It is time to bid goodbye to winters and welcome the summer sun – and what better way to do so than paint the town with the vibrant colours of Holi! Happy faces smeared with vermillion that look the same is what Holi is all about. However, with the various types of Holi colours available today in metallic and pakka shades, your skin can be severely damaged.

When it comes to playing with Holi colours, it is always advisable to choose herbal colours, organic colours, or, better still, those made at home. Non-herbal colours and metallic colours are known to contain traces of lead, dyes, copper, chromium, aluminium and even powdered glass. All of these can have harmful effects on the skin, eyes, hair and hands.

Not only this, these are bad for the environment as well. When you wash off these colours or mix them with water, they mix with the soil and hamper growth of the plants.

However, the irony is that even if you plan on playing with natural colours, you don’t know what your friends and relatives are putting on you. This Holi, before you set out to have some fun, make sure your skin is well protected.

Here are some tips to keep in mind:

Go Natural:

Why waste money on packaged colours this Holi? Play with the wonderfully colourful flowers instead! Soft and beautiful petals of roses, lilies, marigold, jacaranda and daisies will add a different charm to your festivities, while being gentle on your skin. 

Other options include playing with sandalwood powder, turmeric, henna and saffron. You can also experiment with milk and beet juice.

Prepare Your Skin:

It is advisable to coat your skin and body with a thick layer of oil before playing with Holi colours. Usually, mustard oil or coconut oil works best, but petroleum jelly is also recommended.

Make sure you cover all areas, such as behind the ears, neck and back. This prevents the harmful colours from sticking to the skin and entering its pores, and also makes it easier to remove.

Also, remember to apply a generous amount of sunscreen as many a times, playing in the sun often leads to tanning. Try and keep yourself as covered as possible, because not only will it prevent other parts of the body from getting exposed to colours, it will also save you the trouble of trying to scrub it off from hard to reach places!

Also, apply a good coat of lip balm on your lips.

Safe Removal:

When it’s time to wash off the colour, make sure you don’t scrub hard or use harmful soaps and shampoos.

For the body, apply a smooth paste of curd, gram flour and turmeric and exfoliate gently before washing off. Apply a good body lotion, preferably containing shea butter or cocoa butter, after the bath, while the skin is still moist.

For the hair, use a herbal shampoo and make sure you condition well after washing, to restore its moisture. Do not use a hair dryer, as it will further dry your hair.

Enjoy the Festivities

Holi is a great festival to have a fabulous time with your loved ones. You will be able to enjoy it better if you don’t have to worry about harming your skin.