It’s finally the time to shout Holi hai! The festival of colours and joy is at our doorstep. It is one of the most vibrant and cheerful festivals celebrated in India, which gives a tough fight to Tomatina of Spain. Along with hilarious holi pranks, mouth-watering sweets, it also brings an invitation to rash-a-ville and acne-dom.
Gone are the days when holi colours were made from flowers. In today’s time these colours are drenched in chemicals and synthetics, which can cause havoc to your skin and hair. It is highly unlikely to avoid contact with these colours if you are a true holi enthusiast. So save yourself a trip to the dermatologist with these pre & after holi-proof tips for your skin and hair.
Pre-Holi Care Tips
- Shield your skin
To protect your skin from unwanted skin damage due to the chemicals in colours, it is recommended to apply a waterproof and sweat-resistant sunscreen. Using a high SPF based sunscreen will shield your skin from the harsh UV rays. So slather on some sunscreen at least 20 to 30 minutes before stepping outside. You can also rub an ice cube on your skin before applying sunscreen. This will close your pores, which won’t allow the colours to penetrate into your skin.
- Truck loads of oil
Moisturization is an essential step for your skin and hair, especially when you are likely to come in contact with harmful colours. Hence, don’t forget to slather your skin and hair with oil. Mix thick consistency oil like castor oil with coconut or mustard oil in a bowl and massage it well. The thickness of the oil will work as a barrier for your skin and won’t let the colours invade or cause any harm.
- Under-Eye protection
The colours used in holi can cause severe damage not just to your eyes but also the under-eye area. Take a tiny blob of your under-eye cream and apply it all around your under-eye area to avoid any skin infections or irritation due to holi colour. You can also wear a pair of glasses for extra protection.
- Layer yourself up
Yes we know Deepika Padukone flaunted her open wavy tresses and long legs in Balam Pichkari and you might wish to do so too. However, holi colours can make your skin and hair turn extremely dry. If you don’t want to spend time scrubbing off the colour from your skin and hair, then cover yourself as much as possible. Opt for full sleeved clothing and wear your hair in a bun or cover it up with a bandana. It sure is a bummer but following these measures will minimize the risk of catching any skin or hair problems.
- Increased fluid intake
By hydration, we don’t mean that you should drink thandai or sodas but just plain water. If your skin is dehydrated, then it leads to dryness, sensitive skin and getting sunburned. Hence, don’t forget to keep yourself hydrated by chugging down a glass of water often.
Post Holi Care Tips
- Cleanse the day off
As soon as you get back home after playing holi, the first thing you should do is to wash your face with a gentle cleanser. The colour might not go after a single wash, but avoid using hot or lukewarm water and wash with only cold water. The reason behind this is that cold water will close your skin pores, whereas lukewarm or hot water may irritate it.
- Exfoliate your skin
Exfoliating your skin will not only help you get rid of the stubborn colour marks, but will also deeply cleanse your skin and remove dead skin cells. Ubtan is one such natural exfoliator that will be your skin savior. All you have to do is, add raw milk or water and gram flour (Besan) in a bowl and blend it into a thick paste. Apply this all over your skin and allow it to dry. Gently scrub off the paste and wash it away with cold water. Don’t exfoliate too harsh, since it can make your skin irritated and blotchy.
- Moisturize those tresses
First and foremost, try to dust of as much colour as you can while your hair is still dry. After this thoroughly rinse your hair with cold water. Use a mild silicone-sulphate free shampoo which will help you to get rid of the dirt, dry colours and any chemicals. Follow this with a damage repair conditioner which would repair your tresses and provide them nourishment.
- Restore skin hydration
Moisturizing your skin is the key to restore the hydration that the chemicals rob it off. Once your skin is all cleared up, hydrate it with a non-comedogenic moisturizer. Look for ingredients like Ceramide, Hyaluronic Acid (HA), Mango Seed Butter etc. It will revitalize your skin, while providing relief from any itching and inflammation that you might be experiencing.
- Say no to makeup
Since your skin was exposed to heat and chemicals all day long, it is only wise to avoid application of makeup for at least 2-3 days. This will allow your skin to breathe after all the damage it has gone through. Also, don’t forget to provide your skin with the nourishment it requires by using a non-comedogenic moisturizer.
Prepping your skin and hair for Holi might seem like a tedious task, but it doesn’t change the fact that you don’t have to do it to safeguard your skin & hair. Don’t let chemicals affect their health; nor allow the fear of getting skin rashes or spotty scalps bring down your festive spirit. Simply follow these easy to follow skin and hair care tips, put on your favourite holi playlist, grab some colors and revel in holi madness without any worries.
