Navratri is at the doorstep, and while you are preparing your dress, make-up, and dance moves for the nine nights of the festive season, don't forget to get your skin ready too! For, there is nothing that combines with traditional dressing and festive make-up better than a naturally glowing, healthy complexion.
With all the late night garba parties, roaming around, sweets, and unstable weather, your skin gets tested during this time. That is why having a festive skincare routine is not only a bonus, but an absolute necessity. So, whether you have oily, dry, or combination skin, this step-by-step guide will help you unlock that radiant, goddess-like glow during Navratri.
Why You Need a Skincare Routine of Its Own for Navratri?
Between Navratri, the focus shifts from regular routines to hectic puja preparation, dance nights, and hours of uninterrupted makeup and lights. It can lead to:
Breakouts due to sweat and makeup
Dullness due to dehydration and sleep interruption
Dry or flaky patches due to weather changes
Which is why building a pre-festive and during-festive skincare regimen is the key to having your skin radiate bright, hydrated, and camera-ready in a natural way.
Also Read: Pre-Festive Skin Care: 5 Easy Beauty Ingredients To Get That Superstar Glow – Infographic
Pre-Festive Prep: 5–7 Days Before Navratri
The countdown to Navratri is the perfect time to present your skin with a mini makeover! This pre-festival time, best if it happens 5 to 7 days before the day of celebration, is when your skin can use a little more pampering and indulgence. This can be your 'skincare sadhana' for preparation for puja time. In these ten days, your target has to be detoxifying, moisturizing, lightening, and healing your skin so that you are confident with self-reliance on Day 1 of Navratri and not too reliant on cosmetics.
Here is the complete diagnosis of how your daily and alternate-day skincare practices should look like in these crucial pre-festival days:
Cleanse the Right Way (Twice Daily)
Swap your regular cleanser with a sulfate-free alternative that doesn't rob natural oils. If you're using sunscreen or BB cream on a daily basis, use double cleansing, starting with an oil cleanser or micellar water followed by a gentle cleanser.
Why is this important?
Bright, clean skin is important for product penetration and keeps pores from getting clogged and breaking out as a result of dirt, makeup, or pollution left behind.
Exfoliate Carefully Every 2–3 Days
This is the time to say goodbye to rough scrubs and resort to chemical exfoliants like AHAs (lactic acid, glycolic acid) or plant fruit enzyme exfoliants like papaya and pineapple. These dissolve dead skin cells, unclog pores, and reveal new, radiant skin.
Pro Tip: Balance exfoliating with a calming toner to alleviate redness and sensitivity.
Feed Your Skin Serums
This is the ideal time to invest in serums that fight dullness, texture, and pigmentation.
Vitamin C increases collagen and lightens your skin
Niacinamide reduces pore appearance and evening skin tone
Hyaluronic acid intensely moisturizes and puffs up your skin
Order of Application: Cleanse → Toner → Serum → Moisturizer
Mask Up for the Glow (2–3 Times a Week)
Treat your skin to hydrating and glow-boosting masks. You can alternate between:
Aloe vera or rose extract sheet masks
Clay pore detox masks
Do-it-yourself masks like turmeric and honey or sandalwood and yogurt for lightening.
Timing Tip: Wear masks at night, after washing and before moisturizing.
Moisturize and Protect
It is not possible to achieve a healthy glow without proper moisture. Use a moisturizer based on your skin type:
Gel-based for oily skin
Cream-based for dry skin
Lotion or water-based for combination skin
And don't miss SPF during the day, even when indoors. UV rays can penetrate through windows and make your skin dull even before the celebrations begin.
Ideal Combination: Moisturizer + SPF 30+ during the day; barrier-repair cream at night
Pre-Navratri Week Bonus Glow Tips
Drink herbal teas like chamomile, green tea, or tulsi for detox
Pair antioxidant foods like berries, carrots, and spinach with your diet
Sleep 7–8 hours to reverse puffy eyes and eye shadows
Follow face yoga or gentle massage using a jade roller or fingers to improve blood flow
Daily Skincare Routine Pre & Post Makeup
Pre-Makeup: Glow Base Ritual
Start with cleaning your face lightly to remove dirt or oil from the skin surface. Finally, spritz with a hydrating mist or apply a toner to get your skin fresh and in balance. Next, use a light, gel-form moisturizer to lock in moisture without causing your skin to clog up. Finally, apply a primer that is suited for your type of skin; use a mattifying primer if your skin is oily or a hydrating primer if you have dry skin. This simple ritual conditions your skin, creates a smooth surface for make-up, and prevents clogged pores on festive days.
Post Makeup Removal (Night Time Routine)
Following your celebration day, start with double cleansing your face thoroughly to clean off all the makeup, sweat, and impurities. Next, apply a hydrating serum or a calming toner, look for calming agents like chamomile or cucumber to soothe your skin. Finally, apply a sleeping mask or a lightweight night cream that contains peptides or ceramides to repair and nourish your skin while sleeping.
Festival Skincare Tips That Work In Your Favor
Hydrate plenty: Drink 2–3L water per day
Snack wisely: Include fruits like papaya, orange, and pomegranate
Cut fried foods: Limit oil-soaked snacks to prevent breakouts
Sleep on time: Prioritize 7–8 hours of sleep to reduce puffiness
Conclusion
Navratri is the era of lights, festivities, and rainbow beauty, and your skin should get to be part of the celebrations. With the assistance of a thoughtful skincare routine and combining it with balanced eating and aware behavior, you can shine like the festivities themselves.
Start your glow-up routine at least a week prior and maintain it throughout the nine nights. By taking a few conscious steps, you won't only look pretty in selfies but feel pretty in your real glow no filter needed!
Frequently Asked Questions
When do I start my Navratri skincare routine?
Start prepping your skin at least 5–7 days before the beginning of Navratri.
Can I use home remedies during the festival?
Yes, self-made masks like yogurt + turmeric or honey + rosewater are quick and effective.
How do I prevent breakouts during the celebration?
Clean thoroughly, sleep makeup-free, and don't skip SPF or moisturizer.
What is the best festive glow serum?
Vitamin C and niacinamide serums are excellent for brightening and evening out the skin.
How do I keep glowing skin while wearing makeup on a daily basis?
Hydrate, well purify, and use barrier-repair night creams or sleeping masks.
(This article is reviewed by Kalyani Krishna Chief Content Editor)
Author Profile
Soumita Basu:
Soumita Basu holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Pharmacy and is keenly interested in Ayurveda, home remedies, yoga, fitness, diagnostics, and beauty. With nearly 6 years of experience, she produces evidence-based health content, including articles, videos, and infographics, to provide valuable insights to her audience.
