Facial Cosmetic Surgeon shares skincare tips for Holi that you should not miss!

Holi, is the festival of colors, happiness, and a joyful time to spend with family. But have you wondered that in the midst of this celebration, we often forget to pamper our skin and hair, ending up spoiling it for days? By now, we are all aware of how harsh Holi colours can be for our skin and hair. Being a Cosmetic Surgeon, every year after Holi, I have patients with concerns related to skin and hair damage, including allergies. I have even come across people who have stopped celebrating this beautiful festival for fear of skin damage. Well, this Holi let’s prepare ourselves beforehand. Now, no more running away from colours.

Follow these simple steps, and enjoy the colors of Holi with your loved ones without affecting your skin and hair!

Pre-Holi Preparation to look for!

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To start with, skipping moisturizers is a big no. We often skip moisturizer on our routine day, considering it is no big deal. Well, when it comes to Holi, with all those chemicals on your dry skin, skipping moisturizer is a big no as not hydrating your skin and hair can actually make it look more colorful post-holi.

To avoid this situation, make sure to apply a thick layer of moisturizer if you have dry skin and at least a thin layer if you have oily skin. I would not recommend coconut oil on a routine day, but before entering that arena full of colours, lots of coconut oil on your skin and hair will not only hydrate your skin but will also help to easily get rid of those colours.

You can try using Cerave moisturizer as well. It contains hyaluronic acid and ceramides to help retain skin moisture and help strengthen the skin barrier, protecting it from further damage.

Dr. Sapnna Vaderra

If you rely more on ‘desi nuskha’, you can also apply ghee on your skin. It helps in retaining moisture and protecting the skin barrier. However, ghee is only recommended if you have dry skin. On oily skin, it might clog the pores.

Make SPF your buddy

I am sure we all play Holi outdoors unless you are planning a new colour for your furniture! Being out in the sun makes our skin vulnerable to sun damage. If you ask me, sunscreen in general, should be applied 3-4 times a day. However, on the day of Holi,  apply a thick layer of Sunscreen SPF 50+ on the exposed area of your skin at least once. You can go for Foxtale sunscreen SPF 50+. It contains niacinamide, panthenol, and tocopherol making it a perfect fit for the Indian skin.

Lip Balm on the go

Your lips are one of the most delicate areas of your body and are often neglected. Don’t forget to nourish your lips with a thick layer of lip balm that will not only create a barrier layer but will also make sure to nourish your lips before stepping outside. My go-to balm is Sesderma Lip Balm. Each application creates a perfect blend of hydration and softness.

Post-Holi saviour tips

Gentle cleanser for your gentle skin:

Getting rid of those harsh colors can be tricky, and you might end up damaging your skin and hair. To avoid this, follow double cleansing. Start by gently cleansing your face with Micellar water. After that, use Cetaphil or Cerave gentle cleanser for the second round. Use a gentle scrub-free face wash to remove the remaining colors. My go-to facewash for dry skin is Clean & Clear and Cetaphil facewash. If your skin is oily, you can use Cerave foaming cleanser facewash, which contains ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide to maintain your skin’s protective barrier and calm your skin.

If you are worried about missing out on your glow, you can also go for Glutathione Facewash by Skin Exclusive. For those sticking to homecare therapy, go for turmeric, Besan, and milk paste, mix it, apply it to your skin, and leave it for 10 minutes before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. Don’t forget to moisturize your skin post-cleaning to avoid that extra dryness.

Hydrating Sulfate free softness for your hair

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Rinse your hair with lukewarm water and mild sulfate-free shampoo. Pilgrim sulfate-free shampoo with argan oil could be a good choice. Also, Loreal’s hyaluronic-based shampoo can help replenish that lost moisture. Remember, don’t be harsh while cleansing, go gentle on your hair. If the colour doesn’t come off easily, apply coconut hair oil, keep it for 30–40 minutes, and then gently wash your hair. Try a DIY hair mask using honey, lemon, and yogurt to restore shine and moisture. This year, say yes to eco-friendly natural and organic colors that are focused on protecting your skin and hair.

May the colours of joy and happiness stay forever in your life!

This post has been written by Dr. Sapnna Vaderra, Facial Plastic & Facial Cosmetic Surgeon and Director at Stellar Aesthetics, Mumbai, India.