Expert speak: Pre- and post Holi skincare tips by Dr Geetika Mittal Gupta

Arushi Sakhuja

The vibrant festival of colours is almost upon us and signals the onset of summer. The festival marks the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil and it is a time when friends and family come together to celebrate with music, dance, and Holi colours. However, amidst the joy and excitement of Holi lies a concern that often goes overlooked: the potential impact of harsh colours and sun exposure on our skin. Over the years harmful colours have been replaced with organic colours, but the impact is reduced, and not nullified. So as you gear up to celebrate in style, don’t forget to give your skin a little extra TLC, Dr. Geetika Mittal Gupta, Aesthetic physician and founder of ISAAC Luxe (International Skin & Anti-Aging Centre), shares a few Holi skincare tips.

As we gear up for this exuberant festival, it’s essential to prepare our skin to withstand the onslaught of colours and the sun’s rays. Equally important is the post-celebration skincare routine to cleanse, nourish, and rejuvenate our skin, ensuring it remains healthy and radiant long after the festivities have ended. From proactive measures to protect against colour stains and UV damage to gentle post-celebration rituals for skin recovery, let’s explore the holistic approach to caring for your skin during and after Holi.

To begin Holi skincare, Dr Geetika advises, “Prepping our skin and tresses for the festivities is important. Begin by applying a few drops of Vitamin C serum followed by a moisturizer to nourish and protect your skin. Then, generously coat your face and exposed areas with sunscreen to shield against harmful UV rays and colour stains.” For added protection, she recommends applying a layer of Vaseline over your sunscreen to create a barrier against colour pigments, a technique known as skin slugging.

But it’s not only skincare products that work wonders as holi skincare tips, accessories are an understated gem. “Don’t forget to accessorize! Wear oversized sunglasses to shield your eyes from the sun and colour splashes,” she says. As for the hair, Dr Geetika suggests prioritising hair care by “applying oil to your hair and covering it with a hat or scarf. For the body, apply oil and wear protective clothing to minimize direct contact with colourants.”

Post the chaos of colour play, it’s time for some cleaning up. “Once the revelry winds down, it’s time for some post-Holi TLC. Begin with a double cleansing routine using micellar water followed by a gentle foam face wash to thoroughly remove colour residues and impurities.” When picking out a face wash, she recommends applying a “niacinamide B3 serum to reduce skin inflammation and promote healing.” Moving on with post holi skincare she says, “follow-up the face wash with a moisturizer enriched with ceramides and peptide drops.” Her recommendation is the the DrG Intense Hydrating Moisturiser to restore the skin’s moisture barrier enhance its resilience and detoxify the skin the Dr G Moringa Face Mask draws out impurities and revitalizes tired skin. To conclude she says, “take an anti-allergic medication if any skin inflammation or allergy occurs, and ensure to hydrate well to replenish lost moisture and promote skin recovery.”