The fun-filled festival of Holi that we wait for all year is just a week away. And, this is the time that we must make sure that we are thoroughly prepped up to play Holi and enjoy this festival to the fullest. While Holi is a truly enjoyable festival in itself, it can wreak havoc on your skin in the absence of proper skin protection. Whether you are a person with sensitive skin, dry skin, oily skin or even a combination skin type, skin protection is a must before playing Holi, because let’s face it, Holi colors have a fair chance to irritate the skin.
While it is recommended to play Holi using Organic color powders that are readily available in the market these days, it is not possible to find those colors every time and you never know what kind of colors others are applying. Either way, the wise idea is to prep up your skin and follow skin defending strategies generously before and after Holi.
In this blog, we are here to share 5 golden tips to protect your skin, that you must follow to protect your skin from the harsh Holi colors and any skin allergies.
Tips to protect your skin: Tip #1 Wear Full Sleeved Clothing
The first and foremost tip that is implemented by Indians since ancient times before they venture out to play Holi is to wear full-sleeved clothing to protect their body skin from the harsh exposure of colors. It is tough enough to remove colors from your face, it can become an even tougher job to remove them from the arms and legs. The best way to avoid such a situation is to wear full sleeve clothes. If your arms and legs are well-covered, they will not be exposed much to the color.
Tips to protect your skin: Tip #2 Apply Coconut Oil generously
Before stepping out to play Holi, it is a well-recommended practice to apply coconut oil on all parts of your body generously. Doing so will create an oil barrier between the skin and the colored powders. Applying coconut oil on the skin will also help you to get it removed easily without any hassles or rough scrubbing. Apply Coconut oil not just on the skin, but also on the scalp so that the colors do not end up staining. For the nails and the lips, you can use petroleum jelly such as Vaseline.
Tips to protect your skin: Tip #3 Apply Sun Protection
Sun protection is one of the most underrated steps of a good skincare regime. It is highly recommended to apply sunscreen 15-20 minutes before stepping out of your home. Whether it is the afternoon or a sunny morning, applying sunscreen helps in protecting the skin from the harmful UV Rays of the sun. Make sure to choose a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. The higher, the better. Applying sunscreen before playing Holi will protect the skin from tan and sunburn that happens due to prolonged exposure to the sun.
Tips to protect your skin: Tip #4 Hydrate your Skin
While pre-Holi rituals are highly important to make sure that lesser damage is caused, post-Holi rituals are all the more important so that your skin can revive back to its healthier self. After taking a bath and cleansing your face after playing Holi, apply a thick layer of a good moisturizer all over your face. On top of it, apply a Hyaluronic acid-based cream or serum and hydrate your skin from beneath. Holi colors can be very drying for the skin hence doing this step will help in restoring the elasticity of your skin.
Tips to protect your skin: Tip #5 Allergy Protection
Is your skin prone to allergies and infections? If the answer to this question is “Yes” then you need to take extra care. After playing Holi, scrub your face mildly using gram flour and rose water. This will help in removing the color from deeper layers of the skin. Spritz your skin with some rosewater to calm and soothe it. Moisturize well and apply some calamine lotion on the skin for extra care. If you notice any spots or roughness persisting in the skin even a week after Holi, it would be a good idea to consult a dermatologist.
