Post-Holi Skincare Guide: Protect Your Face From the After-Effects of Harsh Chemicals

Holi is always a blast! You may have plans to enjoy raindance parties, play with herbal colours and gulaals, and splash water on everyone around you. We know that some bold and risky people will definitely involve eggs and balloons, too. Well, we aren’t judging! But we are definitely concerned. As much fun as Holi is, its after-effects can be quite serious. Excessive hard water on the face, different hands touching your skin, and colours that may or may not be herbal, can damage your skin barrier. As a result, you may feel irritation, dryness, and itchiness, or even breakouts. The reaction may not be immediate, but it can be severe.

So, once you’re done with the Holi fever, it’s time to get on with damage control. We already talked about the measures you can take before the festival to ensure your skin is protected. Now, here’s the kind of skincare routine you can follow post-Holi to maintain your natural pH scale and protective barrier.

How Post-Holi Skincare Is Different From Your Regular Routine?

A lot of you might think that you can continue with your regular skincare routine, which, honestly, may involve useful and potent ingredients. However, the care you need to take of your face once Holi is over can be different. Your regular steps might involve anti-ageing and brightening serums, which may cause more irritation to your face. Despite using hydrating actives, it may not give the desired results. Your skin is your protective layer, and once it gets damaged with harsh colours and chemicals, it needs special attention and TLC. We advise you to start the following steps immediately to see effective results.

1. Immediate Night

The real process begins once you are back home after being done with colours, water and abeer. Take a long, long shower, and clean every part of your body. Do not forget to wash the colour residues from behind your ears. Moving on, here’s what you can do based on your skin type:

• Oily Skin

If you have oily skin, you need to be particular about the colour particles sticking to your pores stubbornly. While it may feel very tempting to use an exfoliating or harsh cleanser, do not give in.

Double Cleanser: Use an oil-based makeup remover to first gently melt down the colours. Rub your face gently in circular motions and then use a gentle cotton pad to wipe it off. Then go for a face wash that will not strip away the important moisture of your skin. You can choose ones with mild exfoliating agents like glycolic or salicylic acid.

Clay Mask: This can be your next step. Applying a clay mask can help with soothing and can calm down irritation. It can also help with clearing up the pores more by extracting the colour residues. Once it dries up, use lukewarm water to melt it and then rinse it thoroughly.

Moisturiser: A common myth is that people with oily skin do not need moisturisers. On the contrary, their skin can be producing more sebum due to a lack of moisturisation. Once you have cleaned and calmed your face, you can use a niacinamide serum, as it can provide hydration as well as control excessive oil production. Post that, use a lightweight moisturiser, which has hyaluronic acid. You can also opt for gel-based ones as they will not feel heavy and get absorbed quickly.

Extra Step: If you still feel that your skin feels irritated, apply organic aloe vera gel as it can offer a cooling effect.

• Dry Skin & Sensitive Skin

Colours and hard water can be very harsh on your skin. It can strip away moisture, which your skin is already deprived of. Here are the steps you can follow:

Hydrating Cleanser: Use double cleansers that have hydrating ingredients like milk in it and are creamy in texture. The same goes for the face wash as well. This can ensure that the natural oil of your skin is not removed, the colours come out, and you get an extra dose of hydration.

Extra Moisturisation: As post-Holi care, you need more than your regular moisturiser. Apply a good hydrating essence or toner (preferably ones with ingredients like peptides, niacinamide, and cica). Follow it up with a lightweight hyaluronic serum. Apply it to a little damp skin so that it can lock in moisture. Use a cream-based moisturiser next, preferably with ingredients like ceramides that are known for repairing the skin barrier. Let it sit and dry. Once done, lock it all with a face oil like vitamin E or squalane. This last step can make your skin feel supple and soft.

• Normal Skin

With this skin type, your primary goal has to be balancing everything product with the right ingredients. This can help prevent any unnecessary breakouts and other mild concerns.

Effective Cleaning: Do not pick up any cleanser that is sitting on your counter. First, use an oil-based cleanser to melt the colours on the areas that are most impacted. Be patient and gentle with the process. After rinsing it, use another foam-based cleanser to get rid of the oil as well as the remaining colours.

Refreshing Toner: Use a face mist or toner that can give a refreshing and hydrating effect to your face. You can choose ingredients like rice water or rose water extract. You can either spray it directly or pour it on cotton pads and apply it all over your face. For better results, keep the circular pads on your cheeks for a minute to relax your pores.

Sheet Masks: These masks cannot give long-lasting effects, but can provide immediate relief. Apply a cool sheet mask with calming ingredients like aloe vera, rice bran, snail mucin, niacinamide, cica, tea tree oil, etc.

Moisturise: You can use your regular moisturiser, but make sure that you apply it generously. Massage your face gently in an upward and clockwise direction for better blood flow. Let it sit and get absorbed. In case you use a very lightweight or water-based moisturiser, then reapply it after a few hours if you are awake.

2. The Major Don’t’s

Now that you have an idea of things you can do for post-Holi skincare, here are the things you should avoid if you do not want to harm your skin further.

• Exfoliation: In case you played with stubborn and rich colours, then chances are that they will take time to get cleaned off completely. Do not get tempted to use exfoliating agents like AHA BHA peels or physical scrubs. You may feel that it can give instant results, but on the contrary, it can harm your barrier layer even more.
  
  
• Fragrance Products: There are multiple products in the market that offer good fragrance. But remember, such skincare items can cause more irritation and can be full of strong chemicals. Use fragrance-free products that usually come with a clean ingredient list.
  
  
• Alcohol-Based Products: Any skincare item that has alcohol in it should be far, far away from you while you’re trying to repair your barrier. This can cause major irritation and inflammation.
  
  
• Overwashing: Rinsing your face over and over again will not help you get rid of colours faster. In fact, it will dry out your skin and make it flaky and itchy. If you ever feel the need, use a refreshing toner or face mist instead.
  
  
• Do Not Skip Sunscreen: Sun protection is a must during the day as it can protect you during the day, whether you are indoors or outdoors. Use those sunscreen that offers a minimum of SPF 40 and PA++++.

3. 48 Hours to One Week

You can continue the above routine for the next 48 hours. If your skin still does not feel hydrated enough, keep going with the process for at least one week. You can reapply your moisturisers every few hours during the day for better results.

Also, in case you feel there is a massive breakout or your skin is not getting back to its normal texture even after a week, you can consult a dermatologist.

Final Verdict:

Holi is a festival that comes with its own set of pros and cons. While you can and should have a blast with colours and water, be very careful with your skin, as it can take a lot of time to heal once damaged. You can try the above-mentioned steps to protect your face after the festivities end, and we hope it helps.

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