Here's how you can protect your skin and hair this Holi

As we prepare to let loose this Holi, the obvious question nags us again: how do we ensure our skin and hair remain undamaged? We already know the importance of sunscreen when it comes to protecting ourselves. However, with all the chemically formulated colours that we smear on each other, sunscreen is not nearly enough. The fine particles clog your pores, leading to breakouts as well as causing your hair to feel like hay. Add to this buckets of water and the scorching March heat and you have yourself a full-blown beauty nightmare.  

Now before you cancel all your plans, you should scroll further. We’ve listed down a few simple pre- and post-Holi tips that you can follow to ensure your skin and hair aren’t suffering during the festivities. 

Pre-Holi 

Apply face, body, and hair oil   

In Indian households, oils enjoy a rather exalted status when it comes to beauty routines. And before we step out to play Holi, dousing ourselves in oil is sort of a tradition in itself. And for good reason. Not only does it keep your skin and hair hydrated but it also acts like occlusives by forming a barrier between you and the harsh colours that are being slathered onto you. 

For your face, you could use the Beauty by BiE Halo Uplifting & Soothing Face Oil (₹3,799); for your body, try the Aminu Vit C Body Oil (₹1,350); and for your hair, the Juicy Chemistry Marula, Argan, and Lavender Organic Hair Oil (₹520), which will leave your tresses healthy, happy, and protected.   

Use lots and lots of sunscreen    

You will be spending most of your day running around outdoors, so drench yourself in sunscreen before you leave the house—both, on your face and body. Choose one with a higher SPF than your everyday protectant and remember that since re-application might not be feasible, pick a sunscreen that will not wash off easily. A lightweight but power-packed formula like The Derma Co 1% Hyaluronic Sunscreen Aqua Gel (₹399) or the D’you Unkissed (₹2,200) can help keep sun damage at bay!

Avoid shampooing   

Holi is one of those rare occasions that require you to give in to your hair wash laziness and flaunt your greasy hair. Actually, the greasier, the better because this will prevent the chemicals, from the colours, from settling on your scalp. So, let your hair’s natural oils do their job by refraining from washing your hair at least a day or two before Holi. 

Use a nourishing lip balm   

While we often forget to protect and nourish our lips, we can’t afford to overlook this step on Holi considering the colours we play with are capable of stripping our lips of all their moisture, leaving them painfully chapped and cracked. So, before you step out, put on a nourishing lip balm that will keep your lips hydrated for a while. Try the Indē Wild Dewy Lip Treatment (₹799) or the L'Occitane Shea Ultra Rich Lip Balm (₹1,100) to protect your pout! 

Post Holi 

Double cleanse and moisturise 

The first thing you need to do after playing Holi is double cleansing and you might need something a tad stronger than your regular cleansers. Opt for an oil-based cleanser that is designed to tackle stubborn makeup, like the Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Cleansing Oil (₹1,814) or the COSRX Pure Fit Cica Clear Cleansing Oil (₹1,755). This will break all the colour and other impurities down making it easier to get it all out. Once you’ve rinsed it out, go in with a gentle cleanser like the Minimalist Oat Extract 6% (₹289) to ensure your pores are squeaky clean. Once you’ve double-cleansed your face and showered, it’s time to go in with a moisturiser. Don’t skimp on this step and your face and body need some TLC after being subjected to all those Holi colours. 

The thing to keep in mind is to not rub, scrub, and tug. If some colour is not coming off, do not apply excessive force for it will do more harm than good. Just let it be and it will come off soon enough.  

Use a clarifying shampoo  

As their name suggests, clarifying shampoos remove all product buildup, oil, and other impurities (in this case, colour and chemicals) from the hair and scalp effortlessly. Formulas like the Kérastase Specifique Bain Divalent Shampoo (₹2,650) and Redken Amino Mint Shampoo For Sensitive & Oily Scalp (₹1,800) will save you the hand workout it usually takes to get all the Holi fun out of your hair! 

Avoid exfoliation and potent formulas   

Even though you successfully get all the colour and everything else out, playing Holi sensitises your skin for a few days. And so, it’s wise to keep all your actives, alcohol-based products and anything with a fragrance away. Of course, this also means that it’s not wise to exfoliate your skin for a few days post-Holi to avoid further irritation. Until you think your skin is back to full charge, stick to the basics of your skincare routine—a gentle cleanser, a moisturiser, sunscreen in the day and a hydrating serum in the night.  

Pamper your hair with a mask   

After Holi, your hair needs all the TLC you can give it. This means using a nourishing hair mask to breathe some life back into your tresses and replenish its moisture levels, prevent further damage, and add some shine. Products like the Aveda Botanical Bond Repair Rich Mask (₹5,100) or the milk_shake Argan Deep Treatment (₹2,000) are formulated with ingredients that penetrate deep within the hair fibre to restore it to its pre-Holi glory. 

Also read: Beauty lessons to learn from Gen Z