Skin care essentials for Holi

Mumbai: The festival of colours is just around the corner and among the dry gulal and buckets of water; there could be traces of synthetic pigments which could potentially harm your skin. Even if you’re using organic colours, you’re still spending hours under the sun and doused in water.

Here are some few tips and tricks that will cause less damage to your skin and hair.

Sunblock: Slather your skin with a sunscreen that offers a SPF 25+ or above as it will protect your skin against the harsh rays of the sun and moisturise it. Since your skin is exposed to colours, dust and heat, it is imperative to protect your skin against these elements. Massage it well into your face, neck and any other area of your body that is exposed.

Coconut Oil: Use coconut oil as a barrier for colours. The oil hydrates your skin which subsequently absorbs less. Also apply oil on your hair to protect them from harsh chemicals. It will also be easier to take off the colours if your skin and hair has a protective layer. You can also apply a combination of coconut oil and castor oil to keep your skin moisturised.

Lip Balm: Colour can settle into the cracks of your lips quite easily since this area is exposed and vulnerable to all the elements. Exfoliate your lips and use 4-5 coats of a good quality lip balm and keep your lips smooth and moisturised.

Hand Cream: One of the most forgotten parts of Holi skincare considering we use our hands the most. Your nails will tend to absorb the colour quicker and it is impossible to get rid of it. To avoid your nails from retaining the colour and protecting your cuticles from damage, apply a thick layer of hand cream. Keep your nails trimmed short and avoid getting acrylic or gel nails done before Holi.

Shampoo: It is impossible to shield your tresses completely against the damage, but you can avoid the worsening of your hair by opting for a moisture lock shampoo that is mild and has gentle conditioning properties. Don’t wash your hair a number of times; instead space out the hair washes to avoid depleting the natural oils in your scalp and drying them out completely.

Face Scrub: To avoid the build-up of dead skin and clogged pores, use a face scrub one day after the festivities. Gentle apply it in a circular motion on your face and you can use it on the exposed areas of your body as well. Wash it off with lukewarm water and follow it up with moisturizer to prevent any dryness.

Face Mask: This is a part of your Holi after care regime, since your skin has been exposed to a plethora of chemicals and elements during Holi, you can use a herbal face pack to soothe your skin. Massage it gently onto your skin and let it stay for 10-15 minutes.

The mask will provide relief to your skin, help to restore the lost moisture and act as a gentle cleanser. After 1-2 applications, you will feel your skin coming back to normal. 

*Disclaimer: This article has been contributed by Sobiya Moghul, Content Lead - Amazon Beauty. The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of Deccan Chronicle, and Deccan Chronicle does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.