Premium

How to quickly remove stubborn Holi colour from face, skin, and hair

Waiting too long to remove the colour can make it harder to wash off, potentially leading to staining and more stubborn residues.

Get rid of stubborn colours with these tips (Source: Freepik)

White kurtas, oiled hair, and chilled thandai — the festival of colours is incomplete without certain staple rituals. As friends and family come together to celebrate Holi and indulge in some harmless colour smearing, worrying about getting the stains out should not weigh down your happiness. For the beauty conscious, or those who have to show up for an important client meeting the next day, we’ve got you covered!

Dr Mikki Singh, dermatologist and medical director at Bodycraft Clinics, Gurgaon shares a guide to get rid of stubborn colour stains from your face, body, and hair:

1. Act Fast with Lukewarm Water and Mild Cleanser: Rinse your skin with lukewarm water immediately. Use a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser to help lift the colours without irritating your skin.

2. Oil-Based Cleanser or Natural Oils: Use natural oils like coconut or olive oil. Massage a small amount onto the affected areas to help dissolve the colour pigments, then gently rinse off. These oils not only break down the dyes but also nourish your skin.

3. Natural Exfoliation: Create a gentle scrub with ingredients like gram flour or sugar mixed with oil or yoghurt. This helps remove the residual colour by lightly exfoliating the skin without being overly abrasive.

Do you play Holi? (Source: Freepik)

4. Use Micellar Water for the Face: Micellar water can be very effective for facial skin. It’s gentle and works by attracting and dissolving impurities—including stubborn colours—while keeping your skin hydrated.

5. Deep Conditioning for Hair: If your hair is affected, apply a deep conditioner or a hair mask that contains nourishing oils. Leave it on for a few minutes before rinsing thoroughly. This helps remove the colour while protecting your hair from dryness and damage.

Story continues below this ad

ALSO READ | Holi 2024: Celebrate in style with these fashion tips

Here’s what you should avoid

Dr Shareefa Chause, Dermatologist at Dr Shareefa Skincare Clinic, Mumbai shared the following list of points to keep in mind:

People tend to vigorously rub their skin to remove the stubborn Holi color. This can only irritate and also damage your skin. Try to be gentle.
Do not use hot water. It can make the holi color settle deeper instead of removing them.
Ditching oiling before the Holi can be a bigger mistake. This can make it feel like a mountainous task to get rid of the color. Always oil your skin before playing Holi.
Forgetting to apply a gentle moisturizer after cleaning your face and body can lead to dryness and rough skin. Apply a generous layer of moisturizer to keep your skin moist.
Most people tend to use chemical-based cleansers to remove the color. This can strip the natural oil and moisture from your skin. Always go for gentle and chemical-free cleansers.