This pre and post Holi skincare manual should NOT be missed before the celebrations

The festival of colors is here. But like last year, we will have to eliminate large gatherings and public celebrations. However, this should not dampen our mood. Holi is also about forgetting the pain and celebrating life’s little pleasures. A little colour, lots of sweets and gujiyas and a little water – what’s Holi without all the crazy fun? The good thing is that you can always celebrate Holi at home with your family and close friends because, as they say, even two is company! So what’s stopping you? If it’s the fear of skin damage, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with this Holi skincare guide.

Holi is a time of celebration and fun as we celebrate the festival of colours, we also come across various skin issues like rashes, pigmentation and not to forget, the stubborn colour removal. Here are some tips to follow as we celebrate the holidays.

To keep your Holi skincare in check, HealthShots spoke to Karan Bhaskar, Expert Skincare Consultant, Clinique India, to dole out a complete skincare guide for Holi.

Here’s a pre Holi skincare routine

Bhaskar suggests the more coverage you have, the less likely colours are to damage your skin.

1. Wear opaque clothing. Wear long sleeves, covering your skin. A physical barrier can be the first line of defense against harsh colors and environmental damage.
2. Before going to play, apply oil and moisturizer to your skin. A moisturizer with ceramides will be the right pick as it creates a barrier between your skin and external elements.
3. A good dose of SPF 50 sunscreen on the face and all over the body is essential. Choose a sweat and heat-resistant sunscreen that doesn’t budge with splashing water and colours.
4. Apply several coats of clear nail polish to your nails before going to play Holi unless you want stained nails for another 3-4 months.

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Here’s a post Holi skincare routine

1. After playing Holi, use a cleansing milk to make the colors come off very easily.
2. Once colors are removed, follow with a suitable moisturizer to banish dryness.
3. Homemade packs help the skin regain its pH and luminosity balance. Apply a paste of ripe papaya, add lemon juice and a tablespoon of powdered milk and apply evenly on the face. Leave on for 20 minutes then rinse.
4. You can apply a coconut yogurt pack to remove all color from the scalp. Ingredients: 2 tbsp yogurt, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp olive oil (optional) and 2 tbsp Coconut oil .Just blend all of the elements in a bowl and apply them evenly. Leave for at least 25 minutes before rinsing off with cold water.

Do’s and don’ts of Holi skincare

1. On Holi avoid skin exfoliation 48-72 hours before and after Holi. Even scrubbing off the colour hashly can cause permanent skin damage.
2. “Avoid all skin and salon treatments such as cleansings and facials for a few days before and after the festival”, says Bhaskar.
3. Treat dry, dehydrated skin developed by excessive UV and heat exposure with a hydrating night mask.
4. Also use moisturizing eye and lip masks to soothe the skin.
5. Bhaskar suggests using organic colors and avoiding those containing copper sulfate, lead oxide and mercuric sulfate.
6. Use very gentle and skin-friendly products before and after playing Holi.