11 Holi Skin Damage Fixes That Work Overnight

7. Nighttime brightening serum (Vitamin C) — only when calm

Vitamin C serums help with superficial pigmentation and even skin tone, but timing matters. Don’t use vitamin C on red or actively irritated skin; wait until your skin feels calm and there’s no open damage. If irritation has subsided, choose a stable, low-to-moderate concentration (5–15%) of a vitamin C formulation and apply it at night to target darkened spots from Holi stains. Vitamin C works by interfering with pigmentation pathways and supporting collagen; overnight use taps into the skin’s natural repair phase. Apply a few drops to clean, dry skin and follow with a simple hydrating moisturizer to reduce potential stinging. Patch-test behind the ear or on the inner forearm for 24 hours before full-face application. If you notice tingling that quickly fades, that’s common; persistent burning or redness means stop and choose a gentler option like niacinamide. Using vitamin C carefully can kickstart pigment fading without risking further irritation.