A Hassle-Free Routine With Skincare Products For Pre & Post Holi Care

Before you step out to play, there’s a lot of skin prep you need to do as soon as you wake. So, plan ahead!

A sheet mask works like ice on your skin after you wake up. It helps your skin wake up, hydrate and tighten up before you move on to the next step. Innisfree's  Hyaluronic Acid Active Mask is a great option for step 1. It has eight hyaluronic acids infused in a soft cotton sheet (which they claim to be cashmere like) to restore moisture.

Pro-Tip: You can read more about sheet masks we love here.

A must if you’re in your late twenties, an anti-ageing serum needs to be part of your day-to-day routine. But for Holi, it’s an additional protective layer from the damage that the colours can cause.

RAS Luxury has an Infinity Anti-Ageing Face Elixir, which packs a punch in one bottle; it's got 20+ pure botanicals and 10+ vitamins. Just take two to four drops of the elixir and gently dab them on your face, massage in upwards and outwards direction.

Pro-Tip: Want more serum options? Go here.

If you have a solid skincare routine, you know a moisturiser after a face serum is a must. So lather some on. Bioderma's Intensive Baume Daily Ultra-soothing Balm is a good option. It has a non-oily texture that's quick absorbing and strengthens the skin barrier. On top of that it's fragrance-free, hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic.

The most essential step, whether it’s Holi or otherwise—sunscreen is a must! And on the day of Holi, it will protect your skin from tanning after playing in the sun. Apply it on your face and exposed body parts. This moisturising sunscreen from Biore has got the all the qualities of a good sunscreen—SPF 50, PA++++ coverage, no white cast and on top of it all, has passed a confirmed 80-minute water resistance test, which is going to be essential for Holi. It's also non-comedogenic, so it won’t clog your pores.

Pro-Tip: There's no such thing as too much sunscreen, now that summer is nearly here, and you can check out more options here.

We seriously underestimate petroleum jelly. But it’s going to save your face, eyes and nails during the festival of colours. Petroleum jelly will prevent the colour from sticking to your skin for too long, and keep it moisturised too. Apply Vaseline, especially to the corner of your ears, under-eye area, along your hairline and inside your nails after you’ve painted them with a dark colour. Don’t forget to apply some on your lips too! 

Hair tends to get the most damaged during Holi season, mostly because the colour settles in by the time we wash it. To prevent that from happening, make sure you oil your hair properly with an oil of your choice. Coconut oil never disappoints, so it's an easy pick for us.

Getting rid of colours can be a daunting task. But follow these steps, and you can definitely heal your skin.

Apply an ample amount of body oil from head to toe and let it soak in. This is definitely going to help soothe your skin and remove the colour. Kimirica’s 100% plant-based and vegan oil contains ‘squalene’, which is bioidentical to the natural oils that our skin produces. It hydrates and improves your skin, and the best bit is that it feels weightless, and leaves the skin remarkably soft and plump. This natural oil also neutralises the damage caused by UV light, so it’s perfect for Holi.

Pro-Tip: Know more about this amazing ingredient here.

Playing in the harsh sun could cause sunburn, or the colours may have caused some irritation to your skin. Aloe vera can do the job of soothing or calming your skin and also help heal it. Get a Pure & Natural Aloe Vera Gel (200 ml) from Wishcare. We love that it comes in an easy bottle, with a nozzle that squirts out only as much gel as you need. This gel is also 100% natural, paraben-free and has been dermatologically tested.

Pro-Tip: Like sunscreen, there's no such thing as too much aloe vera gel, and here are brands that make great aloe vera gels.

After 30 mins of your shower, follow up with gentle exfoliation or scrubbing. Be gentle, as your skin may have burnt or tanned after your Holi party. A coffee scrub can do wonders as it has granules that exfoliate better. This Sesame Peppermint Coffee Scrub by Essentia Extracts can do a great job at exfoliation. It’s natural and sulphate-free, cleans clogged pores, detoxifies and rejuvenates the skin. Get it to a paste consistency by mixing it with water or milk and gently begin to massage in circular motions. 

As the last step, moisturise all over! Use a generous amount of a cooling moisturiser and keep your skin protected.
We recommend this Aveeno moisturiser for sensitive skin, as it is formulated with oat oil and natural shea butter to nourish your skin. It has been clinically shown to relieve and soothe dry skin for full 24 hours, and we're sure we're going to need that post Holi madness.

Don’t forget to drink ample water for your skin and book yourself a manicure-pedicure appointment for some much-need post-Holi nail care.