As spring makes its way into India, people across the country look forward to Holi, the festival of colors. It’s a time of merriment, and folks eagerly await their turn to get drenched in colors. While Holi is among the most enjoyable festivals, the colors, chemicals, and sun may cause your skin to dry, redden, and get damaged. The good news? When properly prepared and taken care of, you can end up enjoying the festival without hurting your skin.
Why Holi Can Be Tough on Your Skin.
While playing Holi can be an exhilarating experience, its impact on your skin may leave you worrying for days. The dyes and colors involved in the festival usually contain toxic substances such as lead, mercury, and harsh dyes, which were not intended to go on the skin. These chemicals are also able to enter your skin and cause you to develop a rash, allergies, and dark spots, which may not be easily removed.
When you apply colors to each other during Holi, it may cause tiny scratches on your skin. This makes your skin more vulnerable to harsh chemicals. In addition, most of the time you are outside in the hot sun in the afternoon, and that can result in sunburns, dryness, and damage.
The colors can even disarrange the natural balance of your skin. Most of the artificial colors are far too powerful and would leave your skin dry, irritated, and sensitive. In case you already have issues with your skin, such as eczema, Holi may worsen the situation.
Protecting Your Skin: Making Defense
The secret behind playing Holi without a worry lies in preparing your skin for the challenge ahead. Just imagine it as a coat of armor to cover your skin. At least one day before Holi, you have to prepare your skin.
Use Natural Oils
Natural oils form a protective layer that prevents colors from entering deep into your skin. Coconut oil is a very good option since it is easy to hydrate and shield naturally. Apply a hefty amount of coconut oil on your body, especially on your face, neck, arms, and legs. Do not leave out the places behind your earlobes and your hairline.
In case coconut oil seems too thick, you may substitute it with almond oil, olive oil, or sesame oil. The only thing that matters is to apply the oil all over your skin and leave it to sink in for 15-20 minutes before going out. This will cause your skin to be protected by a thin layer; thus colors are easily removed in the future.
Protect Your Nails and Hair
Apply a clear nail polish or petroleum jelly on your nails in order to prevent any coloration of your nails. With your hair, you may apply coconut oil or olive oil all over. A cap or tying your hair up will also help to keep away colours. When hair is oiled, it becomes much easier to release the colors.
Take Care of Your Lips
Lips are very sensitive, and they may dry out. Apply a thick coating of jelly or lip balm (before playing Holi). Re-application should be attempted every few hours. This prevents any colors that may be inclined to adhere to your lips, hence producing darkness or irritation.
Wear the Right Clothes
Wear full-sleeved clothes made of cotton that cover the largest part of your body. The cotton takes in the colors first and provides you with the added protection. Wear the old clothes since the colors may never emerge.
Guide to Post-Holi Skin Cleaning.
After Holi is finished, there is no need to go ahead and scrub all the colors. Hard scrubbing will do no good to your already deteriorated skin. Wipe yourself off, rather, gently and carefully.
Start with Oil
Apply additional coconut or olive oil on all the coloured parts before the application of water. Massage it on your skin (a few minutes). The colors will be broken off without being hard scrubbed. This is effective since oil dissolves oil, and therefore, it is easy to remove the color.
Use Warm Water
Wet with warm water (warm, not hot or cold) after the oil massage. Hot water causes your pores to open too wide and may cause colors to go deeper into your skin. The oil well will not be lifted off by cold water. Warm water is just right.
Use a Gentle Face Wash
Your skin will now be cleaner than before, and a good face wash will help you clean your skin. Choose one that is left upon the delicate skin. In case of those stubborn colors on your face, a skin-brightening face wash can be applied, which is prepared with natural ingredients and will make your skin fresh once again. Identify products that are made up of vitamins and fruit extracts, are natural, and do not dry your skin.
Use little circles of your fingers to apply the face wash. Never scrub rough, but on the other hand should never use rough brushes right after Holi, your skin is not supposed to be rough. Shower rinse with a lot of water and dry using a soft towel. Oil massage and mild washing must be repeated in case some colors are still left, instead of scrubbing more.
Don't Make These Mistakes
Be careful not to apply severely scented soaps, laundry detergents, and stain removers on your skin, regardless of how stubborn the colors are. These may result in severe irritation, burns, or permanent damage. You should also never apply bleach or lemon juice to your face, as it can be very harmful to your delicate skin.
4 Ways to Hydrate Your Skin: Recovery.
Once all the color is washed off, you must replenish your skin with moisturizer. Holi is very uncomfortable and dry on the skin. It is at this point that re-adding the moisturizer becomes highly essential.
Add Hydration+ Right Away
During the initial one hour following cleaning, apply Hydration+ moisturizing cream, which incorporates deep hydration in your skin. Check the ingredients of your products, such as hyaluronic acid (high concentration of water), aloe vera gel, shea butter, and glycerin. These are fast-acting and long acting hydrators.
It is better to apply your Hydration+ nourishing cream when your skin is slightly damp; in this way, it is easier to keep your skin hydrated. Do not just apply it only to your face; the entire body should be moisturized after Holi.
Continue moisturizing in the next three days.
Continue to add a lot of moisture within a minimum of three days following Holi. This time is necessary for your skin. Apply moisturizer at least two times a day, as well as consider applying a face mask that will aid in the recovery of your skin.
Hydrate yourself by taking plenty of water, at least 8-10 glasses per day. With sufficient water in your body, your skin heals very fast and remains healthy. Consume high-water content foods such as cucumber, watermelon, and oranges.
Protect from the Sun
Your skin is not as stiff as it used to be when you were with Holi, and it can burn. Always use a sunscreen of at least SPF 50 and up, since, even on a cloudy day, you have to use sunscreen. This is to prevent additional destruction as well as to prevent dark spaces that can be left after the application of colors.
Holi is the season to enjoy and not frown over your skin. With proper preparation and after care routine, you would not be afraid of the festival anymore. So enthrall yourself in the spirit of Holi and let the colors brighten up your mood
