Holi is meant to be messy, loud, colourful and unapologetically fun. It is the one day when you step out knowing you will come back covered in colour, a little sunburnt, and happily exhausted. The trick is not to hold back, but to make sure your skin and hair are looked after before you head out and after you get back. Here is a line-up of essentials that let you focus on the fun and worry about the clean-up later.
Before You Step Out: Prep and Protect
1) HM Love Scalp and Hair Growth Oil
Oiling your hair before stepping out is one of the simplest ways to reduce damage from harsh colours. This lightweight oil, made with hibiscus and coconut milk, spreads easily without weighing hair down. It helps soften the hair shaft, reduces dryness, and makes it easier to wash colour out later without excessive pulling or breakage.
2) Lotus Herbals Safe Sun UV Screen Matte Gel SPF 50 PA+++
Most Holi celebrations happen outdoors, which makes sunscreen non-negotiable. A gel-based formula like this feels lighter on the skin and more comfortable in the heat. The matte finish helps avoid that heavy, greasy feeling and makes it easier to reapply during the day.
3) Engage Roll-On Deodorant
A long Holi day means heat, crowds and constant movement. A roll-on works closer to the skin and offers more dependable protection than a quick spray. Engage Roll-On is designed to deliver 72-hour sweat odour protection# and long-lasting freshness, making it a reliable choice when you know you will be out for hours. It is a zero percent alcohol deodorant* with a non-sticky formulation, clinically tested on Indian skin, helps protect against odour-causing bacteria, and is suitable for sensitive skin.
*Disclaimer: No Ethyl Alcohol. Based on a clinical study in 2024 by an independent CRO.
4) Biotique Bio Fruit Lip Balm SPF 25
Lips are often forgotten during Holi and usually feel it by evening. A lip balm with sun protection helps deal with both dryness and sun exposure. This one is easy to reapply through the day and helps prevent lips from feeling tight or chapped after hours outside.
After You’re Back: Cleanse and Reset
5) Vivel Red Aloe Vera & Cherry Blossom Shower Gel
A good shower sets the tone for recovery after a long day out. Enriched with the natural goodness of Red Aloe Vera and Cherry Blossom, this shower gel helps keep skin soft and hydrated while cleansing away colour, sweat and residue. Its plant-based cleansers and Vitamin E clean the skin gently without harshness. It is paraben-free and dermatologically tested, making it a comfortable choice when skin feels tired after hours in the sun.
6) Dot & Key Watermelon Gel Face Wash
After a day of colour, sweat and dust, skin needs a proper cleanse without being scrubbed raw. This gentle gel face wash is designed to cleanse while also soothing skin that feels tired or irritated after long hours outdoors. The watermelon-based formula helps refresh the skin and remove leftover colour, oil and residue without stripping away moisture, making it a good choice when skin feels more sensitive than usual after Holi.
7) Fiama Japanese Hokkaido Milk Bar Celebration Pack
Holi showers tend to be frequent, and the wrong soap can leave skin feeling dry very quickly. These bars are designed to cleanse while keeping comfort in mind. Made with Japanese Hokkaido milk and enriched with one-third skin moisturisers and Vitamin F, they create a rich, creamy lather that cleans without stripping away moisture. The fresh fragrance is a small but welcome reset when skin feels tired from sun and repeated washing.
The Days After: Repair and Restore
8) K Formula Complete Peptide Hair Care Routine
After Holi, hair is often left dry and stressed from colour, sun, and repeated washing. A step-based peptide routine works well as aftercare, not just for the day of Holi, but through the week that follows. It begins with a short pre-shampoo treatment, followed by a gentle shampoo and conditioner, supported by a leave-in treatment and a lightweight oil to restore moisture. The routine also includes a dry shampoo, which helps on days when you want to refresh your hair without washing it again. Used together, this approach helps hair recover gradually without feeling heavy.
9) Plum BodyLovin’ Vanilla Caramello Body Lotion
After multiple showers and a fair amount of scrubbing, skin often feels tight and dry. This lotion offers deep moisturisation and is enriched with cocoa butter to help nourish and hydrate the skin. It leaves skin feeling soft, smooth, and well-moisturised, which is especially important in the days after Holi when the effects of sun and colour start to show up.
10) Charmis Deep Radiance Hand Cream
Hands take the most beating during Holi, between colours, washing, and constant use of sanitisers. Made with Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin C, this hand cream provides deep nourishment and intense hydration, helping keep hands soft and comfortable instead of dry and rough. It is an easy step to add to your daily routine when skin is still recovering from frequent washing.
