Chhath puja is beautiful. The hymns by the ghats, the golden light at sunrise and sunset, and the quiet strength of fasting and devotion. But these rituals also mean long hours outdoors, limited meals, humid ghats, and smoke from countless lamps, all adding up to dehydration, pigmentation, and skin irritation. This guide walks you through how to care for your skin before, during, and after the festival, so it stays calm, nourished, and radiant.
Table of contents
How To Take Care Of Your Skin During Chhath Puja
How do Chhath rituals affect your skin
How to protect and nourish skin during Chhath Puja
Antioxidants and pollution defense
Oteria: Balancing tradition and skin science this Chhath
What is Chhath Puja
Chhath Puja is a traditional festival dedicated to the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya, celebrated with deep devotion across Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Nepal. The rituals involve standing in water during sunrise and sunset, fasting for extended hours, and staying outdoors for long stretches, often near smoky lamps and damp ghats.
How do Chhath rituals affect your skin
While Chhath puja is spiritually cleansing, the rituals can be harmful for your skin.
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Extended sun exposure: Standing by the water at sunrise or sunset still lets in significant UV and visible light which causes pigmentation, tanning and photoaging over time. Protecting skin during those hours matters.
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Fasting + lower water intake: Long fasts or altered eating/drinking rhythms can reduce hydration and the skin’s natural radiance; fine lines, dullness and flakiness may become more obvious.
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Ghats, smoke and pollution: River water, dust, incense and lamp smoke can irritate sensitive skin or eyes and leave residue that clogs pores. Clean, gentle care after the ritual helps. (Also: choose clean, safe ghats and heed local safety notices).
How to protect and nourish skin during Chhath Puja
During Chhath Puja’s uplifting rituals, your skin is tested by sun, water, fasting, and changing weather but a few mindful steps can keep your glow intact:
Cleanse after rituals
Immediately rinse your skin with clean water after returning from the ghats to remove any impurities or irritants left by river water or ritual smoke. Gently pat dry to avoid weakening your skin barrier.
Moisturize generously
Layer on a hydrating moisturizer. Look for soothing options like aloe vera gel, coconut oil, or a fragrance-free cream. This helps lock in moisture lost to fasting, sun, and water exposure.
Dress for breathability
Wear light cotton fabrics that allow your skin to breathe and wick sweat away. Change out of wet or damp clothing as soon as you finish rituals to lower the risk of fungal infections and rashes.
Guard against the sun
Soaking in gentle sunlight during Chhath Puja can naturally boost vitamin D and aid healing, but it’s wise to limit direct sun exposure to avoid dryness and sun damage. Before stepping out for rituals, apply a lightweight sunscreen or protective gel to all exposed areas, especially the face, arms, neck, and feet, helping your skin stay safe and comfortable.
Antioxidants and pollution defense
Rebalance skin after smoke or pollution by using an antioxidant serum (vitamin C is ideal) and hydrating barrier creams to minimize irritation from particulates and lamps.
Stay hydrated internally
Drink as much water or coconut water as allowed during non-fasting hours to help your skin recover from the dryness and dullness caused by ritual fasting and open-air exposure.
Oteria: Balancing tradition and skin science this Chhath
Oteria is a gender-neutral skincare brand rooted in the science of the circadian rhythm, creating vegan and reef-safe formulations that work in sync with your skin’s natural cycles. Each product is designed to protect, hydrate, and restore, without harming you or the environment. So as you celebrate Chhath Puja under the open sky, Oteria helps your skin stay balanced and radiant and to top it all, it’s kind to the waterbodies that are part of the ritual.
Aloe Hydrating Face Wash
Say goodbye to dryness and greet balanced, radiant skin with Oteria’s Aloe Hydrating Face Wash from the Afternoon Rhythm collection. This gentle yet powerful cleanser blends Aloe Vera to soothe and hydrate, Salicylic Acid to gently exfoliate and prevent breakouts, and Niacinamide to refine texture and lock in moisture.
Perfect for all skin types, this paraben-free formula helps restore hydration, strengthen the skin’s barrier, and keep pores clear. Whether you’re out in the sun offering prayers or recovering after rituals, it’s your everyday essential for calm, healthy, festival-ready skin.
Key ingredients
Aloe Vera: Retains moisture, soothes irritation, and promotes cell repair
Niacinamide (1%): Improves skin texture, strengthens the skin barrier, and controls oil production.
Salicylic Acid: A mild exfoliant that removes dead skin cells, unclogs pores, and helps prevent acne breakouts.
How to use
Pour an appropriate quantity into wet hands
Gently massage onto your face and neck, forming a lather
Rinse thoroughly with water and pat dry
Use twice daily, morning and evening, for best results
Caution
FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY. Keep protected from light and moisture at a temperature not exceeding 30°C. Keep out of reach of children.
Disclaimer: Results based on subjective evaluation. Since our products are made with natural ingredients/extracts they may change the colour and fragrance, but the performance of the product is unaffected.
