Holi is a celebration coinciding with nature’s renewal, emphasizing the importance of beauty care centered around protection and prevention. While the festival of colors can potentially harm the skin and hair, adopting specific care measures can help safeguard and maintain their natural beauty. Understanding how to shield the skin and hair from potential damage is essential for enjoying a worry-free Holi celebration.
Holi Colors – Then and Now
During ancient times, vegetable dyes, flowers, and plant products were used to obtain colors for Holi. They were undoubtedly safer than the chemicals in the colors of today. The dry “Gulal” may contain chemicals like mica, silica, and even lead, while the watercolors contain toxins like lead oxide, copper sulfate, aluminum, mercury, etc. They also contain powdered glass, acids, and alkalis, which are non-biodegradable.
The Harmful Effects
They are an environmental hazard and adversely affect the skin and hair. Since the skin and scalp can absorb, the harmful chemicals cling to the skin and hair.
They irritate the skin and scalp, causing allergies and dermatitis. They disrupt the normal acid-alkaline balance of the skin and scalp and lead to itching, rashes, acne, flaking, or dry, rough reddish patches.
The hair texture becomes dry, rough, and unmanageable. Skin and hair protection before playing Holi helps you minimize the damage.
We have formulated Ayurvedic Gulal, containing turmeric, marigold, rose petals, ratanjot, henna, and red sandalwood powder. Maize powder and gram flour form the natural bases.
Before Playing Holi
Since Holi is played outdoors, the skin and hair are exposed to the sun. Sun exposure can have a detrimental effect on the skin. Besides harmful UV radiation, sun exposure makes the skin dry by causing moisture depletion. As a result, the skin may become dry, dull, and tanned after playing Holi.
1. Sun protection for Skin
- Remember to apply sunscreen 20 minutes before going out in the sun. Use a sunscreen of SPF 20 or 25. It would suit most skins.
- However, if you have sun-sensitive skin, which becomes red or prone to pigmented patches or spots, you need a higher SPF of 40 and above.
- Most sunscreens and sunblocks have built-in moisturizers. But, if your skin is dehydrated, apply sunscreen, wait for a few minutes, and then apply a moisturizer.
Apply sunscreen and moisturizing lotion on the arms and exposed areas, like the back of the neck and arms. Or, you can apply a “cover cream” for added protection.
We have formulated a cover cream containing sandalwood, protecting the skin from sun damage, sensitivity, and eruptions due to Holi colors. Alternatively, apply oil on the arms and exposed areas and apply a lip balm containing sunscreen.
2. Protect Your Hair
The hair also needs protection before playing Holi. Apply a leave-in conditioner or hair serum on the hair before playing Holi. This protects the hair from sun exposure and dryness caused by colors.
Hair creams loaded with sunscreen can also prove vital in protecting your skin.
- Take a little hair serum or leave-in conditioner spread on both palms.
- Massage lightly into the hair. Or, you can smooth your palms over the hair.
- Alternatively, apply pure coconut oil and massage it lightly into the hair. This also protects colors.
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3. Wear a Light Makeup
Light daytime makeup may be used. First, touch up your eyes with an eye pencil or kajal and use lip gloss. Next, apply transparent nail varnish on the nails. This helps to protect the nails from absorbing colors.
How to Remove Colors from Skin?
The real problem is the removal of colors after playing Holi.
- Rinse the face with plenty of plain water, and then use a cleansing cream or lotion. Apply and massage it on the face. Then wipe off with moist cotton wool. Remember to cleanse the area around the eyes using a light touch. A cleansing gel can be applied to help dissolve the colors and remove them.
- You can also make your own cleanser. Add half a cup of cold milk and one teaspoon of vegetable oil, like sesame seed oil, olive oil, or sunflower oil. Mix well. Dip cotton wool into this mixture and use it to cleanse the skin.
Sesame seed oil can be used to remove colors from the body. This not only helps to remove the colors but gives added protection to the skin. Sesame seed oil helps to counteract sun-damage.
While bathing, scrub the body gently with a loofah or washcloth. Immediately after your bath, moisturize the face and body while the skin is damp. This helps to seal in moisture.
How to Remove Colors from Hair?
- While washing the hair, rinse with plenty of plain water to wash away the dry colors and tiny mica particles.
- Then, apply a mild herbal shampoo, working it into the hair with the fingers. Massage the scalp gently and rinse thoroughly with water again.
- After shampooing, apply a creamy conditioner, taking very little and massaging it lightly into the hair.
- Leave it for 2 minutes and rinse off with plain water. Or, you can apply a “leave-in” type of conditioner or hair serum. Apply the same way, but do not rinse off.
Skin and Hair Care After Holi
- The day after Holi, mix two tablespoons of honey with half a cup of curd. Add a pinch of turmeric. Apply this on the face, neck, and arms.
- Leave it on for 20 minutes and wash off with water. This will help remove tan and soften the skin.
Within the next few days, give your hair a nourishing treatment.
- Mix one tablespoon of pure coconut oil with one teaspoon of castor oil.
- Heat and apply it to the hair.
- Then, dip a towel in hot water, squeeze out the water, and wrap the hot towel around the head, like a turban.
- Keep it on for 5 minutes. Then, repeat the hot towel wrap 3 or 4 times.
- This helps the hair and scalp absorb the oil better. Wash your hair after an hour.
Skin and Hair Care with Natural Ingredients
Many natural ingredients help in restoring the glow of skin and hair. They help restore average balances, correct imbalances, and heal the skin and scalp.
1. Neem Leaf
Use Neem leaf infusions to wash the skin and hair to heal rashes and eruptions. First, boil water and add the neem leaves to it. Then, cover it and let it stand in the water overnight. The next day, strain the water and use it to wash the skin and hair.
2. Make Neem Oil
This can be prepared in advance. Heat 250 ml pure coconut oil. Take a handful of neem leaves and add them to the oil (coconut oil). Keep in the sun during the day for 4 or 5 days. Strain the leaves and keep the oil for use. This relieves itching and restores the scalp’s average balance.
3. Turmeric
Turmeric has many healing properties. It is a natural antiseptic and has anti-inflammatory properties. It helps soften the skin and remove tan.
- Mix four parts of curd, add 1 part honey, and a very little turmeric.
- Apply on the face, neck, and arms daily for a few days after Holi.
- Wash off after 20 minutes. It removes tan and makes the skin soft, smooth, and bright.
4. Sesame Seeds
Crush sesame seeds coarsely and soak them in water overnight. Then, strain it and use the milky liquid to wash the face, neck, and arms the next day. This helps soothe sunburn. Sesame seeds are SPF 6 and have a soothing and protective effect on the skin.
5. Aloe Vera
Apply fresh Aloe Vera gel to soothe and heal the skin. It contains zinc, which is anti-inflammatory. It is also a powerful moisturizer and helps you soften the skin and relieve dryness.
6. Sandalwood
One of the best-known natural germicidal and antiseptics is sandalwood. It helps to soothe skin rashes and eruptions from the colors and paints. The paste can be mixed with rose water and applied in rash conditions.
7. Marigold
Add a handful of fresh marigold flowers for oily hair to three cups of hot water. Allow it to stand for an hour. Strain and cool the water and use it to rinse the hair after shampooing.
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