Holi is right around the corner, and we couldn’t be more excited. It is the most vibrant celebration in India and is characterised by joy, unity, enthusiasm, and the tradition of smearing colours. Though the colours play a pivotal role in Holi celebrations, the increasing use of harsh chemicals in synthetic colours can cause significant damage to one’s hair. These chemical-based colors often contain toxic substances such as heavy metals, artificial dyes, and harmful acids that lead to dryness, breakage, and even scalp infections.
If you are someone who’s concerned about the possible hair damage, it is recommended to switch the synthetic chemical-based colours with natural alternatives that are safe, eco-friendly and can be easily made at home. Read on to know more about the best natural alternatives to chemical-based synthetic colours that pose no threat to your hair and scalp health.
Why Avoid Chemical Holi Colours?
Before jumping into the section about alternatives, let’s first understand why we should avoid chemical-based holi colours in the first place. Many such colours available in the market contain:
- Heavy metals, including lead, chromium, and mercury, that can cause allergic reactions and scalp irritation.
- Artificial dyes that may cause excessive dryness, split ends, and hair breakage.
- Toxic substances that may cause long-term hair thinning and even premature greying.
- Harsh chemicals that strip the hair of its natural oils.
Best Natural Alternatives to Chemical Holi Colors
Holi is a festival of colours, so what’s the fun without it? If you are someone who doesn’t want to miss out on the fun and avoid all the harmful chemicals at the same time, here are some easy-to-make alternatives that will keep your hair protected:
Red Color – Hibiscus and Beetroot
For a vibrant and safe red colour, dry red hibiscus flowers and grind them into a fine powder. You can also blend beetroot with water and let it dry or mix beetroot juice with rice flour.
Blue Color – Blue Hibiscus and Indigo
Dry and grind blue hibiscus flower into a fine powder for a beautiful blue color. For a more traditional alternative, use indigo and mix it with flour to get a subtle blue tint.
Yellow Color – Turmeric and Gram Flour
If you are looking for something that can actually be good for your skin, try mixing organic turmeric with gram flour (besan) for a vibrant yellow color. A flower-based alternative can be marigold, which can be dried and ground.
Orange Color – Henna and Saffron
Natural Henna can be used as an alternative to chemical-based orange colours and is also great for hair conditioning. You can also soak saffron in water for a vibrant orange color and then mix it with rice flour for a dry powder form.
Green Color – Spinach and Neem
For an earthy green shade, blend fresh spinach leaves, dry the paste, and grind it into a fine powder. You can dry some neem leaves and crush them into powder.
Bottomline
Holi is one festival that every fun lover looks forward to, and being health conscious shouldn’t be the reason you miss out on it. The best way to navigate those waters is by switching to natural, homemade colours and celebrating Holi without harming yourself or the environment. Ditch chemical-laden colors this Holi 2025 and embrace the goodness of nature for a safe and happy celebration!