Sun‑Kissed Suncare Gel
Beat sunburn and enjoy cooling relief with Oteria’s Sun- Kissed Suncare Gel, an essential addition to your daily Skincare routine! Infused with hydrating Aloe Vera and Antioxidant-rich Vegetable Pear, this sun protection gel goes beyond post-suncare relief.
This oil-free sun damage skin repair gel is an essential addition to any good skincare routine, offering comprehensive sun protection while nourishing the skin. It shields against UVA-induced DNA lesions and prevents photo-aging, all while preserving epidermal stem cells for a youthful glow. Whether you're maintaining your skincare regimen or recovering from a day outdoors, Oteria’s Sun-Kissed Suncare Gel has you covered!
This is not a sunscreen gel/lotion.
Key ingredients
Aloe Vera: Keeps skin hydrated and moisturised.
Vegetable Pear: Natural antioxidants to combat sun damage.
How to use
Take a pea-sized amount of gel into the palm and gently massage onto your face and neck in upward strokes.
Caution
FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY. Keep protected from light and moisture at a temperature not exceeding 30°C. Keep out of reach of children.
Disclaimer: Results based on subjective evaluation. Since our products are made with natural ingredients/extracts they may change the colour and fragrance, but the performance of the product is unaffected.
Velvet Dew Skin Lotion
Enriched with Aloe Vera to lock in moisture and relieve dryness, along with Natural Sugars to soothe dry, acne-prone skin, Oteria’s Velvet Dew Skin Lotion provides 72-hour hydration.
A must-have in your daily skincare routine, it combats age-induced skin dryness, acting as a barrier to prevent moisture loss while promoting a healthier, more vibrant complexion.
Key ingredients
Aloe Vera: Binds moisture to the skin, relieving dryness
Natural Sugars: Provides 72-hour long-lasting hydration.
How to use
Apply the required quantity of the product on the skin using upward strokes until completely absorbed.
Caution
FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY. Keep protected from light and moisture at a temperature not exceeding 30°C. Keep out of reach of children.
Disclaimer: Results based on subjective evaluation. Since our products are made with natural ingredients/extracts they may change the colour and fragrance, but the performance of the product is unaffected.
Check out our entire range of products here.
Takeaway
With Oteria as your skincare partner, you’re free to focus on prayer and devotion during Chhath Puja, while Oteria takes care of hydration, protection, and recovery for your skin. Its gentle, circadian rhythm–aligned formulas handle sun, fasting, pollution, and ritual stress in the background, keeping your skin calm and radiant so you can celebrate wholeheartedly.
FAQs
1. How can I take care of my skin during Chhath Puja?
To keep your skin healthy during Chhath Puja, cleanse gently after rituals, apply a hydrating moisturizer, and protect yourself from sun exposure with lightweight, breathable fabrics and sunscreen. Drink plenty of water during non-fasting hours and use calming, fragrance-free products to prevent irritation.
2. What skincare routine should I follow before Chhath Puja rituals?
A few days before Chhath, focus on hydration and barrier repair. Use a gentle exfoliant once or twice, apply a vitamin C serum for antioxidant protection, and use a rich moisturizer at night. On ritual days, start with a mild cleanser and sunscreen to protect from UV rays and pollution.
3. How does fasting during Chhath Puja affect the skin?
Fasting reduces the body’s hydration levels, which can make the skin dry, dull, or flaky. To prevent this, drink water or coconut water during permitted hours, and apply hydrating skincare with ingredients like aloe vera, glycerin, or hyaluronic acid to maintain your glow.
4. What type of sunscreen is safe to use during Chhath Puja rituals?
Choose a broad-spectrum, reef-safe, and water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Mineral-based sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are gentle on the skin and safe for waterbodies, making them ideal for rituals by the river.
5. How do I protect my skin from pollution and smoke during Chhath Puja?
After returning from the ghats, wash your face with a mild, sulfate-free cleanser to remove soot and impurities. Apply an antioxidant serum (like vitamin C) and a hydrating barrier cream to restore balance and reduce inflammation caused by smoke and dust exposure.
6. Can I use skincare products while performing Chhath rituals?
Yes, but keep it minimal and gentle. Use only non-greasy, lightweight, and water-safe products like hydrating gels or moisturizers. Avoid heavy makeup or fragranced creams that can clog pores or react with sunlight.
7. Are vegan or reef-safe skincare products better for Chhath Puja?
Absolutely. Vegan and reef-safe skincare, like Oteria’s formulations, are gentle on your skin and environmentally responsible. They ensure that while you stand in sacred waterbodies during rituals, no harmful chemicals affect aquatic life or water purity.
8. What are the best Oteria products for Chhath Puja skincare?
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Aloe Hydrating Face Wash: Cleanses and soothes with aloe vera, salicylic acid, and niacinamide.
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Sun-Kissed Suncare Gel: Repairs sun damage and cools skin with aloe vera and vegetable pear.
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Velvet Dew Skin Lotion: Locks in 72-hour moisture and relieves dryness with natural sugars.
These vegan, reef-safe formulas protect your skin during long outdoor rituals and help it recover naturally.