We Indians are festival lovers, and we celebrate all the festivals with great fun and enthusiasm. Holi is such a great festival of colors. In many parts of India it is a weeklong festival especially in North India. In Indian movies also it has its own important place. The history of holi is connected to our mythology and lord Krishna.
We also need to ensure that we don’t let Holi celebrations take a toll on our skin. Holi is celebrated by applying colours and application of various colours can damage our skin and leave it flaky and dry.
To get you started on it, here are some tips which will help you to keep your skin glowing and healthy before and after holi.
Pre Holi Skin Care
One of the most crucial things during the Holi celebration is to prep the skin to handle the harsh effect of colors and water. This is to reduce the skin damage.
Hydrate the Skin, body and your self
Before you go out to play this year, ensure your skin is well hydrated with a good moisturizer, and top it off with a waterproof sunscreen which will help prevent skin damage from heat, the sun and colours. Remember to apply sunscreen 30 minutes before stepping out of the house for maximum protection.
With skin, it is also important that you cover your nails with oil to prevent stain and damage. While you take care of skin, do not forget the fact that your body also needs hydration. Before going to play with colours, generously apply moisturizer or body lotion on all body and also apply sunscreen lotion. To protect your lips from the harmful chemicals and colours, apply petroleum jelly instead of lipstick.
When you carry water guns and balloons to splash on friends and family, keep a water bottle to hydrate yourself well as you are mostly outdoors and under the sun so, keeping yourself hydrated is necessary.
Abhyanga/Oiling
Abhyanga is Ayurvedic terms which mean oil massage. Oil creates a greasy protective layer on hair and skin. This layer acts as a barrier stopping colours from settling into follicles of hair and our skin. An oil-based layer helps the colour wash out easily post the celebrations. Choose from oils like coconut, olive, almond and others depending on your skin type. These oils not only protect but also nourish and hydrate your skin
Ice Cube therapy
Rubbing ice cubes on your face before going out to play Holi works wonders in closing the pores of your skin. Rub ice cubes on a clean face for about 10-15 minutes, and you can ensure that the harmful colors can’t penetrate your skin and cause outbursts.
Post Holi Skin care
Post Holi care is also important to treat damaged skin due to colours, excessive water activities and sun exposure.
Cleanse
It is essential to cleanse your hair and body thoroughly, ensuring you rid yourself of colours to avoid acne, rashes and allergies post the Holi celebrations. But avoid soaps and face washes as in the market these days are laced with chemicals and can rip off the alkaline nature of your skin. You can instead opt for organic skin cleansing products. Also, stay away from scrubbing your skin just after Holi as scrubbing can be harsh for your skin.
Instead of store-bought one, you can use natural items on your skin by just doing-it-yourself at home with natural ingredients. You can use oil to take off all colours such as coconut oil, olive oil or castor oil.
Natural glycerin is gentle on skin and helps soothe inflammation and redness. Use a natural hair serum concocted by mixing base and essential oils like lavender or bergamot to relax your hair strands and reduce frizz.
Mask
Use a natural face mask like ubtan rather than chemical one. Use besan, turmeric, lemon, curd, rice flour, oat flour to make a mask. Ubtans help reduce acne, remove blackheads and balance your skin’s Ph level.
Holi Dos and Don’ts – Skincare Tips
- Avoid skin exfoliation 48-72 hours before and after Holi.
- Avoid an immediate shower after getting back home.
- No hot water for shower post Holi.
- Treat dry and damaged skin due to excess UV exposure.
- Avoid chemical colours and use organic & natural colours.
- Use oil but if you want to use moisturizer and face serums then use a good quality one.
These are simple but when you follow these skin care routines properly, your skin will be problem free during Holi and you will have amazing skin with natural glow.
