Holi is one of India’s most widely observed festivals. There are numerous reasons to enjoy the festival of colours, ranging from playing with gulaal to indulging in sweets and thandai. But, it also taxes your skin and hair to a great degree. The onslaught of colours, the majority of which are chemically infused, long hours in the sun, color-infused water, and the heat can wreak havoc on your skin if not properly prepared for before and after the festival.
But Holi has to be played and your routine needs a few small changes to make sure your skin stays on the right side of happy even with all those organic colours. We give you simple tricks that will help you prep and prepare your skin for the colour onslaught while keeping it safe from irritation and break-outs.
Skincare
Start with clean skin – while Holi colours are known to irritate your skin and cause extreme dryness, you should always double-cleanse first. Slather your face with a good balm that removes grime and makeup, such as the Clinique Take The Day Off Balm, and the paste emulsifies into a beautiful oil, ridding your face of all the dirt and pollution-induced irritation.
Layering your products
Follow the correct path to layering with the thinnest texture first (aka toner) to the thickest, the sunscreen. And that means, toner first that helps with your pores and the extra cleanse and then, moisturiser. At this point, a serum or a spot-cleaning cream are a big no-no. Try to not acid-tone either or exfoliate with physical exfoliators too as they tend to make your skin raw and open the pores thereby. AHA/BHAs or any Salicylic or Lactic-acid laced products can be avoided too. The layering must be simple with a good Cleanse-Tone and Moisturise routine alongside a good sunscreen. “Apply an oil-free moisturising cream on the face before playing with the colour. People with normal or combination skin can apply a waterproof sunscreen on their face along with a drop of baby oil mixed in it. This will act as a barrier and protect the skin,” adds Jamuna Pai.
Sunscreen
The greater the thickness of the sunscreen, the better. To be safe, use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Make sure to use a generous amount of sunscreen. A formula that is waterproof or water-resistant is ideal. We also recommend using a gel-based one so that the colour can easily be removed. You could also carry the sunscreen with you and keep re-applying it every 2-3 hours too. If you’re going to wear foundation, make sure it has SPF in it so it can add another layer to your look.
Facial oils
This is a great time to apply thick facial oils as the last step in the pre-Holi regime. Lighter oils like Marula or Squalene can be avoided, look for thick ones like dry oils, mustard or olive oils that are relatively thicker and add a healthier layer to your skin. Don’t forget to apply the oil on your body and your neck and ears too – sometimes harsh colours can get lodged into the nooks and crannies.
Especially dry skin absorbs the chemical colours and causes irritation so make sure your body and face are well-oiled – add more layers as you go every 20 minutes so you are well-covered. Coconut oil is also a great option if you want something heavier. Acne-prone skin will benefit from almond oil as it keeps your skin hydrated in the process too. All of the oils keep your skin nourished and happy so you can head out without a worry.
Nails
A dark nail polish is preferable to a lighter one because the dark hues protect your nails. Keep your nails short and slather them in a Vitamin E-based nail cream. You could also use anything containing petroleum jelly to keep your hands free of stains and infections. Adding a fresh coat of transparent nail polish on top can help to seal in the dark colour.
Hair care
Hair exposed to colour can become dull, dry and brittle due to the presence of synthetic dyes in the colours. Apply a good amount of oil/conditioner on your hair. Make a small bun of your hair once you are done with oiling. You can cover your hair with a dupatta/bandana which will not just offer protection but add a style quotient too.
Body care
Wear clothing that covers the majority of your body to protect your skin from colour. Apply oil liberally all over your body before being exposed to the colours to create a protective barrier between your skin and the colour. Because almond and coconut oils are thick, you can use them. As a result, the damage will be reduced. To further protect your skin from the damage caused by the colours, apply sunscreen liberally to all exposed areas of your body.
