Organic is the season's colour

play safe

The most vibrant of Indian festivals is just around the corner, with people gearing up for the riot of colours that leaves none untouched and brings out the child in you.

Yes! It is the season to be at your whackiest best, join in the spirit of the day, guzzle unlimited glasses of thandai, partake of bhang ke laddu and splurge on colour. For a day, the joy and verve of this festival makes people forget everything, even the harsh chemicals in the colour which can result in various skin problems, allergies and irritations that demand immediate care and sometimes even a visit to the doctor.
Not many are aware that the bright and cheap colours that beguile one into purchasing them are actually industrial grade colours being produced in the dye industry and being used as Holi colours. Lead oxide, copper sulphate, aluminium bromide and mercury sulphite make up the different eye-catching colours. Mixed with oxidised metals, industrial dyes, mica dust, powdered glass and sometimes masked with fragrances, in the absence of a brand, we end up buying chemicals to celebrate Holi.

So the first step to ensuring that Holi is both safe and enjoyable is to purchase the right colour . The markets are flooded with herbal and organic colours, a tad expensive may be, but well worth investing in for the sake of one’s skin and well-being.  This year celebrate Holi with natural, herbal and organic colours that are clinically tested and proven safe. These are colours extracted from natural spices and plants to produce natural-play colours. Yellow from turmeric, green from leaves, orange from annatto and pink from black carrots ensures that no chemicals or synthetic elements spoil the celebrations.

Using organic colours can also save the environment as the synthetic chemicals used in them have negative impact on the air, water, soil and environment as a whole. Whereas, natural colours are safe and eco-friendly, dispersing into the environment without harming it.

Dry skin, itching, pigmentation could be triggered due to synthetic colours while the use of natural colours can keep medical intervention at bay. Unlike other colours, that usually flood the market around this time, organic or natural colours do not affect the eyes, cause skin rashes or hair fall and neither do they have any side-effects if accidently consumed or inhaled. These colours are easy on the skin and clothes and can be easily washed away.

Dr Rohit Batra, dermatologist, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital shared tips for a safe Holi:

n Grease it up – Apply adequate oil, petroleum jelly, sun block on face, neck, ears, lips, hands and legs so that the colour slips off and does not stay on the body and enter the skin.

n Cover up – Cover as much as possible by wearing full sleeved clothes.

n Scalp protection – Give the scalp a proper ‘champi’, tie your hair to reduce the possibility of colours coming in contact with the scalp.

n Drink water – Drink a lot of water as colours contain harsh chemicals that leave the skin dry. Drinking a lot of water before and after playing Holi will replenish the body’s water levels.

n Handle with care – Wash off the face with lukewarm water with aroma oil, sea salt and glycerine to avoid harsh affects on the skin.

n Sturdy stains – To get rid of sturdy stains use natural bleaching elements like lemon or yoghurt.

n Stay herbal – Use organic colours. Avoid glitter, paint and metallic colours as they are harmful and cause skin allergies.