Keep your skin glowing, avoid under-eye puffiness with these hydration, toning, and cleansing tips

The nine-day celebrations of Navratri are filled with vibrant dandiya and garba nights, lively Durga pooja pandals, and endless family gatherings. As the celebrations kick into high gear, all that excitement can take a toll on your skin, leaving it looking tired and dull. With back-to-back festivities, it’s easy to forget that skin care is just as important as picking out your outfits.

Owing to the stress of getting everything perfect for the festivities, your skin starts to show signs of exhaustion, says Shivangi Goel, CEO and Co- founder,The  Natural  Wash. “Dry patches, excess oil, dullness, and sudden breakouts are unwanted guests that show up just when you need to shine. That’s why it’s essential to give your skin some extra TLC (tender love and care!) during the festive period," she says.

Goel suggests the following tips to give your skin the extra love it needs to steal the show this festive season:

• Double cleansing: The secret to glowing skin starts with a clean base. Kick off your routine by gently melting away all the dirt, oil, and makeup that have been building up. A good cleansing balm followed by a refreshing foaming face wash will ensure your skin feels squeaky clean without being stripped of its natural moisture. Look for ingredients like rose, aloe vera, or nourishing oils to keep the skin balanced while cleansing. Furthermore, festivities demand that extra glow, so it’s essential to exfoliate away dead skin cells regularly. Opt for something gentle yet effective – fruit enzymes, AHAs, or natural clays are fantastic for sloughing off dullness without over-drying.

• Tone it up: Your skin can feel a bit raw after cleansing, more so if you have dry skin. So a hydrating toner is your best friend here. Toners infused with rose water, cucumber extracts, or aloe vera help calm, soothe, and refresh the skin while tightening pores. Bonus points if the toner also tackles any excess oil or redness, after all, smooth skin is a must when prepping for a big event!

• Hydrate: No skincare prepping routine is complete without locking in all that moisture. Reach for a hydrating cream packed with hyaluronic acid or soothing oils like almond and argan. This step ensures your skin stays supple and plump all through the day (or night!).

• Say it with serums: Serums are your ultimate skin saviours. Whether it’s Vitamin C for brightening, hyaluronic acid for plumping, or retinol for targeting fine lines, a serum is your targeted solution to all your skin concerns. They work behind the scenes to make sure your skin looks its absolute best under all those festive lights.

• Steer away from puffy-eyes: Late-night festive celebrations can lead to puffiness and dark circles. An eye cream with cucumber extracts or caffeine can work wonders to depuff and brighten your eyes, keeping you looking fresh and awake even after hours of dancing and partying.