Skin and hair tips for safe Holi

The dry “Gulal” today contain chemicals, like mica, silica and even lead, while the water colours contain toxins like lead oxide, copper sulphate, aluminium, mercury, etc. They also contain powdered glass, acids and alkalis. These substances are not bio-degradable. Apart from being a hazard to the environment, they affect the skin and hair adversely. They irritate the skin and scalp, causing allergies and dermatitis. They disrupt the normal balances of the skin and scalp and lead to itching, rashes, acne, flaking or dry, red patches. They also collect on the scalp, causing dryness and itching. The hair texture becomes dry, rough and unmanageable.

Since Holi is played out of doors, sun-exposure can have a detrimental effect on the skin. Apply sunscreen 20 minutes before going out in the sun. Use a sunscreen of SPF 20 and above. If your skin is prone to pigmented patches, select a higher SPF. Most sunscreens have built-in moisturizers. Apply sunscreen on the face, back of the neck and arms.


For the hair, apply leave on conditioner or hair serum before playing Holi. This protects the hair from the effects of sun exposure and dryness caused by colours. Take very little, spread on both palms and massage light into the hair, or smooth palms over the hair. Hair creams containing sunscreen are also available.


Skin and Hair Tips


Rinse the face with plenty of plain water and then use a cleansing cream, or lotion. Apply and massage it on the face. Then wipe off with moist cotton wool. Remember to cleanse the area around the eyes too, using a light touch. A cleansing gel helps to dissolve the colours and facilitates their removal.


To make your own cleanser, take half a cup of cold milk and add one teaspoon of any vegetable oil, like “til,” olive or sunflower oil. Mix well. Dip cotton wool into this mixture and use it to cleanse the skin.


Sesame seed (til) oil can be used to remove colours from the body, massaging it on the skin. This not only helps to remove the colours, but gives added protection to the skin. Sesame seed (til) oil actually helps to counteract sun-damage. While bathing, scrub the body gently with a loofah or wash cloth.

If there is itching, add two tablespoons vinegar to a mug of water and use it as a last rinse. This helps to reduce itching. However, if the itching continues, and there is rash and redness, there may be an allergic reaction to the colour. Consult a doctor as soon as possible.


While washing the hair, first rinse with plenty of plain water to wash away the dry colours and tiny particles of mica. Then apply a mild herbal shampoo, working it into the hair with the fingers. Massage the scalp gently and rinse thoroughly with water again.


The day after Holi, mix two tablespoons honey with half a cup of curd. Add a pinch of turmeric. Apply this on the face, neck and arms. Leave it on for 20 minutes and wash off with water. Helps to remove tan and soften the skin.



Within the next few days give your hair a nourishing treatment. Mix one tablespoon pure coconut oil with one teaspoon castor oil. Heat and apply on the hair. Then dip a towel in hot water, squeeze out the water and wrap the hot towel around the head, like a turban. Keep it on for 5 minutes. Repeat the hot towel wrap 3 or 4 times. This helps the hair and scalp absorb the oil better. Wash your hair after an hour.

Inputs by Shahnaz Husain