Is Your Skin Holi-Ready? Pre And Post Holi Skincare Tips

Festival of color is just a few days away and, while we are still fighting the pandemic, the excitement of expressing our love with colors is unavoidable. So, this year, we are all going to celebrate Holi within the given guidelines. However, before you begin with the celebrations, you need to take a few steps to ensure that the harmful chemicals of Holi do not affect your skin. Even if you use organic colors, you need to protect your skin from getting damaged from the heat of the Sun.

What precautions should you take before stepping out to play Holi? How can you protect your skin from harmful colors?

Here are nine skin prep tips that will help you play Holi in a safe yet fun way:

• Apply Sunscreen Or Moisturiser

Before you step into the heat to enjoy Holi, do not forget to shield your skin with sunscreen oil or moisturizer. Wash your face and apply SPF 50; before stepping out in the heat, dust, and colors.

• Olive Oil Protection

To keep your skin hydrated and protected, apply a mixture of olive oil and jojoba oil on your skin and hair; one night before the festival. This will also ensure that the colors get easily washed out of your body after the celebration.

• Cover Up

The best you could do to protect your skin from the heat and colors is – wear clothes that cover the maximum part of your body. A full-sleeve shirt with pajamas could be a good option. Also, pick dark color clothes to ensure that the colors do not reach your skin easily.

• Wear Cotton

You need to dress comfortably to celebrate Holi without feeling sticky or awkward, therefore wear only cotton clothes. Cotton is a breathable fabric, and it is ideal for a festival like Holi. Avoid synthetic fibre and tight clothes; Afterall playing Holi is a messy affair. A pair of white kurta and leggings can make you look just perfectly dressed for the occasion.

• Chip And Paint Your Nails

Those scattered colors on your nails after Holi can look ugly. Additionally, these colors enter our digestive system through the food we consume after Holi. A lot of people have a Holi party where they eat snacks while playing Holi. These colors could be harmful to your stomach, thus save your nails with double coated nail polish, chip your nails so that they do not break and cause pain during the celebration. Before you step out, rub some olive oil on your nails as well; this will give them additional protection.

• Keep Drinking Liquids

Playing Holi in this heat can lead to dehydration. If you do not wish to fall sick after the festival, keep drinking juices, glucose, and water at intervals. This will keep you hydrated and will help retain the charm of your face and skin.

Post Holi Care

Once your return from the Holi festival, it’s time to give your skin some tender love and care. To remove the colors, first, wash your face with the cleaner and some cold water. Do not use warm water, as it is difficult to remove the colors with heat. Now dip a cotton ball in coconut oil and apply it on your skin, let it sit on your skin for 10 minutes, now go and take a bath. After coming out of the bath, apply moisturizer and get some sleep.

• Avoid Makeup For Two Days

Your skin has already undergone a lot of damage due to the colors and heat. Avoid makeup until the color is completely off your skin. The chemicals in color, when mixed with makeup, can cause skin allergies. Sunscreen, moisturizer, or face oil are best suited after Holi.

I remember my childhood days when we were sent to play Holi after applying loads of mustard oil. As kids, we felt irritated with these rituals, but we understood the importance of pre and post-Holi skincare as we grew. As you get ready to be exposed to colors, heat, dust, and water, here are few tips that will keep your skin and hair protected.

CTM Is All You Need

Avoid taking salon treatment right after playing Holi. Your skin is not ready for these extensive products. Cleanse, tone, and moisturize your skin daily. You can use a scrubber to remove dead skin, but do not be too hard on your skin.

The Bottom Line:

Festivals bring joy and happiness to our lives. It is a way to build new bonds and cherish the old. Unlike other festivals, where we dress up, this festival allows us to be just ‘US’; all fun, no glamour. While we take care of the pichakaree’s, colors, sweets, and Thanda, let’s not forget to take care of our skin before & after playing Holi. After Holi, bad skin can be depressing; a little care can keep your skin happy and smiling even after the shower of colors. We hope you will enjoy this festival by first loving yourself and giving it the love and care it deserves. Most importantly, do not forget that the Covid-19 virus is still in our environment, play wisely. We wish you and your family – Happy Holi.

“Have a safe and happy Holi.”