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As the festival of colors is fast approaching, we are wondering how to prepare for the party. Bollywood films suggest slipping into white salwar suits, drying your hair and wearing oxidized jhumkas for Holi. But is this really the right way to prepare? Most of us rummage through our closets for old clothes (there’s nothing wrong with that) and oil our hair before we find our group of friends or extended family.
But pre-preparation includes much more – most importantly, how to take care of your skin which also continues after Holi. From moisturizing your skin before Holi to application post-holi masksthis article offers skin care tips that can be a delight for your face or body.
Holi brings with it a lot of skin or hair issues to struggle with, whether herbal or not. For people with sensitive skin, allergic skin reactions, acne breakouts, dry or frizzy hair are a possible result and their skin is in desperate need of a natural glow. These problems arise due to color irritants, of course, and fatty or sugary foods that come with parties. So post-Holi is a time of problem-solving with solution-based home treatments to help get your skin back on track.
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1. Home remedies
2. Watermelon pulp
3. Aloe vera gel
4. Cucumber and coconut oil
5. Sandalwood and rosewater
6. Gram flour and rose water
7. Multani Mitti and Yogurt
8. Neem leaves and rose water
9. Lawyer
10. Turmeric and Yogurt
11. Strawberries and oats
12. Frequently Asked Questions:
home remedies
We start by taking a bath right after playing with wet Holi colors. You can wash your face with a oil absorbing face wash and for leftover color, use a mild cleanser afterwards.
If you feel your skin remains dry or itchy, use one of the following DIY face masks. These masks can also remove remaining color spots.
watermelon pulp
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Watermelon is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, and it can instantly soothe your skin. This season, the refreshing fruit will not only quench your thirst, but will also act as a great moisturizing mask for your dry skin. You will need to seed and pulp a large portion of the watermelon, apply it to your rashes, and wait 20 minutes before washing off.
Pro Tip: It is suitable for all skin types.
aloe vera gel
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Aloe vera gel has anti-inflammatory and healing properties that will help moisturize your skin. Apply aloe vera gel to the affected area and pat your skin until the gel dries. Leave it on for about 20 minutes before washing it off.
Pro Tip: If you cut a stem from a plant, turn it upside down so that the yellow liquid oozes out. It is the part of the aloe vera stem that causes irritation in certain skin types.
Cucumber and coconut oil
Start by blending a cucumber and squeezing out its juice. Now mix 3 tablespoons of coconut oil with the resulting cucumber juice. Apply this mixture on the prickly part of your body and wash off after 20 minutes. Coconut oil will cleanse and unclog your poreswhile the cucumber will refresh your skin.
Pro Tip: If you have oily skin, this mask is not for you.
Sandalwood and rose water
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Make a paste with 5 tablespoons of sandalwood powder (or chandan) and a little rose water to make a mixture of semi-thick consistency. Apply it directly to the affected area of your skin and wash off after 20 minutes. Sandalwood will relieve your prickly rash and clear up blemishes on your skin. Rose water is a natural tonic.
Pro Tip: You can replace rose water with milk.
Chickpea flour and rose water
One gram of flour (or besan) and rose water pack will relieve itching and tingling sensations. To make this paste, mix 5 tablespoons of gram flour with 3 tablespoons of rose water to make a thick paste. Apply this pack on rashes and wash off with cold water after 15 minutes. The rose water will act as an astringent and the gram flour has alkalizing properties which will keep your skin’s pH stable.
Pro Tip: Consider this a good option if you want to fade Holi colors as well.
Multani Mitti and Yogurt
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One of the most common mask ingredients is Multani Mitti, also known as Fuller’s Earth. To make a smooth paste, mix 3 tablespoons of yogurt and 5 tablespoons of fuller’s earth. Leave it on the rash for 20 minutes, wash it off and pat dry with a soft towel. The healing properties of fuller’s earth will work against rashes and blemishes, while the lactic acid will dissolve dead skin and tighten pores.
Pro Tip: Multani mitti is rich in minerals that your skin needs.
Neem Leaves and Rose Water
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Take a few neem leaves and grind them until they form a smooth paste. Mix some rose water and apply the paste directly to your skin. Let it sit for about 30 minutes before washing it off with water and drying it with a clean towel. The antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties of neem will prevent the rash from getting infected.
Pro Tip: It is also a natural remedy for acne.
Attorney
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Avocado is incredibly nutritious and nutritious for dry skin. It is full of healthy fats which have a wonderful moisturizing and stimulating effect on the skin. For this pack, mix 3 tbsp of mashed avocado, 1 tbsp of honey, and 1 tbsp of rose water. Blend and apply to affected areas. Rinse after 20 minutes.
Pro Tip: Eating avocados is also beneficial for your skin.
Turmeric and Yogurt
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Yogurt is rich in healthy natural fats and acids that exfoliate the skin. These acids slough off dry, scaly skin, while the fats moisturize it. The yogurt will help lighten the Holi color, while the honey and turmeric can add a shine. Mix 3 spoons of yogurt, a spoon of honey and a pinch of turmeric powder. Apply to your skin and wash off after 20 minutes.
Pro Tip: If you have very dry skin, you can apply it once a week.
Strawberries and oats
The vitamin C content of strawberries can help get rid of dryness. It also illuminates the skin and protects it from UV rays. To make this mask, mash 3 ripe strawberries, and mix them with a spoonful of honey and oats. If you find the mixture too thick, add a few drops of water before application. Leave on for 20 minutes and rinse.
Pro Tip: It is a natural scrub that can help clean blackheads too.
FAQs:
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Q. What should we apply to our faces after Holi?
A. Whenever possible, try to play Holi with just water and use plant-based dyes without chemicals or other irritants if needed. Wash the skin of not only your face but also your body with oil-based body washes and always follow the double cleansing method for your face. Moisturize thoroughly and if your skin is still dry, prepare and apply a homemade moisturizing mask using coconut oil, avocado, yogurt, rose water and other readily available ingredients .
Q. How can I protect my face during Holi?
A. The best way to protect not only your skin but also your hair during Holi is to oil it before going out. This way the colors won’t fully reach your skin and will stay relatively safe. You can use coconut oil, olive oil, or almond oil. Always apply sunscreen before applying these oils. Also, don’t forget to layer your lips with good old petroleum jelly like Vaseline.
Q. How do I remove color without scrubbing my face?
A. Holi makes your skin sensitive for more than one reason. Not only are you exposed to chemicals, but also to the blazing sun. Exfoliation is the worst thing to subject your skin to. Instead, wash your face twice (wash your face with oil-based face washes that are often used to remove makeup and follow suit with a mild face wash) for better results. Many DIY face masks can remove color while moisturizing your skin, use them instead of scrubbing.
