Holi, the most colourful festival of our country, marks the onset of spring and is a time of festivity and colours. Traditionally, Holi is played by making colours from herbs and the flowers blooming at that time. The fragrant natural colours also had therapeutic value and were beneficial for our skin and health.
The ingredients of Gulal were purposely chosen for their emollient qualities, which is a far cry from today’s toxic colours.
Over the years, synthetic colours have replaced natural colours to the extent that most Holi colours sold in the market today are oxidized metals or industrial dyes (like those for dyeing clothes).
All these are toxic and can result in anything from skin allergies to rashes, eye irritation to blindness and much more. Yet despite knowing all this we just can’t stop ourselves from playing Holi. But at the same time, on should also take care of their skin.
Well, don’t let your skin worries hinder your festive spirit. Here’s a skin plan for before and after care of skin during the Holi festival.
Pre Holi skin regime
Caring for your skin requires a daily routine, a process you repeat every day, a week or 2-3 days before Holi. The first and foremost step is to nourish your skin. Before going out to play with Holi colours try one of these recipes.
n Mix castor oil (for face, use almond oil) in rose water and a few drops of your favourite aroma oil. Apply over your whole body and scalp every day in the night.
n You can also mix sesame oil with glycerine, add a little hot water to it and shake well.
*Applying it daily - will also lubricate the skin very well.
*A heavy dose of your favourite body lotion is also a good alternative.
*Put Vaseline around and under nails as well as soles, elbows or any dry area of your body, as the colours of Holi generally leave the skin dry. So lubricating nails, feet and skin in advance with vaseline will help form a protective layer from the harm that can be caused by Holi colours.
*Use UV block or your sunblock as sun and water can damage your skin, so protection in hand will help you.
Post Holi regime
After enjoying your Holi now it is time for you to remove all those colours and replenish and rejuvenate your skin by use of one of these tried and tested remedies.
*Make a paste of soyabean flour or besan with milk. Apply it on whole body and wait for the paste to get dry and then scrub it off.
*Grind yellow mustard and mix it well with milk cream. Use this paste the same way as above and scrub it all over the body.
*Mix sea salt, glycerine and few drops of aroma oil and scrub the mixture all over the whole body. As this recipe is antibacterial and antifungal it will take care of the bad effects of colours.
Moisturizer and nourish
Soak all fresh herbs like mint, coriander, neem, lemon slices, thyme, rosemary or a few drops of aroma oil and potassium permanganate into your bath water and enjoy it. Then moisturize your whole face and body with good moisturizing lotion or almond oil mixed with few drops of aroma oil.
In case of any allergic reaction to any colours, e.g. itching, burning or rashes, contact your doctor immediately. So start preparing for Holi today and give your skin the biggest treat of the season and have a happy and healthy Holi!
The skin regime inputs have been provided by VLCC