Pre-Diwali skincare: Prepping your skin for the glow

Want glowing skin for Diwali without a last-minute skincare panic? Between festive shopping, cleaning, late nights and endless preparations, skincare often takes a back seat.

The week before Diwali is usually filled with cupboard cleaning, choosing rangoli designs, Dhanteras shopping, painting diyas and decorating the house. These activities, along with dust, pollution and other environmental stressors, can leave your skin feeling dry, congested or tired.

Diwali is undoubtedly a festival of lights, sweets and celebration that lifts our mood and energy levels. However, to help our skin look fresh and radiant, it is important to prepare it well in advance and protect it from environmental stressors.

Starting a pre-Diwali skincare routine can help maintain healthy skin, support its natural barrier and keep it looking refreshed throughout the festivities.

1. Nighttime Routine

After removing makeup and cleansing your skin, nighttime is the ideal opportunity to focus on hydration and skin-barrier support.

Double cleansing can help remove stubborn pollutants, makeup residue and sunscreen, leaving your skin clean and refreshed.

Apply an oil-based cleanser to dry skin and massage gently in circular motions for about a minute to dissolve waterproof makeup, glitter, sunscreen and excess oil. Wet your hands with a little water to emulsify the product until it turns milky, then rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.

Follow with a gentle, hydrating face wash to remove any remaining dirt, dust and pollution residue.

2. Exfoliation

Gentle exfoliation about a week before Diwali can help remove dead skin cells and create a smoother surface for festive makeup. However, exfoliation is optional and not a compulsory step for achieving glowing skin.

Choose gentle exfoliants, such as mandelic acid or lactic acid, or enzyme-based products containing papain. These may be suitable options for many Indian skin types when used correctly.

Choose a skin-friendly mask based on your skin type and follow exfoliation with hydrating and barrier-repairing ingredients such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid or ceramides. Never skip daytime sunscreen.

Avoid combining multiple acids, physical scrubs and strong retinoids in the same week. If you have never exfoliated before, this is not the ideal time to experiment. Never exfoliate sunburnt, irritated or freshly waxed skin, or areas with cuts. Avoid trying multiple new treatments immediately before Diwali.

3. Under-Eye Care

Prepare the delicate under-eye area for Diwali with gentle hydration and soothing care to help reduce the appearance of puffiness and tiredness.

Use a lightweight moisturiser if the area feels dry, and avoid rubbing or pulling the skin.

A cool, clean compress can provide temporary relief from puffiness, although it will not permanently remove dark circles. Apply a cool washcloth or chilled cucumber slices for five to ten minutes.

Always wrap cold objects in a soft cloth to protect the skin. Avoid placing ice or frozen items directly on the delicate under-eye area.

You can also chill two clean tea bags after steeping them in warm water. Once they have cooled, squeeze out the excess liquid and place them over closed eyes for about 10–15 minutes. Remove them if you experience any irritation.

4. Home Remedies

As Diwali and winter approach, simple home remedies may help relieve dryness and keep the skin feeling moisturised.

Apply a thin layer of honey to the face for about ten minutes and rinse with water. If you have an aloe vera plant at home, the clear gel from the inner portion of the leaf can be applied to the skin for hydration. Always patch-test homemade ingredients before applying them to your face.

Grate a carrot and apply it as a face mask for 15–20 minutes before rinsing. Carrots contain beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A, and can be included in a nourishing skincare routine.

For normal to dry skin, mix half a teaspoon of honey, one teaspoon of rose water and one teaspoon of milk powder into a paste. Apply it to the face and rinse after 15–20 minutes.

Avoid applying mayonnaise or raw egg products to the face, as they may cause irritation or allergic reactions and are not proven skincare treatments.

Hair Care

Nourish your hair with a gentle oil treatment. Slightly warm olive oil and apply it to the scalp and hair. Dip a towel in warm water, squeeze out the excess water and wrap it around your head like a turban for a few minutes. Ensure the towel is comfortably warm and not hot.

This can help soften the hair and make the oil treatment more comfortable.

For oily hair, choose a gentle shampoo rather than applying raw egg white, which may be difficult to rinse out and can cause irritation.

For dry hair, a nourishing conditioner or hair mask can help improve softness and manageability, especially if your hair has been damaged by colouring, straightening or perming.

With a little preparation and consistent care, you can keep your skin and hair looking fresh, healthy and festive throughout Diwali.

(The author is an internationally famous beauty expert and is called the herbal queen of India)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Shahnaz Husain

Shahnaz Husain[email protected]