The ultimate Holi beauty care guide to keep your skin protected, nourished, and rejuvenated (2025)

Holi is a festival of vibrant colours, and joy but amidst the celebrations, your skin often takes a backseat. The aftermath is usually followed by skin dryness, rough texture, and a compromised skin barrier that can persist long after the colours fade. To truly protect and heal your skin, a combination of topical care and internal nourishment is very important.

With the right skincare routine, you can enjoy a vibrant and carefree Holi without compromising your skin's health. A little preparation before the celebrations and mindful care afterward will ensure that your skin stays radiant, nourished, and damage-free.

Essential skincare before and after Holi:

Also read |Best skincare tips for a skin-safe Holi 2025

For your pre-Holi ritual, moisturise generously with a thick moisturiser or natural oils like coconut or almond oil to create a protective barrier. Sunscreen is essential to shield your skin from UV damage and prevent colours from penetrating deeply. Avnish Chhabria, Founder at Wellbeing Nutrition, recommends, “Hydration starts from within, so incorporating bioactive ingredients like hyaluronic acid helps retain moisture, keeping your skin plump and resilient. Strengthen your skin barrier with antioxidants like glutathione and astaxanthin, which neutralize free radicals from synthetic colours, reducing oxidative stress and preventing long-term damage.”

Post Holi, cleanse gently using a mild, sulfate-free cleanser to remove colours without stripping your skin’s natural oils. “At night, seal in hydration with a night cream containing hyaluronic acid to accelerate skin recovery. If you notice dryness, rehydrate with Beauty Collagen and Glow Japanese Marine Collagen Peptides, which restore lost moisture and promote healing. To soothe inflammation, use aloe vera gel, rose water, or chamomile extracts to cool the skin and reduce redness,” Chabbria adds.

Also read |Worried about your skin? Include these natural oils in your skincare routine

Avoid irritation and damage:

To enjoy Holi safely while minimising the risk of skin allergies or reactions from synthetic colours, it’s essential to take some precautions. Start by preparing your skin with a thick layer of coconut oil, almond oil, or a heavy moisturizer to create a protective barrier. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 50+) to prevent sun damage. Opt for organic or herbal colors made from natural ingredients like flowers and turmeric, or make your own using beetroot powder, dried hibiscus flowers, or sandalwood.

Wearing full-sleeved clothing and sunglasses can further protect your skin and eyes from harmful chemicals. Staying hydrated is also crucial, as it helps maintain skin moisture and prevents excessive dryness. “After playing, use a mild cleanser or a natural pack like besan (gram flour) and curd to remove colors gently, followed by a soothing moisturizer or aloe vera gel. A hydrating face mask with honey, yogurt, or rose water can also help restore moisture. If you have sensitive skin, do a patch test before using any coulor and avoid metallic, glitter-based, or chemical-laden options,” suggests Chabbria.

While DIY remedies are great for gently removing Holi colours, the damage they leave behind like dryness, irritation, and uneven skin texture can persist long after the festivities. That’s why it’s essential to go beyond surface-level care by nourishing your skin from within. Adding skin-loving ingredients like primrose oil, essential vitamins, minerals, and powerful antioxidants can help repair and restore your skin’s health.

Nivi Shrivastava is a Delhi-based journalist who writes on lifestyle, health and travel. Views expressed are personal

first published: Mar 12, 2025 04:35 pm

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