Holi 2020: How to prep your skin and take off colour safely

If you’re looking to celebrate Holi with your friends and family this year, you’ll want to prep your skin and then take care of it once you’re done playing too. Overzealous scrubbing and wiping can leave your face and body feel raw and damaged, while applying thick, greasy oils and creams beforehand can clog pores. We spoke to dermatologists Dr Nirupama Parwanda, Dr Suruchi Puri and Dr Kiran Sethi for their take.

How do holi colours affect the skin?

While Holi colours used to be made with natural ingredients like turmeric or dried flowers, these days, colours can be laden with chemicals and toxicants like lead oxide, mercury sulphite and copper sulphate, which can irritate your skin, eyes and nose. These can cause rashes and hives on sensitive skin, and those with acne-prone skin can expect clogged pores and pimples cropping up. If it’s a super bright and shiny colour, it probably has mica and lead particles inside, which can cause build-up on the skin and scalp. “It’s advisable to use organic or natural colours like turmeric, sandalwood paste or organic gulal if you can. It is important to note that paste or aerosol forms of colour are even more toxic and can cause physical or chemical burns, as they are mixed with engine oils. They have the potential to cause dermatitis and allergies, for which you’ll need to see a dermatologist,” says Dr Puri.

How can you prep your skin before playing Holi?

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   Building up your skin’s resistance to outside oxidants is key. Ingredients like Vitamin C and Vitamin E can help to protect skin from free radicals, so adding them to your routine in the weeks before Holi can help. “Take antioxidants like glutathione and Vitamin C orally to supplement skin application,” says Dr Sethi. 

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   Dr Puri confirms that moisturisers with ceramides can help to strengthen the skin barrier as well. “Apply a non-comedogenic, plumping moisturiser that not only hydrates the skin, but also makes the skin absorb less colour by forming a protective physical barrier,” she says. “The more moist your skin, the less likely it is that your Holi colours will stick,” adds Dr Sethi. 

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   The thin skin around the eye needs all the protection it can get, so applying an antioxidant-rich eye cream around the area can help. “Simple vaseline jelly works too,” says Dr Sethi. 

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   “Additionally, stop any retinols, alpha hydroxy acids, beta hydroxy acids or hydroquinone two days before Holi, and don’t apply them for a day or two afterwards either. Plus, no peels or lasers for five to seven days prior,” she adds.

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   Since you’re usually playing in the day, sunscreen is all the more important. “Applying sunscreen on the sun-exposed areas will prevent against UVA and UVB induced sun damage,” says Dr Parwanda. Sunscreens that includes ingredients like titanium dioxide can form a physical barrier around the skin without reacting with any of the synthetic pigments in the colour, so even sensitive skin types can slather it on. 

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   If you have any scrapes or cuts, Dr Parwanda suggests covering it up with a bandage to prevent any colour from getting in and causing an infection.

How to take Holi colour off without damaging your skin

Both doctors suggest against scrubbing, rubbing or over-washing the skin as that can cause micro injuries, which can in turn promote infection or acne. For the face, a double cleansing method might work best. “Oil can emulsify the colour right off, so use sesame oil or coconut oil,” says Dr Sethi. You can then double cleanse with a gel or foam cleanser. A physical scrub can help too, but Dr Sethi recommends that use a very light hand while using it. Once the majority of the colour is taken off, replenishing the skin with ceramides and fatty acids is ideal to build up the skin barrier. If you’re looking for an at-home recipe, Dr Parwanda likes mixing honey and papaya to create a hydrating but acid-exfoliating mask, or oats and honey for a gentle scrub. Dr Sethi is a fan of the traditional ubtan made of besan, buttermilk and honey, which can lift the colour off the skin while moisturising it as well. “[If you’re in a rush to get it all off immediately,] microdermabrasion or a peel in the clinic will work," she says.

For the rest of the body, an easy three-step process can get rid of all the colour. After you’re done scrubbing, use a generic body wash and follow it up with some body oil. Cool water is best, as hot water can actually react with the chemicals in the colour, making them stick to the body even more. “You can use a Vitamin E-rich body oil to soften and brighten the skin after you scrub up and take off the colour,” she says. If the skin is still too itchy or red, a hydrocortisone cream or barrier cream can soothe it. You can also only try using cold milk or ice packs to calm the concerned areas.

Also read:

Why double cleansing is an important skincare step in fighting acne

Why is our skin becoming so sensitive?