What your post-Holi ‘everything’ shower should look like, according to experts

The colours have settled, the celebrations are over, and your camera roll is proof of a Holi well-played. But while the festivities may have ended, your skin and hair are still dealing with the aftermath—stubborn stains, dryness, and that telltale post-Holi itch. Between prolonged sun exposure, synthetic pigments, and endless splashes of water, your skin’s moisture barrier takes a hit, and your hair isn’t far behind.

“The chemicals in colours combined with prolonged exposure to water and sun can strip your skin off its natural oils, leading to dryness. It can also cause irritation, itching, and allergic reactions, especially in individuals with sensitive skin,” explains Dr Niketa Sonavane, founder of Ambrosia Aesthetics. And while your instinct might be to scrub everything off in one go, an aggressive cleanse can do more harm than good.

That’s why what you do after Holi is just as important as your pre-festival prep. Recovery is a ritual, not a rinse and here’s exactly how to do it—expert-approved.

Body & face

Start with cleansing

Begin with cleansing the colour from your skin. “Use a gentle, oil-based cleanser to remove colours without stripping the skin’s natural oils,” explains Dr Chytra Anand, founder, Kosmoderma & SkinQ. According to Dr Sonavane any mild, hydrating cleanser too will help remove colour residue and impurities from the skin. If you’re looking for a natural cleanser, Dr Anand recommends mixing gram flour, water, and turmeric into a paste, and gently rubbing the mixture on to your skin.

Try:

Minimalist Oat Extract Gentle Cleanser

Sebamed Liquid Face & Body Wash

Exfoliate

The colours mixed with your skin’s natural oils, dirt, sweat, water, and other impurities, can travel deep into your pores and clog them. To combat this, Dr Sonavane recommends exfoliating the skin thoroughly once after cleansing. “Use a gentle exfoliating scrub to slough off dead skin cells and to unclog pores—this will also help remove any lingering colour particles,” she says.

Try:

SHISEIDO Waso Soft+Cushy Polisher

Nyveda Boost My Glow Radiance Activating Sugar Scrub

Mask up

Apply a soothing face mask with ingredients like aloe vera, cucumber or yoghurt to hydrate the skin. Dr Anand recommends mixing cucumber juice with aloe vera gel to help calm irritated skin.

Moisturise

Post-Holi skin can get dry and dehydrated, therefore both experts recommend finishing off your routine with a rich, nourishing moisturiser. “I’d suggest starting with a hydrating toner to restore the skin’s pH balance, and then apply a generous amount of moisturiser to soothe and hydrate the skin,” adds Dr Anand.