Holi is that festival where ‘glam’ takes a backseat and diving face first into the plethora of colours rides shotgun. It may be fun, but it can get rather messy. In the process, there is collateral damage—the colours, the heat and the water, can all wreak havoc on your skin and hair. This calls for a post-Holi skincare and haircare spa day dedicated to reversing the damage and giving yourself the much-needed TLC.
“After Holi, your skin can feel dry, irritated and may have leftover colour residue,” says Dr Kiran Sethi, medical director and founder of Isya Aesthetics. “It gets worse depending on the chemicals within the colour. It’s essential to moisturise and soothe your skin every step of the way.” She also states that it’s better to take precautions before heading out to play, in addition to carrying out the post-Holi routine. To do so, she suggests applying a layer of oil or moisturiser to create a barrier that can help prevent colour from penetrating deeply into the skin and wearing clothes that cover up your body as much as possible.
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Post-Holi tips for skincare
Step 1: Cleanse away
Start by using a gentle cleanser to remove the colour and dirt. Look for ingredients like aloe vera, glycerin, or hyaluronic acid for hydration.
Tira recommends: Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
Step 2: Exfoliate gently
Use a mild scrub to remove dead skin cells and colour residue. Opt for ingredients like oatmeal, honey or sugar for gentle exfoliation.
Tira recommends: Dermalogica Daily Milkfoliant Exfoliator
Step 3: Mask it up
Apply a soothing face mask to hydrate and calm the skin. You can also make your own mask at home, using ingredients such as yogurt, cucumber or aloe vera.
Tira recommends: Makeup Revolution Skin Honey & Oatmeal Nourish & Glow Face Mask
Step 4: Slather on a moisturiser
Finish off your routine with a rich moisturiser to help lock in hydration. For best results, look for ingredients like shea butter or ceramides.
Tira recommends: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Face Moisturizer With Hyaluronic Acid For 72 Hours Hydration
Post-Holi tips for haircare
Step 1: Massage your scalp and strands
Use coconut or olive oil to massage your scalp and hair. Leave it on for at least an hour for the colour to come out smoothly.
Tira recommends: Jovees Bio-Advanced Bhringraj And Olive Hair Oil
Step 2: Cleanse the colour out
Wash your hair with a mild shampoo to remove the oil and colour. You can shampoo a couple times, but don’t overdo it. If the colour doesn’t seem to be out fully, leave it for the next wash.
Tira recommends: Forest Essentials Bhringraj & Shikakai Hair Cleanser Shampoo
Step 3: Don’t forget to condition
Use a hydrating conditioner or hair mask to restore moisture and soften your hair. Look for ingredients such as argan oil or keratin.
Tira recommends: Marc Anthony Argan Oil Extra Hydrating Conditioner
Step 4: Protect for later
Apply a leave-in conditioner or serum to protect your hair from damage and frizz.
Tira recommends: Milk Shake Leave In Conditioner
How to get rid of the harsher colours
1. Avoid harsh chemicals: Do not use harsh soaps or detergents to cleanse off the colour, as they can further dry out your skin and strip away its natural oils.
2. Apply oil: Massage coconut, olive or almond oil onto your skin before bathing. These oils can help break down the colour and make it easier to wash off.
3. Opt for natural scrubs: Use a mixture of besan and milk or yogurt to gently scrub off the colour. The grainy texture of besan helps remove the colour, while the milk or yogurt soothes the skin.
4. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate: Drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated from within. This can help flush out toxins and reduce the intensity of colour staining.
