimming.

Signs You Should Take Your Contacts Out

Do not ignore discomfort just because you’re on vacation or in the middle of a pool day. Take your lenses out if your eyes start to feel wrong.

Remove your contacts if you notice:

The feeling that something is stuck under your lens

If symptoms continue after removing 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 beautiful 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 contact lenses away from water. Put them in with clean, dry hands, wear them while you’re lounging or taking photos, and remove them before swimming, showering, or using a hot tub.

EyeCandys colour contacts are made to help you express your style, 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.